Making History. Together.
When Customers choose Caterpillar products and solutions today, they also gain nearly 100 years of experience and expertise. Foley Industries, a third-generation, family-owned business, has been by Caterpillar's side for over 80 years, providing honest value and outstanding service in the communities they serve.
Caterpillar DNA is infused into every product they design.
Cat was founded by two families of innovators from the agriculture industry: the Bests and Holts. After joining forces to form Caterpillar, they were the first to market diesel-powered track-type tractors, essentially inventing the industry we know today.
Foley Industries, a Caterpillar dealer for over 80 years, strives to provide dependable support and service for all Cat products, so those doing the work can confidently fulfill their commitments.
Honest Value. Dependability. Integrity.
Caterpillar Founders Holt & Best
Together, these two innovators led to the success of Caterpillar & the track-type tractors of today.
In a time when horses powered infrastructure and agriculture, Caterpillar co-founders Benjamin Holt and C.L. Best created products that transformed the way our Customers worked. Holt invented a steam tractor in 1890 to keep farmers working longer than horses could. Best responded to Customer needs with a focus on early gasoline technology.
Explore The Heritage of Foley Industries
Foley Industries and its subsidiaries Foley Equipment, Foley Power Solutions, Foley RIG360 Truck Centers, Foley Rental and SITECH Central have represented Caterpillar for over 80 years. With nearly 1,300 employees, Foley provides a full range of equipment and power generation equipment all backed with legendary service.
Report Your Cat Sighting
Cat Equipment is everywhere! Report your recent or past #CatSighting by uploading your photos of Cat equipment being used in your local community to empower progress.
A TIMELINE OF OUR HISTORY
Caterpillar's and Foley's journey has been intertwined with that of our Customers. Together, we've evolved in sync with the ever-changing world—constantly creating, constructing, solving problems, innovating, testing, providing service, and enhancing.
Today, when Customers opt for Cat products, solutions and the breath of Foley's services, they also access the wealth of nearly a century's worth of experience and expertise.
1906 - Caterpillar
In 1906, Benjamin Holt tested his first gasoline-powered track-type tractor that eventually replaced inefficient, steam-powered track-type tractors. His invention was named “Caterpillar,” and it was the first step on a never-ending journey toward more efficient power sources for our machines.
1910 - Caterpillar
You can say remanufacturing is part of our DNA. The Holt Manufacturing Company, one of our two predecessor companies, rebuilt and resold machines as early as 1910. One of these machines is still owned by the original Customer’s family today.
1930 - Caterpillar
In the 1930s, Caterpillar track-type tractors were converted to run on alternative fuels such as butane and propane. This Caterpillar Seventy track-type tractor was equipped to burn butane in Hanford, California. In this same decade, Caterpillar converted gasoline engines to burn natural gas, and sold diesel engine conversion kits that allowed existing Customers to “modernize” their gasoline-powered Sixty tractors.
1931 - Caterpillar
The need for better visibility on road construction sites led to our colorful change from gray to hi-way yellow in 1931.
A historic innovation started as an experiment, this time involving paint and color. The goal was to find the color that would be visible at the furthest distance by day and night — yet be pleasing to the eye. Yellow was chosen, and paint specialists created the distinctive Caterpillar yellow for exclusive identification of Cat machines.
On December 7, 1931, gray paint and red trim were replaced with hi-way yellow and black trim. Today, the paint color is called "Caterpillar Yellow".
1940 - Foley Equipment
Foley Tractor Company first opened its doors in Wichita in 1940. From that single Wichita store, founder Paul J. Foley expanded the business across Kansas throughout the 1940’s and 1950’s as the Kansas economy grew.
1955 - Caterpillar
In 1955, the D9 became the first Cat machine fitted with a turbocharged diesel engine. Turbocharging technology captures and reuses exhaust gases to increase power while reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
1973 - Caterpillar
What began as a Customer request for a low-cost repair option transformed into one of Caterpillar’s most dynamic divisions— Cat Reman. In 1973, the first Caterpillar remanufacturing plant began production in Bettendorf, Iowa.
1973 - Caterpillar
Before being donated to the Smithsonian Institution, Caterpillar’s first diesel engine prototype, “Old Betsy,” was restored and put through a rigorous series of emissions tests in 1973. Thanks to a forward-thinking design, Old Betsy came very close to meeting 1973 emissions standards 40 years after it was built.
1994 - Caterpillar
From 1994 to 1995, Caterpillar ran the first two prototype 777C autonomous mining trucks (AMTs) at a Texas limestone quarry, where they successfully hauled more than 5,000 production loads over a 2.6-mile course, and demonstrated autonomous operations could improve safety.
1998 - Foley Equipment
In 1997, Ann Konecny, became the president of the company her grandfather started. The following year in 1998 the company changed it's name from Foley Tractor Company to Foley Equipment Company to reflect the expanded offerings from Caterpillar.
2007 - Foley Equipment
Foley Equipment opens Foley Engine Rebuild Center in Park City, Kansas. The Foley Engine Rebuild Center provides engine rebuilds from the Cat C4.4 to the 3616 and boasts the nation's first 5,000 horsepower dyno.
2009 - Foley Equipment
Foley Equipment acquired Martin Tractor Company, growing the territory to 99 counties.
2012 - Foley Equipment
Foley Equipment acquired Dean Machinery in 2012, growing the territory to 144 counties across Kansas and northwest Missouri. Today, Foley is proud to still be a third generation family-owned and operated company. Foley remains hands-on in their approach to working with Customers to find the right solutions to get the job done right.
2019 - Caterpillar
In 2019, Caterpillar introduced the D6 XE, the world’s first elevated sprocket electric drive dozer, providing substantial fuel savings and efficiency alongside increased productivity.
10 Ways Caterpillar Has Changed The World
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