For total confidence in materials handling, choose Cat Lift Trucks and its dealers
The Cat Lift Trucks logo is a symbol of quality, dependability and performance. These brand values have been built and reinforced through a long history of developing lift truck expertise and technology.
November 2025 marks the 60th anniversary of Cat Lift Trucks. It was in 1965 that the Caterpillar Tractor Company became owner of the pioneering Towmotor Corporation.
By coincidence, the Caterpillar organisation, now known as Caterpillar Inc., is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
A revolution in materials handling
Towmotor had been established in 1919 to manufacture a revolutionary new product that would transform materials handling.
It was invented by Lester M Sears, who took a farm tractor and adapted it for industrial use. His first forklift truck featured several innovations which have become standard in the lift truck industry. They included under-the-load front-wheel drive, rear-wheel steering, hydraulic lifting and tilting, and equal high-speed forward and reverse gears.
Amalgamating lift truck and engineering knowledge
Fittingly, Mr Sears’ prototype model worked for 30 years before retiring. That kind of dependable engineering and longevity became a characteristic of Cat Lift Trucks. Along with it came the knowledge and skills developed by Towmotor since 1919. In that sense, the forklift manufacturing heritage of Cat Lift Trucks stretches back for over a hundred years.
Cat Lift Trucks has inherited much else from Caterpillar. Products carrying the Caterpillar or Cat® brands are renowned worldwide for their quality, innovation and fitness for purpose. They include everything from earthmoving and construction machinery, through engines and power generation systems, clothing and footwear, to materials handling equipment.
Why our forklift brand matters
These are all good reasons why the Cat Lift Trucks brand should fill you with confidence. In a separate article, we explain how our values and qualities are reflected in the services provided by our carefully selected dealers.
For further information on what sets Cat Lift Trucks apart, see our corporate brochure.
