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Industrial equipment

Caterpillar

United States equipment manufacturer whose South African dealer relationship with Barloworld began in 1927.

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Barloworld Equipment showroom with yellow Caterpillar machines
A Barloworld Equipment showroom with Caterpillar machines. Business Report published the supplied photograph in May 2025. Photo: Supplied via Business Report · Source

Caterpillar manufactures construction and mining equipment. [1]

The Barlow family business became its South African dealer in 1927. [1]

Caterpillar and Barloworld remain separate companies. [1][2]

History

The dealer relationship reached 95 years in 2022. [1]

Frequently asked questions

When did the Barloworld Caterpillar relationship begin?

It began in 1927, when Punch Barlow sold the company’s first Caterpillar tractor. [1]

Key milestones

  1. The Barlow business became Caterpillar’s South African dealer. [1]

Related articles

Related institutions

  • Barloworld — South African industrial processing, distribution and services group that became privately held in January 2026.
  • Thomas Barlow & Sons — Durban trading agency formed by Ernest Barlow in 1902 and predecessor of Barloworld.
  • Barloworld Equipment — Caterpillar dealer and industrial-equipment service business operating in African territories.

Sources

  1. Caterpillar, Barloworld Equipment celebrates 95 years as a Cat dealer, 2022-08-11. Original source. Accessed 2026-11-14. ↩
  2. Barloworld Equipment, About Barloworld Equipment. Original source. Accessed 2026-11-14. ↩