Caterpillar Inc. announced that it has selected Rimco, a privately owned Puerto Rico-based company, to be the Cat dealer for Cuba. Currently, Rimco serves as the Cat dealer for Puerto Rico and the eastern Caribbean. Upon easing of trade restrictions, customers in Cuba will be able to purchase Cat products through Rimco in accordance with U.S. and Cuba regulations.
“We’re pleased to take this important step with our longtime partner, Rimco,” says Philip Kelliher, vice president with responsibility for the Americas & Europe Distribution Services Division. “Cuba needs access to the types of products that Caterpillar makes and, upon easing of trade restrictions, we look forward to providing the equipment needed to contribute to the building of Cuba’s infrastructure. This momentous announcement is part of our preparations in anticipation of the United States lifting its 55-year-old trade embargo on Cuba.”
Caterpillar, an advocate for change in policy toward Cuba for nearly two decades, will continue its work with the administration and Congress to end the embargo.
“We’re exceptionally proud of our 34-year relationship with Caterpillar,” says Richard F. McConnie, president of Rimco. “There is great affinity between Cuba and Puerto Rico as a result of our shared language, culture and traditions. Rimco will be honored to serve the Cuba market once the United States and Cuba re-establish commercial relations.”
On Dec. 17, 2014, President Obama announced that the United States would move to normalize relations with Cuba. Since that historic day, embassies have opened in each nation and there have been gradual steps to open diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries.
While steps remain until relations are fully normalized, including lifting the embargo, Rimco and Caterpillar will continue preparations to best serve the Cuban marketplace with construction and mining equipment, power systems, marine and industrial engines.
About Caterpillar
For 90 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making sustainable progress possible and driving positive change on every continent. Customers turn to Caterpillar to help them develop infrastructure, energy and natural resource assets. Caterpillar is a world-leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. For more information, visit caterpillar.com.
About Rimco
Rimco is the Caterpillar dealer for Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Islands. It is a privately held Puerto Rico company founded by the McConnie family in 1981. The company has built a strong reputation in the industry with its superior sales, rental and product support capabilities. Rimco sells construction equipment, power systems and engines to its customers in the construction, quarry and aggregates, waste, industrial, commercial and marine segments. Rimco also has a complete fleet of equipment and power systems available for rental through its five Cat Rental Stores located in Puerto Rico and Barbados. Additional information about the Rimco organization, its products and services can be found at www.rimcocat.com.
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