The Best EMEA Cat Operator is from Belgium: Here the Challenges He Had to Win

The EAME top three, Belgium’s Gunter Dewit, Denmark’s Nicolai Have Thomsen, and Germany’s Sebastian Behr, will represent the region at Caterpillar’s Global Operator Challenge Final during CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 in Las Vegas.

Gunter Dewit from Belgium has been named the EAME Region semifinal champion of the Caterpillar Global Operator Challenge (GOC), held at Caterpillar’s Demonstration and Learning Centre in Malaga. The competition brought together 20 of the best machine operators from Europe, Africa, and the Middle East to test their skills and precision using Cat® equipment and technologies.

Dewit, representing Bergerat Monnoyeur Belgium, achieved the lowest combined score of 983 points, a total based on time and penalties across four separate challenges. Nicolai Have Thomsen from Denmark, representing Zeppelin Denmark, finished second with 1,048 points, while Sebastian Behr from Germany, representing Zeppelin GmbH, took third place with 1,101 points.

All three operators will advance to the Global Final, set to take place during CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 in Las Vegas, where the world’s top nine operators will compete for the title of Caterpillar Global Operator Champion and a prize valued at US$10,000 or an equivalent travel experience.

Four Challenges to Test Precision and Control

1. Touchdown Challenge

Machine: Cat 320 Hydraulic Excavator with 3D GPS

Objective:
Operators had to pick up two rugby balls consecutively using the excavator and place them into a nearby basket.
After that, they needed to use the 3D GPS guidance system to “touch” two designated targets with the machine’s boom — testing fine control, hand-eye coordination, and understanding of GPS-assisted precision.
Winner: Dino Toic (Teknoxgroup Croatia)

2. Centennial Push Challenge

Machine: Cat D4 Dozer
Objective:
To mark 100 years of Caterpillar innovation, this event required operators to complete a pre-set earthmoving course within a defined timeframe.
They were allowed to use optional technology features such as Steer Assist and Slope Assist, which are built into the machine to support steering accuracy and blade control on gradients.
Winner: Silvian-Alexandru Milea (Bergerat Monnoyeur Romania)

3. Loader Labyrinth Challenge

Machine: Cat 938 Small Wheel Loader
Objective:
Operators had to complete a dual-phase course that tested agility and precision:
• Phase 1: Load and haul material along a marked route and dump it into a Cat off-highway truck.
• Phase 2: Switch attachments — remove the bucket, attach forks, carry a large pipe along a marked path, place it on the ground precisely, then reverse the sequence, reconnect the bucket, and return to the starting position.
Winner: Gunter Dewit (Bergerat Monnoyeur Belgium)

4. Articulator Challenge

Machine: Next Generation Cat 730 Articulated Truck
Objective:
Competitors navigated through a course with tight turns and obstacles, then reversed accurately to a dumping area.
They had to safely lower the truck body, return to the travel position, and park precisely under a wheeled loader — testing smooth operation, visibility awareness, and control under pressure.
Winner: Gunter Dewit (Bergerat Monnoyeur Belgium)

Caterpillar’s Industry Solutions Lead, Serena Janssen, emphasized the importance of the competition as a platform to celebrate operator excellence:

“Our team worked tirelessly to make sure operators could show off their skills in every area. We created challenges where every operator had the same shot at winning. Competition was fierce and everyone gave it their best.”

Ready for the Global Challenge in Con-Expo 2026

The Caterpillar Global Operator Challenge, first launched in 2019, aims to highlight the vital role operators play in construction and earthmoving. It also demonstrates how modern Cat machines integrate advanced technologies such as GPS guidance, assistive steering, and automated slope control to enhance efficiency and accuracy on site.

Regional competitions are held across the world, with the top three from each region moving on to the global finals. The upcoming final in Las Vegas will see champions from EAME, North America, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific regions face off in Caterpillar’s 70,000 ft² outdoor exhibit (F29029) at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026.

The Best EMEA Cat Operator is from Belgium: Here the Challenges He Had to Win published on The HeavyQuip Magazine.