Patten Industries Inc. has a rich history that spans more than seven decades.
The company began in 1933 when B.C. Patten Sr. purchased W.B. Louer Co., an early Chicago construction equipment dealer. Patten Tractor was born with a single service shop and 13 highly skilled employees.
In 1945, Patten broke ground in Bellwood, IL, for its new headquarters. It was the country’s first heavy equipment sales and service center ever built for that purpose.
By 1967, B.C. Patten Jr. assumed ownership of the current Elmhurst headquarters. Patten Power Systems was launched in 1975, and in 1985, Crane Patten, B.C.’s son, purchased the company.
In the following years, Patten opened more facilities and started Patten Rental Service. Now, with seven locations, Patten’s fourth generation, Garrett Patten, is the co-dealer principal and general manager of construction products.
“When my great grandfather got into the business initially he was turning wrenches, and he formed a Caterpillar dealership,” Garrett said. “At that time he had 13 employees. Today, we’ve grown to over 600 employees. And in that growth, we’ve developed a power systems division, we have a large rental fleet, and we’ve also developed a large used parts division that we take a lot of pride in. And I think those changes and the growth of what we’ve experienced is due to the Chicago market. We have great customers.”
Patten’s product support group offers shop and field parts and service in 17 counties of Illinois and two counties of Indiana. This group provides first-class parts and service for customers’ Cat and non-Cat equipment.
With an online parts store, more than 90,000 parts inventoried, quick delivery and highly trained technicians, Patten is ready to repair your machines quickly using the latest technology. Patten offers hydraulic system service, fabrication and welding, undercarriage rebuilds and component rebuilds.
Patten construction products group provides compact and heavy equipment used in road work, building construction, quarry/aggregate, landscape, specialty trade projects and other industries. The Caterpillar equipment product line includes more than 300 machines and sets the standard for the industry.
Patten power systems division is a great source for genuine Caterpillar engines with sales, parts, and service for Caterpillar truck and industrial engines, as well as a full line of rental products. As a complete integrated systems solutions provider, it strives to improve reliability for its customers. Look to Patten for automatic transfer switches, paralleling switchgear, emission solutions, standby power, portable rental power, uninterruptible power supplies, preventive maintenance and more. Patten Power Systems stresses the importance of reliable power to its customers.
Patten’s on-highway solutions team provides sales, service and parts for all makes and models of trucks and truck engines. Its five-star service is available to all on-highway vehicles including fire trucks, school buses, recreational vehicles and motor coaches. The company also sells auxiliary power units, battery-powered systems and fuel fired heaters.
Patten also offers alternative solutions with a vast used and rental equipment inventory of quality pre-owned and new Cat and non-Cat machines and accessories. Each piece of used equipment goes through an intense and complete examination process to determine condition level and repairs that may be needed. If a machine is not available, Patten will locate it through its worldwide used equipment network.
Patten is a one-stop equipment rental choice. Renting by the day, week or month, Patten will meet your needs.
In conclusion Garrett Patten explained, “The great thing about being a Caterpillar dealer and in the industry we are in — we’ve touched everything. We’ve seen the city grow and we’ve been part of helping this city and suburbs grow.”
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