Finning Celebrates it's 75th Anniversary
Finning History
Humble Origins
For 75 years, Finning has provided its customers with great solutions – the product support they need to get the most value from their Caterpillar equipment investment. This commitment to customer support is the cornerstone of our company and stems from the vision of our founder, Earl B. Finning.
Finning Tractor & Equipment Co. Ltd. was incorporated on January 4, 1933 in Vancouver with just six employees and the motto: “We service what we sell.” At first, the company grew slowly as customers became accustomed to the idea of using the heavy equipment Caterpillar had to offer. At the time, replacement parts had to be ordered from a Seattle dealer, while repair work was farmed out to a local car dealership.
The War Years
Finding this arrangement unacceptable, Earl B. Finning opened his own parts and repair departments. Just four years later, the company’s growth trajectory was firmly established as our first branch opened in Nelson in 1937. A period of phenomenal growth followed, spurred by the production of natural resources in support of the war effort. During the war years, Finning was also asked to inaugurate a training program for tank mechanics, later, the courses were modified and offered internally. The company continues the tradition today as a leader in the area of technical training and employee development.
The forties and fifties
Throughout the 40s and 50s, expansion continued as Caterpillar’s product line broadened. Product support was delivered to customers’ doorsteps through a growing number of branches and resident mechanics and often by boat or float plane. The determination to add value to Caterpillar products was paying off – a mid-60s customer survey revealed that Finning’s parts market share exceeded 80 percent.
The Swinging Sixties
The 60s boom saw our customers undertake major dam and highway construction projects. Growing markets and the need to access additional capital moved Finning to become a publicly traded company in 1969, a rare step for a Caterpillar dealership. To this day we remain one of only a handful of publicly held Caterpillar dealers.
Seventies to Nineties
In 1976, the company expanded into the far North when it was awarded the Yukon territory. In the 80s and 90s, Finning took its “we service what we sell” formula internationally, acquiring dealership territories in the UK and South America. In Canada, the R. Angus Caterpillar dealership in Alberta was acquired, making us a key supplier to the oil and gas industry and the oilsands.
In acknowledgement of our presence in three countries, the company changed its name to Finning International Inc. on April 25, 1997.
Present Time
Today, 13,000 Finning employees, working in Canada, South America and the U.K., celebrate 75 years of success, thanks to a strong tradition of great people, great solutions and great results.