Many big manufacturers are still highly reluctant to discuss in detail how their online strategy — and sales — are performing given the competitive nature of business-to-business digital commerce.

Caterpillar Inc., one of the world’s largest construction equipment manufacturers, is a prime example. But recently, Caterpillar, a nearly 100-year-old company with 2021 sales of $51 billion, gave a glimpse of how well its ecommerce channel is doing.

And the answer is well, very well in fact. Over the next three years, Caterpillar expects its ecommerce sales, primarily for parts sold through its dealer websites and through its parts website, to grow at least 50%.