November 6, 2020 – The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) presented Caterpillar Inc. with a trophy and banner to honor the Caterpillar 797F Mining Truck for being named the Coolest Thing Made in Illinois.
The truck beat out a field of more than 260 other products during the IMA’s inaugural “Makers Madness” competition, an online bracket-style tournament designed to showcase the many amazing products made by manufacturers across the state.
Nearly 300,000 votes were cast over the course of the competition earlier this year. An awards ceremony initially scheduled for April was delayed due to the pandemic.
A video honoring Caterpillar as well as all of this year’s finalists can be found at www.makersmadnessil.com.
Made in Decatur, the Caterpillar 797F is the world’s largest mechanical truck. Standing over 23 feet tall on six 13-foot tires, the 797F has best-in-class productivity and fuel-efficiency. With a top speed of 40 mph, it can haul 400 tons of payload on a single trip, which is equal to 13,000 bushels of soybeans or 686,000 ears of corn.
“Designed for mining and heavy-duty construction applications, this iconic truck is rugged and dependable – just like Illinois’ manufacturing sector,” said Mark Denzler, president and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. “We’re proud to recognize the Caterpillar Inc. team, particularly the men and women on the factory floor, for their dedication, hard work and innovative spirit. Manufacturers across Illinois are leading the way forward every day, from driving our economy and supporting working families to making life-saving products, equipping first responders and ensuring that our food supply is safe and strong.”
