History

Peterson formed BuildingPoint Pacific, authorized distribution partner in California and Hawaii for the Trimble Buildings Portfolio

Three Peterson power technicians sent to Antarctica to service 3500 series generators

Peterson accepts territory formerly serviced by Bayshore International, becoming the authorized International Trucks dealer in northern California

First Cat tractor Howard Peterson sold–a Cat RD4–returns to Peterson, donated by the family of the original owner, Hazen Dennis Sr.

In 2008, the last Cat truck engine, a C15, rolled off the assembly line in Mossville, Illinois.

Peterson Power Systems receives Winner of the Year for WRAP Award

Caterpillar co-founder inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame

The Fantastic Four movie is released – Peterson Power builds air-conditioned suit for The Thing.

Peterson launches "Quest For Success" - a continuous improvement initiative using 6 Sigma 

Peterson expands territory into Southern Oregon - acquires territory from Pape Machinery with seven store locations

Peterson opens brand new facility in San Martin and closes old San Jose store

^{Caterpillar celebrates its 75th anniversary}

World's largest off-highway truck, the 797, debuts at Cat Proving Grounds, ArizonaWorld's largest off-highway truck, the 797, debuts at Cat Proving Grounds, Arizona

Peterson Power enters Temperature Control market (air conditioning/chillers)

Peterson's new Santa Rosa store Grand Opening

Recession hits Peterson Tractor

Peterson acquires Berglund Tractor territory (Mendocino, Lake, Sonoma, W.Solano, Napa Cos)

Peterson celebrates its 50th year of doing business

Caterpillar enters a new market with introduction of its Cat 416 backhoe/loader

Caterpillar Leasing Co. renamed Caterpillar Financial Services - expands equipment finance offerings to customers worldwide

Peterson acquires Zumwalt Tractor territory (Glenn Co.) - opens Willows store

Worldwide recession costs Caterpillar equivalent of $1 million a day, forcing dramatic employment reductions

Peterson builds giant building transporters for Sohio for Alaskan Pipeline

Peterson moves into 2nd generation ownership with Bill Doyle as new owner/CEO

Peterson designs/builds giant tracks and propulsion systems for drill rigs for Alaskan pipeline

First hydraulic excavator – Cat 225 – rolls off assembly line in Aurora, Illinois

Oroville Dam completed - Peterson provided on-site product support through duration

Peterson builds engine & component shop in San Leandro

Peterson goes on-line with first computer - IBM 1440

Peterson acquires Ditz Bros Tractor territory (Santa Clara County) - opens San Jose store

Peterson gets largest Cat equipment sale to-date, for any dealer worldwide with the Mangla Dam project in West Pakistan for Guy F. Atkinson, involving 300 machines

Peterson sells first Demolition bucket for Cat 955 traxcavator to Bayshore Excavating

Peterson Tractor & Equipment Company changes name to Peterson Tractor Co.

Peterson's first international product support package to Morrison-Knudsen for the Helman River Dam in Afghanistan

Ed Cryer becomes Peterson's first Parts & Service Sales Rep with dedicated truck

Peterson ships the first SnoCAT D7 to Thule Air Force Base in Greenland for nation's Distant Early Warning System

Caterpillar Tractor Co. Ltd., Great Britain is established to better serve customers worldwide

First self-propelled DW10 scraper introduced

Peterson moves headquarters across town to a new facility in Hayward at the corner of A and Soto streets that takes up an entire city block

Peterson hears the "news" about Pearl Harbor being attacked while hosting a duck hunt and customer dinner at a duck club in Benicia 

Golden Gate International Expo opens on Treasure Island celebrating the building of SF Bay Bride and Golden Gate Bridge - all were constructed with Cat equipment

Oliver DeSilva is Peterson's first customer on the account books

Howard Peterson founds Peterson Tractor & Equipment Company (acquired from Robinson Tractor) in the San Francisco Bay Area with stores in SF and Oakland

Stock Market Crash - starts the Great Depression

Holt Mfg Co. & CL Best Tractor merge to form Caterpillar Tractor Co.

World War I ends

Holt's first production steam-powered crawler - No. 122 is built

Holt's first steam track-type tractor is field-tested

Holt Manufacturing Co. incorporates in Stockton, California

Best adapts his steam logger for use in the woods

Daniel Best and Benjamin Holt each introduce their own steam traction engine