Stowers Machinery Corporation, East Tennessee’s Caterpillar dealer, celebrates its 55th anniversary on Oct. 3. In 1960, Caterpillar offered only 30 models when three brothers from Bluefield, West Virginia–Bud, Dick and Harry Stowers–took over the eastern Tennessee Caterpillar territory from the original Caterpillar dealer, who had served the area since 1925.
Stowers Machinery has grown from 70 employees in 1960 to a team of 352 people operating in six locations in Knoxville, Chattanooga, Kingsport, Crossville, and Sevierville.
The company remains a locally owned family business in an industry where most major equipment dealers and rental companies are part of large regional or national companies.
“We are proud to be the market leader in East Tennessee for almost every industry we serve, thanks to the team of outstanding professionals who work at this company,” said Wes Stowers, Harry Stowers’ son, who now leads the company as president and CEO.
As the company looks to its future, Stowers Machinery and Caterpillar are investing heavily to equip their customers with cutting-edge advancements in machine control and guidance technology, as well as more powerful and efficient machines.
“Stowers Machinery’s strength is founded on a 55-year legacy of prioritizing our commitment to our people and our customers, a culture built on ethical behavior, and failure to become complacent,” said Lisa Stowers Rottmann, who also works in the company. “We are proud of our East Tennessee heritage and feel privileged to be able to serve the place we call home. We look forward to the next 55 years. “