What Perkins Engines does

Perkins Engines Company Limited, founded in 1932 in Peterborough, UK, and wholly-owned by Caterpillar Inc. since 1998, designs and manufactures off-highway diesel and gas engines spanning displacements of 0.5 to 36 liters. Its product portfolio comprises 14 engine series (400, 904, 1100, 1200, 1500, 1700, 2200, 2400, 2500, 2600, 2800, 4000, and 5000) covering 8.2-597 kW (11-800 hp) for industrial applications and 4-2500 kVA for electric power generation, plus a marine propulsion and auxiliary range. More than 21 million engines have been manufactured since founding, with 5+ million currently in operation powering over 5,000 different applications worldwide. Recent launches at CONEXPO 2026 and Metstrade 2025 extend the portfolio into hydrogen hybrid Industrial Open Power Units (Project Coeus, co-developed with Equipmake and Loughborough University), drop-in battery-electric power units, and a new modular marine range.

Commercially, Perkins operates an OEM-embedded go-to-market, embedding engines into equipment from 800+ original equipment manufacturers globally. Distribution is executed through a network of 90+ authorized distributors spanning 177 countries, supplemented by an online parts store (shop.perkins.com), regional sales centers, and a Customer Machine Engineering Team (CMET) that collaborates with OEMs on integration. Revenue is generated primarily through hardware sales of engines, complemented by genuine parts, overhaul kits, replacement engines, and extended-warranty programs (Perkins Platinum Protection, up to 10 years) covering a registered base of more than 450 million engine serial numbers. Pricing is quotation-based and not publicly disclosed, reflecting project-driven OEM contracts and distributor-channel resale. The customer base is vertically diversified across construction/earthmoving, agriculture, electric power (including data centers and hospitals), marine, industrial, rental, and material handling. Strategic positioning centers on durability, emissions compliance across global regulatory regimes, extended service intervals (up to 1,000 hours on the new 2600 Series), and emerging fuel flexibility with HVO and B20 biofuel compatibility.

Name

Perkins Engines

Legal name

Perkins Engines Company Limited

Website

https://www.perkins.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1932

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Perkins Engines, a Caterpillar subsidiary founded in 1932, designs and manufactures off-highway diesel and gas engines (0.5-36L) for 800+ OEMs across construction, agriculture, marine, and electric power sectors globally, supported by 90+ distributors in 177 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Diesel Engine Manufacturing

NAICS

Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing (33361), Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing (3336), Turbine and Turbine Generator Set Units Manufacturing (333611), Other Engine Equipment Manufacturing (333618)

SIC

Engines & Turbines (3510), Motors & Generators (3621)

akta.pro primary industry

Reciprocating Engine Generator Sets (Diesel/Gas/HFO) (IMAHAFAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Gas Turbines (Industrial & Utility-Scale) (IMAHAFAA), Emergency & Standby Diesel Generator Power (Critical Facilities) (EUACACAH)

Keywords

• Diesel engine manufacturing
• Off-highway power solutions
• Electric power generation
• Marine propulsion engines
• Industrial engine series

Headquarters

HQ city

Peterborough

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Engine Sales: Perkins generates primary revenue through the manufacture and sale of diesel and gas engines to OEM manufacturers across construction, agriculture, marine, industrial, and electric power sectors. Engines are sold directly to equipment manufacturers who incorporate them into their machines.
2. Parts and Aftermarket: Genuine Perkins parts, maintenance services, overhaul kits, and replacement engines sold through online store and authorized distributors. Covers over 450 million registered engine serial numbers.
3. Marine Propulsion Systems: Marine propulsion and auxiliary engines for commercial and leisure vessels, including the new range launched at Metstrade 2025 for new build and repower projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Perkins Engines designs and manufactures off-highway diesel and gas engines spanning 0.5 to 36 litres, delivering 8.2-597 kW for industrial applications and 4-2,500 kVA for electric power generation. The company sells engines, Industrial Open Power Units (IOPUs), genuine parts, and aftermarket services primarily to OEM manufacturers in construction, agriculture, marine, industrial, material handling, and power generation sectors across 177 countries.

Product overview

Perkins Engines is a Caterpillar subsidiary offering the world's most comprehensive range of diesel engines for off-highway applications, spanning 0.5 to 36 liters and 8.2 kW to 2500 kVA. The product portfolio includes 14 distinct engine series (400, 904, 1100, 1200, 1500, 1700, 2200, 2400, 2500, 2600, 2800, 4000, and 5000 Series) organized across three application segments: Industrial engines for construction, agriculture, and material handling equipment; Electric Power engines for standby and prime generation from 4-2500 kVA; and Marine engines for propulsion and auxiliary power. The company also offers complementary digital services including Perkins Interlink (real-time monitoring), Perkins My Engine App, and Customer Machine Engineering Team (CMET) support. Advanced power solutions include hydrogen hybrid IOPUs and battery-electric power units. The 2600 Series represents the latest platform delivering up to 515 kW with alternative fuel compatibility, while the 5000 Series serves critical data center applications up to 2500 kVA.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Perkins® Platinum Protection: Extended warranty program for Perkins engines providing up to 10 years of coverage
• Perkins® My Engine App
• Perkins® Hypercare
• Project Coeus

Products and services

• 400 Series Engines Compact 2-4 cylinder engine series delivering 8.2-55 kW (11-74 hp) for industrial applications in harsh environments, with global emission compliance from unregulated regions to EU Stage IIIB/US EPA Tier 4 Final.
• 904 Series Engines 2.8L and 3.6L 4-cylinder engines delivering 55-134 kW (74-180 hp) for compact construction, agriculture, and industrial machinery with EU Stage V emission compliance.
• 1100 Series Engines 3-cylinder to 6-cylinder engine series offering 30-205 kW for agriculture, construction, and power generation applications, with proven reliability and low cost of ownership.
• 1200 Series Engines 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder engines meeting EU Stage V/US EPA Tier 4 Final emissions standards, delivering clean, quiet, reliable power in any environmental conditions.
• 1500 Series Engines 8.8L 6-cylinder turbocharged diesel engines delivering 200-330 kVA for prime and standby power generation, designed for fuel optimization in harsh climates.
• 1700 Series Engines 9.3L 6-cylinder engines delivering 250-340 kW (335-456 hp) with excellent power density for construction equipment, meeting US EPA Tier 4 Final and EU Stage V standards.
• 2200 Series Engines 13L 6-cylinder engines delivering 287-388 kW for industrial and 350-500 kVA for electric power applications, with excellent power density and low installation costs.
• 2400 Series Engines 12.5L 6-cylinder engines delivering up to 430 kW (577 hp) with 2640 Nm peak torque, featuring compact aftertreatment and non-EGR air system for high power density.
• 2500 Series Engines 15L 6-cylinder engines delivering 328-444 kW for industrial and 455-687 kVA for electric power applications, with high power density enabling engine downsizing.
• 2600 Series Engines 13L engines delivering up to 515 kW (690 hp) with 3200 Nm torque, featuring 40 kW/L power density and compatibility with B20 biofuels, HVO, and future hydrogen fuel development.
• 2800 Series Engines 18L 6-cylinder engines delivering 429-597 kW for industrial and 569-938 kVA for electric power applications, popular in the standby power market with turbocharged and air-cooled aftercooling.
• 4000 Series Engines 6-cylinder to 16-cylinder diesel engines ranging from 750 to 2,500 kVA for standby and prime power generation, available as ElectropaK or Electro Unit configurations.
• 5000 Series Engines Inline 6-cylinder, V8, V12, and V16 engines ranging from 750-2,500 kVA designed for data centers and critical applications, featuring electronic fuel injection and B20/HVO fuel compatibility.
• Industrial Open Power Units (IOPUs) Complete drop-in power solutions with engine and aftertreatment pre-installed, minimizing validation and helping OEM manufacturers reach production faster across multiple engine series.
• Hydrogen Hybrid Industrial Open Power Unit Hydrogen hybrid power unit developed with Equipmake and Loughborough University under Project Coeus for mixed-power future industrial applications and off-highway use.
• Battery-Electric Power Unit Battery-electric power unit designed as a drop-in replacement for diesel engines in industrial applications, part of Perkins' advanced electrified systems offerings.
• Marine Propulsion Engines Marine engines providing auxiliary power for electricity generation and propulsion for commercial and pleasure vessels, including models like E44, E70B, M92B, and 4.4L series engines.
• Perkins Platinum Protection Extended warranty program providing up to 10 years of engine coverage, with core components such as engine block and cylinder head covered for 36 months.
• Customer Machine Engineering Team (CMET) Engineering support team providing design workshops, engine integration optimization, performance benchmarking, and collaborative machine development to reduce OEM time-to-market.
• Perkins Interlink Digital connectivity solution enabling real-time monitoring and condition-based maintenance for Perkins engines, enabling predictive servicing across the fleet.

Quantifiable outcome

• Engines power more than 5000 different applications worldwide
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• EquipmakecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 March 2026Perkins collaborated with Equipmake to develop a hydrogen hybrid industrial open power unit as part of Project Coeus, showcased at ConExpo trade fair in Las Vegas. The partnership focuses on integrated diesel, hybrid and electric powertrain solutions for off-highway applications.
• Loughborough UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 March 2026Academic partnership for developing hydrogen hybrid industrial open power unit technology. The collaboration combines Perkins' engine manufacturing expertise with university research capabilities for innovative powertrain solutions.
• DiPerk Power SolutionscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 20 November 2025UK and Ireland distributor partnership for showcasing expanded marine propulsion and auxiliary engines at Seawork 2026. DiPerk serves as authorized Perkins distributor for marine products in the region.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• MAN Energy Solutions: MAN Energy Solutions manufactures large two-stroke and four-stroke marine engines, turbomachinery, and power plant engines. Comparable to Perkins' large marine propulsion and high-kVA generator set offerings (4000/5000 Series), but focused on much larger propulsion and utility-scale applications.
• Caterpillar Marine Power (parent brand engines): Caterpillar (Perkins' parent since 1998) manufactures its own branded large diesel and gas engines for marine, oil & gas, and industrial applications. While Perkins serves the sub-2,500 kVA off-highway segment, Cat-branded engines overlap in higher-power marine and oilfield applications, creating intra-portfolio dynamics.

Direct peers

• Deutz AG: Deutz AG is a German manufacturer of diesel, gas, and electric drive systems for off-highway applications, with a product range from 19 kW to 620 kW. Directly comparable to Perkins in construction equipment, material handling, agricultural machinery, and automotive OEM engine supply across Europe and globally.
• Volvo Penta: Volvo Penta manufactures diesel and gas engines for marine propulsion, industrial, and power generation applications. Direct overlap with Perkins in marine engines (commercial vessels, leisure craft) and industrial off-highway segments, with similar OEM-embedded distribution models.
• Yanmar: Yanmar manufactures compact diesel engines (up to 70 kW) for agricultural, construction, marine, and industrial applications. Direct competitor to Perkins' smaller engine series (400, 904) in compact equipment and Asian markets, with growing investment in electric and hydrogen powertrains.
• Cummins: Cummins is the global leader in diesel and natural gas engines for on- and off-highway applications, with a broad product portfolio spanning 2.8L to 95L displacements and direct overlap with Perkins in construction, agriculture, marine, and standby power generation. Cummins competes head-to-head with Perkins in OEM-embedded engine supply globally.
• MTU/Rolls-Royce Power Systems: MTU (a Rolls-Royce Power Systems brand) manufactures large diesel and gas engines (up to 4,500 kW) for power generation, marine, rail, and oil & gas applications. Direct competitor in the high-power standby/prime generation and large marine segments where Perkins' 4000 and 5000 Series compete.
• Generac Power Systems: Generac is a leading manufacturer of standby and prime power generators, and a customer of Perkins (using the 5012 46L V-12 in SD1250/SD1500 generators for data centers, healthcare, water utilities). Generac also sources from other engine makers and increasingly integrates its own engines, making it both customer and partial competitor in the genset value chain.

Emerging players

• Weichai Power: Weichai is China's largest heavy-duty engine manufacturer with a growing international presence in off-highway, marine, and power generation segments. Increasingly competitive on price in emerging markets where Perkins explicitly operates (China, India, Brazil, Africa), posing a long-term share threat.

Regional players

• John Deere Power Systems: John Deere Power Systems manufactures engines primarily for John Deere's own agricultural and construction equipment, with limited third-party OEM supply. Comparable to Perkins in engine technology and agricultural application expertise, but operates mainly as a captive supplier in North America and Europe.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/PerkinsEngines
• Facebookfacebook.com/PerkinsEngines
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/27467
• Instagraminstagram.com/perkinsengines

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Perkins Engines