The 2022-2023 version of Caterpillar’s annual Global Operator Challenge will be bigger and more competitive, with the inclusion of a wider range of construction machines and dealers in nearly 40 countries.

The global construction equipment leader said it is inviting machine operators around the globe to put their skills and precision to the test in the 2022-2023 Global Operator Challenge, which will be its biggest yet, with the inclusion of 80 Cat dealerships. The event is the platform for operators to prove their excellence in safely and efficiently operating Cat machinery and its 2019-2020 edition saw 67 Cat dealers host local competitions, and operators from 30 countries participating. The 2022-2023 competition will be Caterpillar’s largest construction industry event of its kind.

Tony Fassino, group president of Construction Industries at Caterpillar, said: “More than 80 Cat dealers will host local, one-of-a-kind competitions, celebrating equipment operators and enabling them to showcase their exceptional skills in fun and dynamic ways. Whether their expertise lies in digging a trench, moving aggregates or managing demolition, our Global Operator Challenge will be demanding for even the most experienced operators.”

The first round is March–September 2022, and dealers will feature three different challenges on three separate pieces of equipment. Scoring is based on the operator’s skills, efficiency, as well as his or her competence in using integrated technology to enhance the machine’s performance.

“I’ve been operating Cat machines for more than 15 years,” said Jaus Neigum, owner of Industrial Backhoe Ltd. in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada and the 2019-2020 Global Operator Challenge champion. “Having the opportunity to demonstrate my skills and compete against peers from around the world was one of the most rewarding experiences in my career. And, if you’re a business owner like me, I encourage you to put forward your best operators, because this competition is going to be even bigger and better than the last one.”

Qualifiers from the local dealer events will then move to regional semi-final competitions in October 2022. Nine finalists will emerge from the regional semi-finals and participate in the final competition in March 2023 at Caterpillar’s outdoor Festival Grounds exhibit during CONEXPO-CON/AGG in Las Vegas, USA. The winner will receive an all-expense-paid trip for two to a Caterpillar facility worldwide.