Thompson Tractor Co. recently hosted more than 400 guests at the grand opening of its new Alabaster, Ala., branch facility, in the southern suburbs of Birmingham.

The opening of the 15,000-sq.-ft. Cat Rental Store and the new 53,000-sq.-ft. full-service Caterpillar branch facility attracted local governmental dignitaries; Caterpillar representatives from Peoria, Ill., and the Nashville, Tenn., district office; as well as the Thompson family, families of the branch staff, and, of course, its customers. Gov. Bob Riley and his wife, Patsy, also were in attendance. The crowd was treated to a steak dinner, some great music and lots of good old Southern hospitality.

Speaking at the event, Bill Mayo, Caterpillar’s vice president of the North American Commercial Division said he appreciated President and Owner Mike Thompson’s investment and conveyed his wishes for the success at this facility, as well as for their entire territory.

Riley also spoke to the crowd, touting the growth in Alabama and said: “We’re going to take care of existing Alabama industry just like we’ve taken care of international companies that have come into the state.” Riley congratulated the Thompsons and said they have a great family, great products, great reputation and a superb workforce.

Thompson said the builders of the facilities, Brasfield & Gorrie and its subcontractors, did a great job. He further stated that this $7.3 million investment now puts Thompson’s under-roof space of all its facilities at more than 1 million square feet.

The new Alabaster branch facility is located at 2070 Corporate Woods Drive.

For more information, call 205/664-4833.