Serving You Since 1927
Caterpillar has been present in Virginia since 1927 through the Virginia Tractor Company, the ever increasing activity in western Virginia demanded a greater focus thanks to infrastructure developments and coal mining. As a result, Carter Machinery was formed to serve customers in southwestern Virginia. The 1950’s were a pivotal point in our country’s history, highlighted by a sharp rise in the economy for the first time in more than 30 years.
Our Major Milestones
1927 – Virginia Tractor Company is founded.
1952 – Carter Machinery Company, Inc. officially founded.
1955 – Bluefield, WV store opened.
1957 – Norton, VA store opened.
1962 – Corporate headquarters moved to present location in Salem, VA.
1965 – Norton, VA store moved to an expanded facility.
1975 – Reconditioning Center, created to rebuild major components and machines, opened at Salem headquarters.
1977 – Oakwood, VA store opened.
1982 – Eastern Virginia territory, served by Virginia Tractor Company, acquired and combined under Carter Machinery, adding four stores: Chesapeake, Fishersville, Norfolk and Richmond, VA. During the same year, a new store in Pineville, WV was opened.
1985 – Warrenton, VA store opened.
1986 – Newport News store opened.
1990 – Fredericksburg and Richmond Power Systems Division stores opened.
1991 – Lynchburg store opened.
1993 – Roanoke Power Systems Division store opened.
1995 – Chesapeake Power Systems Division store opened.
1996 – Roanoke General Construction Division store opened.
1997 – Fishersville, VA store moved to present location.
1999 – Richmond Power Systems Division store moved to present location.
2000 – South Hill and Chesterfield stores opened.
2001 – Lynchburg store moved to present location.
2006 – Pineville, WV and Abingdon, VA stores moved to new, expanded facilities. Harrisonburg store opened.
2007 – Carter Machinery purchased the Virginia assets of Pioneer Machinery, the Cat Forest Products dealer.
2008 – Harrisonburg store moved to its present location.
2009 – Newport News and Yorktown stores moved to new, combined location in Williamsburg.
2010 – Bluefield, WV store moved to new location in Princeton, WV.
2011 – Change of ownership from Caterpillar Inc. as a result of a management led buyout.
2013 – Carter Machinery became the exclusive Blue Bird Bus dealer in the state of Virginia.
2013 – Carter Machinery acquired the expanded Cat Mining equipment distribution and support business for our territories from Caterpillar Global Mining LLC.