Holt CAT announced the grand opening of its parts store in Sonora, TX –– an especially momentous occasion for the company as it celebrates the 100-year anniversary of the development of the track-type tractor.

“Over the past 100 years, the Caterpillar track-type tractor has made an essential contribution to American and global progress,” said Peter M. Holt, CEO of Holt and fourth generation in the Holt family to be connected with Caterpillar Inc. and its predecessors.

“It is a privilege to carry on the Holt family tradition of finding innovative ways to better serve the community. We at Holt are proud to become a part of Sonora as we step into another century of innovation,” he added.

The Sonora store offers a parts inventory of more than 3,000 line items and 150 different types of exchange components to speed repairs and reduce downtime.

In addition, Holt provides resident field service to the local area spanning Sutton, Edwards, Crockett, Kimble, Menard and Schleicher counties.

Holt’s field service technicians are specially trained on all aspects of Caterpillar machines and engines and field service is available on a 24-hour basis for emergencies.

All field service technicians keep in constant communication and are equipped with laptop computers capable of performing extensive field diagnostic tests. Holt’s field service vehicles are heavy duty one and two-ton trucks specially outfitted with equipment such as cranes, cutting torches, welders, generators and air compressors, plus a variety of specialized Caterpillar tools for fast and accurate repairs.

Rather than rely on an expensive overnight freight company, Holt maintains a fleet of trucks that travel 6,000 miles every day to deliver parts from Holt warehouses and Caterpillar’s Dallas Parts Depot to each store and more than 140 parts drop boxes daily.

Historical Background

The name Holt has been associated with heavy equipment and Caterpillar for almost 100 years. Holt CEO, Peter M. Holt, is the great-grandson of Benjamin Holt, who in 1904 developed the first successful track-type tractor which he named the “Caterpillar.” The first steam powered Holt Manufacturing Company production model Caterpillar tractor was sold in 1906.

The response to this machine indicated a potential well beyond agricultural applications. Production of gasoline-powered crawlers began in 1908. By 1909, Caterpillar sales had risen to the point that the Stockton, CA, factory could no longer handle nationwide demand.

To be better positioned to serve the demand in the Midwest, a new factory site was chosen in Peoria, IL. Eventually, the Peoria plant took over all track-type tractor production.

Caterpillar tractors quickly assumed a role in road building and earthmoving. The Holt Caterpillar track-type tractor became a key element in military technology with thousands of tractors used by the Allies in World War I to replace horses and mules for towing.

For more information, visit www.holtcat.com.

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