The Caterpillar manufacturing plant in Waco beat out every other Cat plant in the world — more than 100 — in an analysis of how they perform their tasks.

The recognition was for performance in 2008, and the maker of heavy equipment was so impressed that chairman and CEO Jim Owens joined three vice presidents in recently visiting the Waco facility at 2000 Texas Central Parkway. They were there to issue their congratulations.

“This is not really an award,” said Waco plant manager Adam Mize. “It is simply recognition that we had the top Cat production system assessment score in the world.”

Whatever it’s called, it is impressive.

To arrive at a score, Cat takes into consideration every aspect of production, including safety, quality, velocity and customer service, Mize said.

The Waco plant since late 2005 has been building 2,000- to 4,000-pound buckets for excavators.