Mantrac Kenya, the sole authorised dealer representative of Caterpillar in the country, hosted a landmark centennial celebration in Nairobi to mark 100 years of Caterpillar globally and its century-long presence in Kenya.
The high-profile event brought together senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, Caterpillar executives, Mantrac leadership, customers, partners, and media, underscoring the enduring impact of Caterpillar’s operations in Kenya over the past century. The celebrations highlighted Caterpillar’s deep-rooted contributions to Kenya’s industrial, agricultural, energy, and infrastructure development since it first entered the market.
Speaking at the celebration, Nigel Lewis, Chief Operating Officer of Mantrac Group, reflected on the journey of Caterpillar in Kenya, noting that it closely mirrors the company’s global story of resilience and innovation.
“From roads and infrastructure that fuel the country’s growth, to expanding production at farms, to powering communities and modern data centres, our machines and power generation solutions have helped transform ambitions into realities,” Lewis said. “This centennial is not only a celebration of the past but a promise to continue building Kenya’s future together.”
Lavanya Ajesh, Vice President Distribution – Africa of Caterpillar, delivered keynote remarks that underscored the multinational’s enduring commitment to Kenya through its partnership with Mantrac. She emphasized that Caterpillar’s values and mission remain as relevant today as they were a century ago.
“While our products may look different from a century ago, our mission remains the same: to power growth, uplift communities, and build Kenya, one century at a time,” Ajesh noted. She further highlighted Caterpillar’s philanthropic footprint, pointing out that the Caterpillar Foundation has invested over USD 24 million since 2015 to support education, skills development, and community initiatives in countries where Mantrac operates.
The centennial celebration in Nairobi was not only a look back at Caterpillar’s legacy in Kenya but also a forward-looking commitment to continue driving innovation, sustainability, and shared prosperity for the next century.
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