Cat stalwart retires

Westrac Cat Trucks Sales Manager Terry Harwood has retired after a 45-year association with the brand

Cat Trucks recently lost one of its most faithful supporters, with Westrac Cat Trucks Sales Manager Terry Harwood retiring in July after an unbroken 45 years of service to the Cat brand.

Perth-based Harwood began as an apprentice mechanic at the WA capital's former Wigmore's Cat dealership in 1969, but in recent years he has thrown his extensive knowledge and expertise behind furthering the footprint of Cat Trucks throughout Western Australia.

In the years in between Harwood was heavily involved in the sales and service platforms that supported Caterpillar's truck engines in what are some of the most demanding truck applications in the world.

Speaking at a recent farewell function in Perth, Mr Harwood expressed his heartfelt thanks for what has been a rich and rewarding career.

"Words cannot really express how grateful and satisfied I feel," he said.

"It has been my absolute pleasure and privilege to work with the Cat brand for so long and to be associated with customers who are some of the most remarkable people anyone could ever hope to meet."

Mr Harwood said he owed his career to the progressive nature of both the Westrac and Caterpillar businesses.

"My own progression from heavy equipment and machinery to truck engines and the Cat Trucks business is a perfect example of the programs within Westrac and Caterpillar that nurture people through the ranks," he said.

"It's a great way to build a career because it provides all the experience from the ground up and that's what allows you to understand the whole business, not just part of it.

"I think that is an absolutely critical factor, particularly when you're working closely with the trucking industry."

Mr Harwood's role has been filled by long-time colleague, Peter Calligaro.

"Peter has worked with me for many years and is fully committed to the company and its customers," said Mr Harwood.

"He's a professional who knows the product and the industry extremely well."

Mr Harwood now plans to enjoy his retirement with his wife and spend some time aboard his boat – a boat powered by Cat, of course.

While Mr Harwood's 45 years of service with Cat is impressive, it is in fact equal to that of his older brother, Gary. Gary also began as an apprentice at age 15 at Wigmore's, and also went on to spend 45 years with the Cat brand.

"It's definitely in the blood," says Terry.

Cat stalwart retires

Tags