"Caterpillar Visitors Center to open October 2012" (& Peoria factory tours?)

Hey JFireBaugh,

I don't know all the rules, but a lot of the invites to tours comes from the dealers. Maybe Catalac or Ken Bates can help here. PM them.-glen

When I went though some of the buildings in Peoria some years ago I got in because my wife had relatives working there. I was told by our local Cat Salesperson, that he has had to set up tours by requesting through the dealership. I know when we went through Cat in South Milwaukee it was Lee Sorbel that got that set up. The ACMOC office may be able to help also.

Terry

John, Caterpillar still is sticking to the 10/20/2012 opening. I know Kent has been very busy working on some displays for them, and when I was there last week, the activity level is intense to meet the deadline (both for Kent and for Caterpillar). We have talked about an event coordinated with Caterpillar but that is still in negotiation and won't likely be until next year.

I wish I could wave a wand and coordinate a tour, but I usually am invited and have never had to arrange one. The last one I went on with Chapter 4 was managed by the sales rep at the local Caterpillar dealership. Perhaps you could contact your rep for help?

Thanks to everyone for their input.

Based on Bruce's information, it looks like my timing will be about 7 to 10 days early for the Visitor's Center grand opening, as the convention I'm going to in Kansas City ends on Friday the 5th. Oh well, I guess we'll just have to miss the initial Visitor Center crowds (LoL) and perhaps try again in 2013!

As far as a plant tour, it's as I suspected, Cat has a much higher bar in terms of how one can get a plant tour which is only through a local Cat Dealer. For those of us who have only bought an antique Cat, those purchases don't usually come with a Cat Sales Rep. or Dealership "relationship". I don't think the Cat parts counter guy (Holt of CA) I've worked with would really count. In a way I understand this, as it’s true that I haven’t spent hundreds-of-thousands of dollars at my local Cat Dealer.

That said, unlike John Deere, Cat obviously sees their Plant Tours simply as a “customer reward”, whereas John Deere sees them as a general on-going public relations opportunity! Not unlike the past history of both companies where John Deere shared their hydraulics knowledge and Cat shared their diesel engine knowledge, I would say that Cat could learn from John Deere that public plant tours are great opportunities for positive public relations. Bruce, have you ever heard if Cat has spoken of expanding their Plant Tour opportunities once the new Visitor Center becomes operational? I’m just curious.

One future idea for an added “amenity” to our ACMOC Membership could be that a membership includes access to a Cat Plant Tour, with prior arrangement being made through the ACMOC office or the new Cat Visitor Center. Perhaps this would be a worthy suggestion for the Board to kick around with Cat someday. 👍

John

John, I do not think it a what you are thinking of. When we went through South Milwaukee. We had to have a list of the names of all who were going on the tour. I have been through Fairbanks-Morse and it is the same there. They are working on goverment contracts. I do know from talking to the person in charge at South Milwaukee. He had no problem setting up tours there as long as he had some lead time. Dave Tallon is on the list and he might give some insight as he works there. Heck give the main office a call and ask. They might have a tour setup they can put you in. Remember, no photos and no open toe shoes.
Terry
PS I do not have any machines newer than a 1939 so I am out of luck at the dealer also.

Thanks to everyone for their input.

Based on Bruce's information, it looks like my timing will be about 7 to 10 days early for the Visitor's Center grand opening, as the convention I'm going to in Kansas City ends on Friday the 5th. Oh well, I guess we'll just have to miss the initial Visitor Center crowds (LoL) and perhaps try again in 2013!

As far as a plant tour, it's as I suspected, Cat has a much higher bar in terms of how one can get a plant tour which is only through a local Cat Dealer. For those of us who have only bought an antique Cat, those purchases don't usually come with a Cat Sales Rep. or Dealership "relationship". I don't think the Cat parts counter guy (Holt of CA) I've worked with would really count. In a way I understand this, as it’s true that I haven’t spent hundreds-of-thousands of dollars at my local Cat Dealer.

That said, unlike John Deere, Cat obviously sees their Plant Tours simply as a “customer reward”, whereas John Deere sees them as a general on-going public relations opportunity! Not unlike the past history of both companies where John Deere shared their hydraulics knowledge and Cat shared their diesel engine knowledge, I would say that Cat could learn from John Deere that public plant tours are great opportunities for positive public relations. Bruce, have you ever heard if Cat has spoken of expanding their Plant Tour opportunities once the new Visitor Center becomes operational? I’m just curious.

One future idea for an added “amenity” to our ACMOC Membership could be that a membership includes access to a Cat Plant Tour, with prior arrangement being made through the ACMOC office or the new Cat Visitor Center. Perhaps this would be a worthy suggestion for the Board to kick around with Cat someday. 👍

John

[quote="jfirebaugh"] Bruce, have you ever heard if Cat has spoken of expanding their Plant Tour opportunities once the new Visitor Center becomes operational? I’m just curious.

One future idea for an added “amenity” to our ACMOC Membership could be that a membership includes access to a Cat Plant Tour, with prior arrangement being made through the ACMOC office or the new Cat Visitor Center. Perhaps this would be a worthy suggestion for the Board to kick around with Cat someday. 👍

John[/quote]

John, at the last meeting, Cat indicated that the VIP tours that are arranged through the dealers would be originating at the visitor's center. As far as offering it to the general public, I haven't heard. It is something I could ask for clarification on next chance I get down there. Also, as far as expanding the membership benefits to include tours, that is something that we should inquire about. Again; next chance we are down in Peoria.

Too bad your convention didn't bring you closer to the Windy City. It'd be nice to see you. I hope you have fun at the convention and at JD. Maybe when you make it to the Visitor's center, we can get to have a cuppa joe.

The 3 Old Farts arrived in Peoria one afternoon last month, went to the tourist information centre and were told it was not possible to get a factory tour, had to be organised by a dealer. I got the ladies phone number that manages the corporate tours, and called her. With the usual amount of BS that I speak, she organised for the 3 of us to have our own personal tour at 10.00am the next morning. We had a fantastic tour and appreciate the effort that was made by Caterpillar for us. Just goes to show that us Downunder peoples that are bi lingual, ie; speak English & BS 😆 can manage almost anything.

With your Aussie accent Neil, the gal at Cat. Tours probably didn't understand a word you said to her on the phone and probably assumed you were the International Marketing Manager for Cat., and if she wanted to keep her job on Monday she better not say no to the big Kohuna who wanted to show some bigshots around!😆
Mike