The doors officially opened at the new Western States CAT facility in Hayden, Idaho, July 15, according to President Tom Harris.

The grand opening began a series of events to show support for the community and customers of Western States CAT, according to Harris.

“Our goal with this project was to build something good for the community that supports the service, sales, parts and rental needs of our customers in one of the most vibrant regions of the state,” Harris said.

Additionally, Western CAT celebrated with a Customer Appreciation Day July 16, which featured a show car appearance of the No. 31 CAT Racing Chevy Impala SS NASCAR driven by Jeff Burton, and a Community Day July 17.

Dignitaries from across the region were on hand to help cut the ribbon on one of the largest new construction projects completed in Idaho this year.

The more than 55,000-sq. ft. complex represents a $10 million investment in the local economy and features one of the largest sales, service, parts and rental operations in the Inland Northwest.

Energy efficient design innovations such as overhead doors constructed of cellular Lexan, a plastic developed for use in space that defuses light and reduces electrical usage, and 14-in. walls constructed of concrete with a polystyrene core for energy efficient heating and cooling were unveiled.

The size and scope of the project will have a far reaching effect in the region. Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter praised Western States for its vision and investment in Idaho.

“As I’ve been pointing out everywhere I go, there are a number of signs of economic progress throughout Idaho. Western States’ newest complex in Hayden is a leading example of this commitment by the Idaho business community,” Otter said. “Western States’ investment in this project is helping to put our economy back on track with one of the largest construction projects completed this year, and at the same time, create new jobs for the Coeur d’Alene region.”

The new facility provides complete sales and service support for the Highway 95 corridor. The 30,000 sq.-ft. service area has 10 full service bays, built-in compressed air and oil delivery systems computerized with wireless transmitters that regulate and record types and amounts of oil products dispensed, diesel truck and heavy construction equipment technicians on-call 24/7, an express hydraulic hose repair and welding shop on site, along with wash and fuel bays, and six cranes integrated into the building, including a 10-ton (9 t) overhead crane.

The new Western States parts warehouse spans 10,000 sq. ft. with more than 10,000 parts in inventory and boasts a 97 percent parts fill-rate within 24 hours. The complex includes the CAT Rental Store that originally opened in Hayden in 2006 with Caterpillar’s full line of equipment, as well as others such as Multiquip generators, Genie booms and scissor lifts, Allmand light towers, and Sullair air compressors.

With more than 70 years experience in the logging, mining and construction industries, Western States Equipment is an authorized Caterpillar dealer for five mountain state, now with 12 general line and truck engine branches and 12 Cat Rental Stores located in Idaho, western Wyoming and Montana, and eastern Oregon and Washington,

For more information, visit www.westernstatescat.com.

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