BOB VERPLANK introduced his friend and former employee, Bob 
Gellenbeck saying that he is the best mechanic that he knows, and he now works for Caterpillar. That company is the world's largest manufacturer of earthmoving equipment, diesel engines, and natural gas engines. Bob gave us a brief history of the company, adding that during the recent economic downturn, the sales remained strong. He then reviewed the types of engines the plant produces and how they are used. They are proud of the sustainable manufacturing process and the approximately 2,000 employees at the Lafayette plant who are focused on quality. The answer to one of the several good questions following the presentation was that two of the largest engines they make are produced every day and they cost $1.5 million each. One of these engines is capable of generating enough electricity to power 16,000 homes.
