Caterpillar Joins Ford, Lowe’s in DEI Rethink as Backlash Grows

Caterpillar Inc. is introducing new guidelines on external sponsorships and donations as part of a review of some of its DEI initiatives, after anti-diversity activist Robby Starbuck told the company he was preparing a social media attack against its policies.

The construction and mining equipment maker said it will focus all employee training programs on fostering “high performance,” require senior manager approval for external speakers at company events, and implement new guardrails around its employee resource groups. The changes were communicated in a letter to employees that Starbuck shared on his social media page.

Caterpillar spokesperson Joan Cetera confirmed the ...