CATERPILLAR INC 8-K

What Happened
Caterpillar Inc. announced on January 6, 2026 (filed via Form 8‑K) that D. James Umpleby III will resign from the Board effective April 1, 2026. Mr. Umpleby, who served as the Company’s CEO from 2017–2025 and as Executive Chairman, will step down as a director on that date. On April 1, 2026, current CEO and director Joseph E. Creed will assume the title of Chairman of the Board. The Board also approved reducing its size from ten to nine directors effective the same date.

Key Details

• Resignation effective date: April 1, 2026.
• Outgoing director: D. James Umpleby III — 45 years of service; CEO from 2017 to 2025.
• Incoming chairman: Joseph E. Creed — currently CEO and a sitting director; will assume Chairman title on April 1, 2026.
• Board size change: reduced from 10 to 9 directors effective April 1, 2026.
• Corporate governance update: Board adopted Amended and Restated Bylaws (Jan 6, 2026) renaming the “Presiding Director” role to “Lead Independent Director.”

Why It Matters
This filing documents a planned leadership transition at Caterpillar: the company’s CEO will take on the Chairman title while the long‑time Executive Chairman leaves the Board. For investors, that signals a consolidation of top leadership roles and an immediate change to Board composition and governance documents. The bylaw update renaming the Presiding Director to Lead Independent Director is a formal governance adjustment that clarifies director titles but does not by itself change disclosed responsibilities.