When Gregory Poole Equipment Co. celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2021, a lot had changed for the Caterpillar dealer. This statement is even more true as the company celebrated its 75th anniversary on April 1, 2026. In just five years, the company has added hundreds of employees, new locations and announced a planned relocation of its headquarters.
Eastern North Carolina is a growing region — frequently named as one of the fastest-growing states in the country. North Carolina was named the number one state for domestic (state-to-state) migration in January 2026. Based on the percentage of population growth, the state ranks third.
"That has a huge impact on our territory and the ever-changing needs of our customers," said Greg Poole III, owner and CEO.
To account for the growth in the area, Gregory Poole Equipment Co. has grown alongside its customers to meet their needs. Part of this effort includes a focus on expanding its rental capabilities through Gregory Poole Cat Rentals.
Renting equipment gives customers access to the same high-quality Cat and allied equipment without the high upfront cost of ownership. It also allows customers to temporarily use equipment needed for specific projects they might not need in their everyday fleet.
Gregory Poole Cat Rentals operates at multiple Gregory Poole Equipment Co. locations, and the dealership has opened rental storefronts across the eastern part of the state. These Gregory Poole Cat Rentals locations supply and service rental machines, feature a stocked parts warehouse and retail space, and have the capabilities to service compact equipment.
"At the heart of this investment, it's really a core focus, and it's our customers. That's the only reason we do these things. We're responding to your requests. We're responding to the growth of eastern North Carolina," Greg Poole IV, executive vice president, said at the opening of a new rental store in 2025.
The most recent Gregory Poole Cat Rentals location opened in Wilmington in March 2026. Including the 13 locations of its Gregory Poole Lift Systems division, the company operates 28 branches across eastern North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.
Another Gregory Poole Cat Rentals location is set to open later this year.
One thing that has always set Gregory Poole Equipment Co. apart from competitors is its customer service, according to the company. Customers know they can count on the company to meet, if not exceed, expectations. This dedication to excellent customer experience developed from the moment the company was founded in 1951.
"My grandfather started this business from being a user of Caterpillar equipment. He had a user mentality, and he instilled that philosophy in the people around him to listen to the customer," Greg Poole III said.
To continue offering the best customer experience possible, Gregory Poole Equipment Co. plans to grow once again. In October 2025, the Cat dealer announced its headquarters will move from Raleigh to Garner in the coming years. The move is estimated to bring hundreds of jobs to the area and accommodate its growing customer base while maintaining its hands-on customer approach.
"Regardless of scale, we are always the small, local family-owned company that anybody can pick up the phone and call. We're always going to have extremely close relationships, and nothing is ever going to be transactional with us," said Greg Poole IV.
For more information, visit gregorypoole.com.
