Chinese officials last month implemented a drastic plan to combat Beijing's persistent pollution problems, taking half of the city's more than 3 million vehicles off the road, temporarily closing factories and chemical plants, and suspending all construction work.

CNN: Pollution, Internet, doping dominate Olympics lead-up

As the clean-up and recovery consumes what stock is in place for earth movers, road graders and other heavy equipment for construction and infrastructure is put to work, the long lead-time required to build and deliver these machines may be a boon for companies like Caterpillar and its partners.

FORBES: Supply Chain Lessons From Japan