About Hawthorne Cat
We help the Pacific Coast build better communities.
Hawthorne Cat is the exclusive, authorized Caterpillar dealer for San Diego County, Hawaii, Guam, Saipan, and American Samoa, headquartered in San Diego’s Rancho Bernardo. With a reach stretching over 6,000 miles, Hawthorne Cat serves one of the largest geographic territories of any Cat dealer.
The family of full-service Hawthorne Cat locations continues to grow, and currently employs more than 400 dedicated team members who manage heavy equipment sales, rentals, parts, service, financing, and more.
Founded by Family in San Diego
In 2005, Hawthorne’s son-in-law Tee Ness took the helm. In 2021, after nearly 16 years in the CEO role, Ness shifted into a new position as Hawthorne Cat’s chairman, and David K. Ness — his son and Tom Hawthorne’s grandson — became the third president and CEO in Hawthorne Cat history.
A 20-year Hawthorne Cat veteran with experience across power systems, sales, and operations, David Ness continues his family’s leadership legacy through a new era, carrying forward the mission his grandfather established: helping our customers build better communities.
In 1956, J.B. Hawthorne and son Tom Hawthorne founded Hawthorne Machinery Co., securing the Caterpillar dealership for San Diego, California, a region poised for growth.
Over the next five decades, Tom Hawthorne led the dealership through and with that growth, pioneering short-term equipment rental with Hawthorne Rentals and becoming one of the first U.S. Cat dealers to launch a dedicated Power Systems division. Under his leadership, the business expanded its reach across the Hawaiian and Pacific Islands.
More Than an Equipment Dealer
We're Your Full-Service Partner
New and used heavy equipment. Machine and attachment rentals. Genuine Cat parts, Cat-certified service, technology support, financing — whatever you need to make the most of every piece of equipment and every man hour, Hawthorne Cat can help.
EQUIPMENT SALES
Browse a broad inventory of new and used Cat and allied equipment.
EQUIPMENT RENTAL
Rent machines and equipment by the day, week, or month.
PARTS
Order Genuine Cat parts fast and easy, online or in person.
SERVICE + SUPPORT
Access Cat-certified service and support when you need it, 24/7.
TECHNOLOGY
Take advantage of leading technology, including Cat apps and telematics.
FINANCING
Choose from flexible Cat financing options for buying and renting.
Our Family of Brands
How Hawthorne Delivers More
The extended Hawthorne Cat family of brands broadens our capabilities into specialized areas while continuing our long-held commitment to expertise and exceptional service.
Community Is Part of Our Edge
We believe in showing up for the industries and communities we serve. Hawthorne Cat proudly supports the following:
Associations and Organizations:
- ABC Hawaii
- American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) San Diego Chapter
- American Rental Association
- Associated General Contractors of America – San Diego Chapter
- Associated Equipment Distributors (AED)
- Associated Subcontractors Alliance – San Diego Chapter
- BIA Hawaii
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego
- California Asphalt Pavement Association
- California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA)
- California Rental Association
- California Society for Healthcare Engineering, Inc.
- California Trucking Association
- Construction Industry of Maui
- Crime Prevention Program of Southern California (CPP)
- Electrical Generating Systems Association
- General Contractors Association of Hawaii (GCA Hawaii)
- Guam Contractors Association
- Hawaii Asphalt Paving Industry
- Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce
- Hawaii Island Contractors Association
- Hawaii Island Landscape Association
- Hawaii Society For Healthcare Engineering
- International Association of Electrical Inspectors (IAEI)
- International Facility Management Association – San Diego Chapter
- Maui Chamber of Commerce
- National Electrical Contractors Association – San Diego Chapter
- National Fire Protection Association
- NAWIC Hawaii Chapter 114
- Pacific Power Association
- Port of San Diego Ship Repair Association
- Propeller Club of San Diego
- San Diego Military Advisory Council
- San Diego Building Engineers Association
- The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank
- U.S. Superyacht Association
- Women’s Construction Coalition
- YMCA of San Diego County
C2C Power Solutions
Commercial and backup power generation solutions for businesses and critical operations
Ness Turf Equipment
Professional turf and grounds maintenance equipment, sales, and service
SiTech Hawaii
Construction technology solutions including Trimble positioning and machine control systems
Why Choose Hawthorne Cat?
Anyone can and will sell you a piece of iron. But what about after the sale?
At Hawthorne Cat, we go the extra mile for every customer, every time. Because your complete satisfaction as a partner, with Caterpillar and with Hawthorne Cat, is and always will be our highest priority. The Hawthorne Difference starts there.
Decades of Growth
Built on a Commitment to Customers
Dealership Founded
Current Employees
Square-Foot Facility
3
Generations of Family Leadership
Work With Hawthorne Cat
At Hawthorne, you’re supported, recognized, and empowered to grow, because we believe your potential goes further. Join a community where safety, teamwork, and purpose drive everything we do, and excellence is the standard.
Find Your Hawthorne Cat Location
Full-service Hawthorne Cat locations stretch across San Diego County, the Hawaiian Islands, Guam, Saipan, and American Samoa.
San Diego
Hawaii
San Diego
Associations We Support
Connecting With Our Community
We live in Hawthorne Cat’s communities. We work in Hawthorne Cat’s communities. And we care about Hawthorne Cat’s communities.
So our company actively and continuously supports industry organizations, workforce development programs, and community efforts that make a positive impact on our customers, employees, and neighbors.
Connect With Us
Machine repairs, equipment rentals, Genuine Cat parts, and more — the Hawthorne Cat team is here to help, whenever you need us.