Hawthorne Cat

What Hawthorne Cat does

Hawthorne Cat is the exclusive Caterpillar equipment dealer for San Diego County, the Hawaiian Islands, Guam, Saipan, and American Samoa, in continuous operation since 1956. The company operates 15 branch locations supported by a 50,000+ square foot main San Diego service facility with 36 service bays, engine and transmission dynamometers, 30 mobile service trucks, and 180 service technicians, and sells the full Cat portfolio of more than 300 machine models across 35 product categories alongside Kalmar electric forklifts and allied rental brands.

The business operates across five integrated revenue streams: new and used Cat equipment sales, a rental fleet of 900+ Cat and 700+ Allied machines serviced by The Cat Rental Store, parts distribution through Parts.cat.com and the Cat Central app covering 1.4 million+ SKUs, full lifecycle service including hydraulic repair, Cat Certified Rebuilds, and Customer Value Agreements, and power systems spanning diesel and gas generators from 5 to 16,000 kW, marine propulsion, and microgrid solutions. Its technology stack layers Caterpillar's VisionLink telematics, the Cat AI Assistant drawing on 1.5 million connected assets, the Cat SIS2GO service information app, the SITECH/Trimble machine control partnership, and the Cat Connect suite (Command, Grade, Payload, Detect) on top of the equipment portfolio.

Go-to-market combines direct enterprise field sales at branch locations, inside phone sales, and growing e-commerce/self-service channels (Parts.cat.com, CatRentalStore.com, Rent.Cat.com customer portal), with revenue mechanics spanning one-time equipment sales, transaction-based parts sales, and recurring rental, CVA, and Cat Commercial Account financing relationships. End markets served include general and heavy construction, quarry and aggregate, landscaping, marine, paving, waste management, backup power, and industrial/forklift operations.

Name

Hawthorne Cat

Legal name

Hawthorne Cat

Website

https://hawthornecat.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1956

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Hawthorne Cat is the exclusive Caterpillar equipment dealer for San Diego County, Hawaii, Guam, Saipan, and American Samoa, selling, renting, and servicing heavy equipment, power systems, and 1.4M+ parts across 15 branches since 1956.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices15 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. New Equipment Sales: Sale of new Caterpillar construction equipment including excavators, compact track loaders, skid steer loaders, telehandlers, wheel loaders, backhoe loaders, articulated trucks, dozers, motor graders, and attachments. Also distributes Kalmar electric forklifts.
2. Used Equipment Sales: Resale of pre-owned Cat equipment and allied brand machines. Includes Cat Certified Used Equipment program with enhanced inspection standards, outright purchase and consignment programs.
3. Equipment Rentals: Short- and long-term rental of Cat machines and allied brand equipment through The Cat Rental Store. Fleet includes 900+ Cat machines and 700+ Allied machines (JLG, Genie, Sullair, Skyjack). Commercial accounts allow rental payment up to 30 days with Cat Rewards earning.
4. Parts Sales: Sale of genuine Cat parts through Parts.cat.com (over 1.4 million parts), Cat Central app, and in-person counter sales. Includes hose and couplings assemblies with multiple fulfillment options (branch, online, mobile, DIY).
5. Service and Repair: Full-service maintenance and repair including hydraulic repairs, undercarriage inspections, engine/power train/hydraulic/component rebuilds (Cat Certified Rebuild program), 24-hour emergency service, and Customer Value Agreements (CVAs) for ongoing maintenance.
6. Power Systems: Sale, rental, and service of Cat diesel and natural gas generator sets (5 to 16,000 kW), marine power systems, industrial engines, air compressors, microgrid solutions, and combined heat and power (CHP) systems.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Hawthorne Cat is the exclusive Caterpillar equipment dealer for San Diego County, the Hawaiian Islands, Guam, Saipan, and American Samoa, operating since 1956. The company sells new and used Cat construction equipment (over 300 models in 35 product categories), rents a fleet of 900+ Cat and 700+ Allied machines, distributes genuine Cat parts (1.4M+ items), provides 24-hour service and maintenance backed by 180 technicians, and offers Cat power generation systems (5 to 16,000 kW) and Kalmar electric forklifts. All offerings are supported by Caterpillar's digital ecosystem including VisionLink telematics, Cat AI Assistant, Cat Central mobile app, and SIS2GO service information platform.

Product overview

Hawthorne Cat is a Caterpillar equipment dealer serving San Diego, Hawaiian Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and Saipan since 1956. The company offers a comprehensive heavy equipment ecosystem organized around five core pillars: (1) New and Used Equipment Sales featuring over 300 Cat machine models including excavators, compact track loaders, telehandlers, wheel loaders, and dozers, plus Kalmar electric forklifts; (2) Equipment Rental Services with 900+ Cat machines and 700+ Allied brands supported by 180 service technicians; (3) Power Systems including electric power generation (diesel/gas generators 5-16,000 kW), marine power, and industrial engines; (4) Parts & Service with genuine Cat parts (1.4M+ items via Parts.cat.com and Cat Central app), 24-hour maintenance, hydraulic repairs, certified rebuilds, and Customer Value Agreements; and (5) Technology Solutions including VisionLink fleet management, Cat Construction Technology (Command, Grade, Payload, Detect), SITECH construction technology, Cat AI Assistant, and SIS2GO service information app. The product portfolio integrates with Caterpillar's digital ecosystem (Parts.cat.com, VisionLink, Cat Central) while offering value-add services like undercarriage inspections, self-service options, hose assemblies, and FODS trackout control mats.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cat Rental Store: Equipment rental division of Hawthorne Cat offering Cat and Allied brand equipment for rent
• C2C Power Solutions
• Ness Turf Equipment
• SITECH Hawaii
• SITECH Pacific

Products and services

• New Cat Equipment Sales Sales of new Caterpillar construction equipment including excavators, compact track loaders, skid steer loaders, telehandlers, wheel loaders, backhoe loaders, dozers, articulated trucks, motor graders, and compactors. Over 300 models in 35 product categories, for construction, quarry, landscaping, marine, and industrial customers in the dealer territory.
• Used Equipment Sales Sales of pre-owned heavy equipment including Cat Certified Used Equipment with certified quality standards, outright purchase programs, and consignment programs for buyers seeking lower-cost alternatives to new machines.
• Equipment Rental Services Short- and long-term rental of Cat machines and Allied brand equipment (JLG, Genie, Sullair, Skyjack) through The Cat Rental Store. Fleet includes 900+ Cat and 700+ Allied machines supported by 180 service technicians, with online quoting and customer portal management.
• Cat Parts Sales Sales of genuine Cat parts through Parts.cat.com (over 1.4 million parts), branch counter sales, and the Cat Central mobile app. Includes engine parts, batteries, ground engaging tools, filters, hydraulic hoses, hydraulic cylinder seal kits, fluids, and drive train components.
• Equipment Service and Maintenance Full-service maintenance and repair including 24-hour emergency service, hydraulic cylinder repairs, undercarriage inspections, fluid analysis (S.O.S. Oil Analysis), engine/power train/hydraulic/component rebuilds, and preventive maintenance, performed at the main 50,000+ sq ft San Diego facility with 36 service bays and through 30 service trucks in the field.
• Power Systems (Electric Power Generation) Sale, rental, and service of Cat diesel and natural gas generator sets (5 to 16,000 kW), microgrid solutions, and combined heat and power (CHP) systems for emergency standby, peak shaving, co-generation, prime, and continuous power applications.
• Marine Power Systems Cat marine propulsion engines and generator sets with dedicated service and support, including marine service agreements and specialized marine technicians, for vessel propulsion and auxiliary power applications.
• Customer Value Agreements (CVA) Customized maintenance programs providing hassle-free ownership with priority dealer support, guaranteed parts availability (next-day delivery or up to $1,000 Cat Credit), priority service scheduling, and a back-to-work-in-2-business-days commitment.
• Cat Certified Rebuild Program Equipment restoration programs returning end-of-life equipment to like-new condition at a fraction of new equipment cost, with options including machine, powertrain, engine, hydraulic, component, and custom rebuilds.
• Kalmar Electric Forklift Distribution Exclusive distribution of Kalmar electric and diesel lift trucks (11,000 to 72,000 lb capacity) in San Diego, Hawaiian Islands, and Pacific Region, for warehouse operations, material handling, and container handling applications.
• Cat Attachments Caterpillar work tool attachments including augers, backhoes, buckets, blades, brooms, brushcutters, cold planers, couplers, forks, grapples, hammers, mulchers, pulverizers, shears, snow plows, stump grinders, tillers, trenchers, and winches, for use with Cat machines.
• Next Generation Cat 255 and 265 Compact Track Loaders Next Generation Cat 255 and 265 compact track loaders with Cat C2.8T/C2.8TA engines, class-leading tilt/lift breakout forces, 22% larger cab, 5-inch or 8-inch touchscreen displays, and Product Link Elite telematics, for construction and landscaping customers.
• Next Generation Cat Telehandlers Next Generation Cat telehandlers redesigned for safety and ease of operation, with rear-view camera, LED work lights, optional Lift Stability Indicator, pilot joystick control, extended service intervals, and advanced telematics, available with 0% financing for 36 months.

Quantifiable outcome

• Cat Certified Rebuild Machines capture significantly higher resale value compared to standard rebuilt equipment
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration12 records

AI capability7 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SITECHcoreTechnology or IntegrationHawthorne Cat has partnered with SITECH, the leader in construction technology solutions, to deliver Trimble Site Positioning Systems, AccuGrade Machine Control Systems, and other construction technology to heavy civil construction customers throughout San Diego, Hawaii, and the Pacific Region.
• KalmarcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHawthorne Cat is now the exclusive distributor of Kalmar electric forklifts in San Diego, the Hawaiian Islands, and the Pacific Region. Kalmar lift trucks range from 11,000 to 72,000 lb capacity in electric and diesel models.
• Caterpillar Inc.coreOthersHawthorne Cat is the exclusive Caterpillar equipment dealer for San Diego County, Hawaiian Islands, Guam, Saipan, and American Samoa. The partnership provides access to Cat's full product portfolio, Cat Connect technology, VisionLink, Cat Certified Rebuild programs, Cat Rewards, and Cat Commercial Account financing.
• FODSminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFODS (Fixed-Observation Device System) Construction Trackout Control Mats are available for rent through Hawthorne Cat Rentals. FODS mats eliminate vehicle tracking and sediment leaving construction sites and are rented alongside equipment for environmental compliance.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Empire Cat: Empire Cat is a multi-state Caterpillar dealer operating across the Southwest US with a similar full-line business model covering new/used equipment sales, rentals, parts, service, and power systems. Most directly comparable peer in scale and product mix to Hawthorne Cat.
• HOLT Cat: HOLT Cat is a Texas-based Caterpillar dealer with a comparable full-line product, parts, service, and rental model. Family-owned and exclusive Cat dealer across a large multi-region footprint, making it a strong structural analogue to Hawthorne.
• Ring Power Corporation: Ring Power is a Caterpillar dealer serving Florida with a similar mix of equipment sales, power systems, and lift truck distribution (Linde/Hyster). Closely aligned business model with adjacent product line extension via material handling.
• Cleveland Brothers Equipment Co. Cleveland Brothers is a Pennsylvania-based exclusive Caterpillar dealer offering equipment sales, rentals, parts, service, and power generation. Family-owned with multi-decade tenure, structurally very similar to Hawthorne.
• Warren CAT: Warren CAT is an Oklahoma/Texas Caterpillar dealer offering the full Cat product line plus parts, service, rentals, and power systems. Operates the same exclusive-territory dealer model as Hawthorne.
• Carter Machinery Company: Carter Machinery is a Caterpillar dealer serving Virginia and surrounding states with equipment, power systems, and service. Comparable full-line Cat dealer with similar power-generation and rental business mix.
• NMC Cat: NMC Cat is a Caterpillar dealer in Nebraska and the surrounding Plains states with full equipment, rental, parts, and service operations. Closely matches Hawthorne's exclusive-territory dealer profile.
• Stowers Machinery Corporation: Stowers Machinery is a Caterpillar dealer serving Tennessee and surrounding states with new/used equipment, parts, service, and rentals. Operates the same exclusive Cat dealer model.

Broad incumbents

• Komatsu America Corp. Komatsu is a global full-line construction equipment OEM that competes head-to-head with Cat in excavators, dozers, and wheel loaders. Competes for end-customer wallet share but operates its own direct distribution model rather than a local dealer franchise.
• John Deere Construction & Forestry Division: John Deere is a major construction equipment OEM that competes with Caterpillar in skid steers, compact track loaders, dozers, and articulated dump trucks. Broad incumbent in the same customer base as Hawthorne.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hawthorne_cat
• Facebookfacebook.com/HawthorneCat
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hawthorne-cat

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Hawthorne Cat