Caterpillar was formed in 1925 through the merger of The Holt Manufacturing Company and C. L. Best Tractor Co. Caterpillar is a manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines. The company reported sales and revenues of more than $30 billion in 2004. Caterpillar has production facilities in 49 states within the United States and 59 facilities in 22 countries worldwide. The company also maintains a large dealer network that serves the needs of customers in more than 200 countries, with approximately half of the company s sales originating from outside of the U.S. In 2003, the company began offering a line of clean diesel engines, fully compliant and certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Caterpillar's breakthrough emissions control technology, known as ACERT, is designed to comply with EPA standards without sacrificing performance, reliability or fuel efficiency. James W. Owens has been the chief executive officer of Caterpillar for more than two years. He has been with the heavy equipment manufacturer for over 34 years. Owens earned a BS degree and PhD from North Carolina State University. Caterpillar maintains a location in Decatur, Ill.