The retiring trio includes large power systems and growth markets division VP Steve Fisher, parts distribution and diversified products division VP Steve Larson and electric power division VP Bill Rohner.

All will depart on February 1, 2014.

Fisher’s resignation is particularly notable because of the 35-year Cat veteran’s role in the OEM’s takeover of Bucyrus International, the largest acquisition in Cat history.

Industrial power systems and growth markets VP Tana Utley will replace Fisher as large power systems and growth markets VP effective October 1.

Utley first joined Caterpillar in 1986 as a junior engineer.

“In conjunction with this leadership change, Caterpillar is also announcing a realignment of parts of its reciprocating engine business to better align engine products with global customer requirements,” Cat said.

“As a result, the large power systems and growth markets led by Utley will be accountable for all Caterpillar and Perkins brand engines above 18 liters.”

Cat announced that, concurrent with Larson's retirement, it would strategically realign the company’s parts distribution and diversified products division and customer services support division, integrating the two arms into one.

VP Steve Gosselin, with Cat since 1979, will be at the helm.

Americas distribution services division VP Bill Finerty, meanwhile, will assume responsibilities for the newly realigned diversified products division. He is a 30-year Cat veteran.

Ramin Younessi will replace Utley in her former seat as industrial power systems and growth markets VP.

Pablo Koziner will serve as Americas distribution services VP upon the appointment transfer of Finerty, while 25-year Cat team member Steve Niehaus has been appointed electric power VP following Rohner’s retirement.

Finally, to improve Cat’s strategic planning process, it has selected corporate controller Mike DeWalt as VP of the newly created strategic services division.

“The strategic services division includes strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, investor relations, economics, business risk management and competitive analysis,” the company said.

“The … division will lead the strategic planning process from underlying economics to development of corporate strategy with Caterpillar's executive office to linking the company's strategy to Caterpillar's business units, through the implementation of growth strategies that involve mergers and acquisitions and communication of strategy and execution to Caterpillar's shareholders.”

DeWalt first joined the OEM in 1981. He will assume his new position on October 1.

Group chief financial officer for energy and power systems Jill Daugherty has been tapped to succeed him in his corporate controller seat. She first joined Cat in 1990.

“These moves align with Caterpillar's strategy and will add to the depth of Caterpillar's executive leadership ranks,” the company said.