Since becoming an authorized Caterpillar® Dealer in 1929, Tractor & Equipment Co. (or “T&E”) has grown from its roots in Sidney, Montana, to a multi-store operation servicing central and eastern Montana, western North Dakota, and northern Wyoming.
In 1994, T&E purchased our fellow member company, N C Machinery, an official Caterpillar® dealer since 1926, operating in Alaska and western/central Washington.
Today, T&E, with fourth-generation management at the helm, continues successfully partnering with our customers, delivering unrivaled support and superior equipment every day. With 8 support facilities in Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls, Helena, Williston, and Worland—and 12,000 years of combined experience at your disposal—we are in business to help you succeed.
Please contact us today to begin, or to continue, a successful partnership.
1926
N C is officially named the Caterpillar dealer for Alaska.
1929
J.J. Niehenke founded Tractor & Equipment Co. in the real half of a blacksmith’ shop in Sidney, Montana and became an official Caterpillar dealer.
1948
N C Machinery opens in Washington.
1953
John H. Harnish, the son-in-law of J.J. Niehenke, was elected President and General manager. At this time, Tractor & Equipment Co. had facilities in Sidney, Glasgow, and Miles City, Montana.
1963
Tractor & Equipment Co. acquired Nash Davis Machinery Co., the neighboring Caterpillar dealer which established Billings, Montana as the main office.
1982
John J. Harnish was named President. The company moves the Sidney, Montana branch operation to Williston, North Dakota for increased support to customer in that territory.
1985
Tractor & Equipment Co. acquired ABBCO, Inc., the Caterpillar Dealer in North Central Montana with the main branch located in Great Falls, Montana. This acquisition combined with Tractor & Equipment Co.’s branches now represented the following counties and areas:
44 (of 56) counties in Montana
5 counties in Northwestern North Dakota
4 counties in Wyoming and Yellowstone National Park
1994
Tractor & Equipment Co. acquired N C Machinery Co. a Caterpillar dealer with significant presence in the following cities and states:
In Alaska: Anchorage, Fairbanks, Wasilla, Juneau, Prudhoe Bay, and Dutch Harbor.
In Washington: Seattle, Mt. Vernon, Chehalis, Wenatchee, Monroe, Port Angeles, Yakima, and Fife.
The acquisition included territories in Magadan and Chukota, Russia.
1998
Tractor & Equipment Co. acquired Montana Power and Equipment Co. which was renamed Machinery Power and Equipment Co., a local rental company in Helena, Montana.
2000
In the new millennium, Corporate service became Harnish Group Inc., a holding company in which the following business units became wholly owned and subsidiaries of Harnish Group Inc.:
Tractor & Equipment Co.
N C Machinery Co.
Machinery Power & Equipment Co.
N C Power Systems Co.
2011
SITECH Northwest Inc. was established, allowing US sales and service of navigational devices for heavy machinery and equipment.
2018
John W. Harnish named Dealer Principal for N C Machinery.
2023
John W. Harnish appointed President and Chief Operating Officer effective January 1, 2023.
2026
N C Machinery celebrates 100 years as a Caterpillar dealer in Alaska.
2029
Tractor & Equipment Co. celebrates 100 years as a Caterpillar dealer.
Contact Tractor & Equipment Co. today for all of your equipment needs!
Construction sites and material handling jobs can benefit a great deal from having Cat® equipment on hand to deliver the level of performance they need to succeed. With Cat® construction equipment in your fleet, you can stay productive and profitable every day of every project.
