Caterpillar Hosting 2023 Global Operator Challenge Finals at CONEXPO

The finals will determine the "world’s best equipment operator" through various challenges showcasing the ability to operate Cat equipment.

The finals will determine the 'world’s best equipment operator' through various challenges showcasing the ability to operate Cat equipment.
The finals will determine the "world’s best equipment operator" through various challenges showcasing the ability to operate Cat equipment.
Caterpillar
Caterpill 10210679

After two rounds of putting their heavy machinery and technology skills to the test, only nine of the original 5,500 operators are left in Caterpillar’s Global Operator Challenge. The final round of competitions will take place inside the company’s outdoor Festival Grounds exhibit F4455 during CONEXPO-CON/AGG March 14-18 and will also be live-streamed on Caterpillar's official website.

The finals will determine the "world’s best equipment operator" through various challenges showcasing the ability to operate Cat equipment.

“This competition started with thousands of operators from different industries registering for the challenge,” said Jessica Nunley, global marketing manager for Caterpillar. “After narrowing down the contestants to just 5,500 participants in the first round hosted by Cat dealers around the world, 84 semifinalists advanced to our regional competitions held at Caterpillar sites in Europe, North America, South America and Asia. We are excited to challenge the skills of the nine finalists left standing and crowning this year’s Global Operator Challenge Champion.”

The three challenges and the machines involved will not be revealed to the finalists until just two days before the event. Further, Jaus Neigum, the 2020 World Champion, helped design one of the challenges for this year’s finals.

Global Finalists

“These nine finalists have proven to be among the top performing equipment operators not only in their region but in the world,” said Matt Smith, global marketing manager for Caterpillar. “The competition will be the ultimate test of their ability to master any of our machines and technology.”

Representing Europe:

Pontus Ericksson – Sweden, Credit: Caterpillar

Sebastian Behr – Germany (placed third in the 2020 Global Operator Challenge), Credit: Caterpillar

Łukasz Mokrzyński – Poland, Credit: Caterpillar

Representing Americas:

John Schiedeck – United States, Credit: Caterpillar

Matt Ferris – United States, Credit: Caterpillar

Fernando Do Nascimento – Brazil, Credit: Caterpillar

Representing Asia-Pacific:

Patrick Doheny – Australia, Credit: Caterpillar

Masato Imai – Japan, Credit: Caterpillar

Nick Thompson – Australia, Credit: Caterpillar

Joining the Action

To advance to the final round of competition, these finalists have executed a range of tasks using a variety of Cat equipment technology. Competitions have included digging trenches to targeted depths, hitting target material loads and hauling or maneuvering the equipment through a variety of obstacles. The final round will be a major test of their precision, as scoring is based on the operator’s skills, efficiency and competence in using integrated technology for machine performance.

“We want spectators from all over the world to watch the final competition during CONEXPO-CON/AGG in Las Vegas,” said Nunley. “In addition to being able to attend in-person, we will be livestreaming the competition on our website from start to finish, as well as providing updates and sharing the operators’ machine expertise on our social media platforms.”

Spectators can follow the action during the competition on the company's official global social media pages: 

  • North America
  • Latin America
  • Europe
  • Australia
Request More Information
Fill out the form below to request more information about Caterpillar Hosting 2023 Global Operator Challenge Finals at CONEXPO
Latest