Even in tough economic times, Caterpillar, Inc. has registered impressive growth in sales and in stock value. With 2010 sales and revenues of $42.6 billion, Caterpillar is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives.  Fortune Magazine in May 2011 reported that, since the beginning of 2010, the price of the company’s shares has risen an astounding 88 percent. “That makes Cat by far the best-performing stock among the 30 components of the Dow index, which rose 18% overall during the same period,” reads the article, aptly titled “Caterpillar is Absolutely Crushing It.”