Our Values in Action: Caterpillar's Worldwide Code of Conduct
Our Values in Action: Caterpillar's Worldwide Code of Conduct
Our Values in Action: Caterpillar's Worldwide Code of Conduct
EXCELLENCE
TEAMWORK
COMMITMENT
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CATERPILLAR PEOPLE COME FROM MANY PLACES. OUR BACKGROUNDS AND EXPERIENCES ARE DIFFERENT. SO ARE THE BUSINESSES WE WORK FOR WITHIN CATERPILLAR EACH WITH ITS OWN UNIQUE CULTURE AND CHARACTER. AND WE ARE CLEARLY A BETTER COMPANY BECAUSE OF THIS DIVERSITY. BUT WHAT BRINGS US TOGETHER?
I believe the answer lies in our roots and the Caterpillar culture thats grown from this foundation over the years. Our Worldwide Code of Conduct, rst published in 1974, denes what we stand for and believe in, documenting the uncompromisingly high ethical standards our company has upheld since its founding in 1925. This updated version builds on that heritage and takes it a step further by explicitly describing the values-based culture we are building across our company. The Code of Conduct is the most important document we produce at Caterpillar. Its purpose is not to provide a set of rules that covers every situation or challenge we may face, but to serve as a daily guide for putting our values in action. It explains what integrity, excellence, teamwork, and commitment mean to us and how we use these values to make sound, ethical decisions in the best interests of all Caterpillar stakeholders.
When we all work to understand the values contained in this document and guide our individual behavior by them, we protect one of our greatest assets our reputation. Every decision we make, every action we take, can affect employee morale, the way the world perceives our company and the sustainable results we achieve factors that impact our own lives and livelihoods. In great measure, we have achieved our worldwide leadership position by upholding our reputation for acting with the highest values and principles. We will continue to lead only if we keep that reputation intact. Generations of Caterpillar people before us built an honorable reputation and exceptional culture through their words and deeds. Now its our turn to carry the banner. What a tremendous responsibility and opportunity. Lets work together to make those who came before us proud and set an example for those who will follow. Thanks in advance for taking the time to read and understand our Code of Conduct and more importantly, for taking personal responsibility to be sure we always live up to these expectations.
JAMES W. OWENS
INTEGRITY
The Power of Honesty
INTEGRITY IS THE FOUNDATION OF ALL WE DO.
It is a constant. Those with whom we work, live and serve can rely on us. We align our actions with our words and deliver what we promise. We build and strengthen our reputation through trust. We do not improperly inuence others or let them improperly inuence us. We are respectful and behave in an open and honest manner. In short, the reputation of the enterprise reects the ethical performance of the people who work here.
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WE COMPETE FAIRLY
Caterpillar believes that fair competition is fundamental to free enterprise. In relationships with competitors, dealers, suppliers, and customers, we avoid arrangements that restrict our ability to compete with others. There must be no arrangements or understandings with competitors affecting prices, terms upon which products are sold, or the number and type of products manufactured or sold.
WE ENSURE ACCURACY AND COMPLETENESS OF OUR FINANCIAL REPORTS AND ACCOUNTING RECORDS
Investors, creditors, and others have a legitimate interest in our companys nancial and accounting information. The integrity of Caterpillars nancial reports and accounting records is based on validity, accuracy, completeness, timeliness and understandability of basic information supporting entries to the companys books of account. We will ensure every accounting or nancial entry accurately reects that which is described by the supporting information. We expect employees involved in creating, processing, or recording such information to be personally responsible for its integrity. The same standards of integrity that apply to external nancial reporting also apply to the nancial statements that are used as internal management tools.
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EXCELLENCE
The Power of Quality
WE SET AND ACHIEVE AMBITIOUS GOALS.
The quality of our products and services reects the power and heritage of Caterpillar the pride we take in what we do and what we make possible. We are passionate about people, process, product, and service excellence. We are determined to serve our customers through innovation, continuous improvement, an intense focus on customer needs, and a dedication to meet those needs with a sense of urgency. For us, Excellence is not only a value; it is a discipline and a means for making the world a better place.
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WE SELECT, PLACE AND EVALUATE EMPLOYEES BASED ON THEIR QUALIFICATIONS AND PERFORMANCE
Caterpillar selects employees, and places them in positions, based on their personal qualications and skills for the job. We evaluate and reward employees based on the quality of the work they do and the contributions they make to Caterpillar.
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WE ACCEPT NOTHING BUT THE BEST QUALITY IN OUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
Our strong commitment to excellence, and our focus on the needs of our customers, drives us to continuously improve the quality and reliability of our products and services. Historically, we have been recognized for providing the highest quality. Our continued success depends on exceeding the quality expectations of our customers and standing behind everything we do.
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WE FOCUS ON DELIVERING THE HIGHEST VALUE TO OUR CUSTOMERS, ALWAYS WITH A SENSE OF URGENCY
We have built a reputation for excellence by listening to our customers, understanding their needs, and delivering products and services that help them succeed. Our customers expect the best from Caterpillar, and each of us must ensure that our individual decisions and actions contribute to a positive perception of the company, enhance our customers satisfaction, and promote their loyalty. We aim to deliver the highest possible value in the products and services we offer to our customers and to deliver that value with a sense of urgency. Our commitment to continuous improvement in all we do makes that possible.
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TEAMWORK
The Power of Working Together
WE HELP EACH OTHER SUCCEED.
We are a team, sharing our unique talents to help those with whom we work, live and serve. The diverse thinking and decision making of our people strengthens our team. We respect and value people with different opinions, experiences and backgrounds. We strive to understand the big picture, then do our part. We know that by working together, we can produce better results than any of us can achieve alone.
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WE BUILD OUTSTANDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR DEALERS AND DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL MEMBERS
Our dealers and other distribution channel members serve as a critical link between our company and our customers worldwide. We rely on them to participate with us as partners in building and maintaining the long-standing customer relationships that have made Caterpillar successful. We value their positive contributions to our reputation and their deep commitment to the customers and communities they serve. We sustain our outstanding relationships with them through trust, communication and shared rewards. We work constantly with them to provide products, services, and support solutions necessary to satisfy customer needs worldwide.
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COMMITMENT
The Power of Responsibility
WE EMBRACE OUR RESPONSIBILITIES.
Individually and collectively we make meaningful commitments rst to each other, and then to those with whom we work, live and serve. We understand and focus on the needs of our customers. We are global citizens and responsible members of our communities who are dedicated to safety, care for our environment, and manage our business ethically. We know it is both our duty and our honor to carry the Caterpillar heritage forward.
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WE PROTECT OUR HARD ASSETS, OUR BRANDS AND OUR OTHER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
We go to extraordinary lengths to preserve, protect, and responsibly use all of our assets. This includes tangible as well as intangible assets, such as our brands, technology, business information, and intellectual capital. We will not make unauthorized disclosure of trade secrets or other sensitive information belonging to the company, our customers, dealers or suppliers either during employment by our company or thereafter. While we may hire individuals who have knowledge and experience in various technical areas, we do not employ people as a means of gaining access to trade secrets and sensitive information of others. We have a personal responsibility to use every appropriate means to safeguard our companys assets from loss, theft, or misuse.
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NO RETALIATION POLICY
Caterpillar will not take any action against you as a result of raising an ethical issue in good faith. Also, Caterpillar does not tolerate any reprisal by any individual against an employee for raising a concern or making a report in good faith. If you are not able to get an answer to a question, or resolve an issue, under the Code of Conduct by working with your supervisor or local management, you can contact the Ofce of Business Practices: Direct Telephone: +1-309-494-4393 (English only) Toll-free Helpline: Caterpillar maintains toll-free Helpline numbers in various countries. Inside Canada, the United States and the U.S. Virgin Islands the number is 1-800300-7898. Toll-free numbers currently in effect for other countries are posted on the Caterpillar Intranet at https://codeofconduct. cat.com, and language translation is available for those numbers. Call Collect Helpline: +1-770-582-5275 (language translation available) Condential Fax: +1-309-494-4818 Internet E-Mail: [email protected] You can request a copy of the Ofce of Business Practices Data Privacy Statement using any of the methods listed above.
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16. Prohibition Against Certain Payments To Public Ofcials 17. Freer Trade 18. Public Communications 19. Employment of Relatives 20. Positions With Organizations Other Than Caterpillar 21. Safeguarding Condential Information 22. Production/Parts Material Priorities 23. Security of Electronically Processed Information 24. Modems Attached to the Caterpillar Network 25. Electronic Communications 26. Government Contracts 27. Data Privacy
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