THE EXCAVATOR TRUST.  Bucyrus-Erie of Milwaukee might have been well-regarded enough to provide the machinery that dug the Panama Canal.  In the 21st Century global economy, however, it's just another division of Caterpillar.

Caterpillar has bought a company that has benefited from strong demand for mining equipment in Australia, Brazil, China and other countries because of high commodity prices - the company's earnings were up nearly 61% in its most recent quarter.

Nice to know Milwaukee's blue collar aristocrats aren't obsolete.