Caterpillar has won a military contract for rough terrain forklifts

The US Defence Logistics Agency (DLA) has awarded a contract for rough terrain forklifts with 10,000-pound (4,500 kg) lifting capacities to Caterpillar Inc's defence and federal products business unit.

Caterpillar will manufacture the forklifts for US Air Force service at a Clayton, North Carolina factory under a fixed-price contract with economic price adjustment provisions. The contract maximum is USD13.95 million, and the performance-completion date is 18 March 2010. The number of units was not disclosed. DLA solicited three proposals and received one response.

These forklifts "are used around the world at Air Force bases for quickly loading and unloading materials in support of our troops", says Jim Dugan, Caterpillar chief corporate spokesperson.

Typically, the Air Force transports the equipment using four-engine turboprop C-130 Hercules military aircraft.

A defence supply centre in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania manages this contract under its duties at the DLA troop support centre.

Peoria-based Caterpillar employed 112,887 people as of 31 December and reported profit of USD3.56 billion on 2008 sales of USD51.32 billion from its machinery, engines and financial-products businesses.