James Brophy currently manages a global machine supply plant for Caterpillar. The
Sanford, NC, plant is home to the Skid Steer, Compact and Multi-terrain loaders
as part of Caterpillar's growing Compact Construction Equipment business.
In this position, Brophy leads Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain,
Quality, Facility Engineering, and the Paint facility.
Brophy has been at Caterpillar for over 38 years enjoying assignments in Operations,
Supply Chain, Marketing/Sales, Product and General Management both in North America
and Europe. These assignments were in the Machine, Engine, Parts and Agricultural
segments of Caterpillar's business portfolio.
He is a graduate of the University of Illinois – Springfield and the University
of Illinois – Champaign for both his undergraduate and graduate degrees in
the field of business administration. Brophy's lean experience has been ongoing
in both the Engine division and in various roles within the Building Construction
Products Division within the Operations and Supply Chain groups both before and
after the introduction of the Caterpillar Production System.
Brophy has participated in and supported both United Way and Easter Seals for many
years, most recently engaging with United Way as part of an Educational Grant Program
sponsored by the Gates Foundation. He continues to work in support of the local
educational supply chain at the high school and junior college level to provide
students with quality vocational education.