Ring Power Corporation proudly announces their 50-year, golden anniversary as a Caterpillar dealership in Florida. In 1961, L.C. Ringhaver, the owner of the world’s largest shrimp boat manufacturer, Diesel Engine Sales, Inc. (DESCO), acquired the Caterpillar engine dealership rights from Jacksonville-based Gibbs Corporation. Originally established in St. Augustine, Fla., Ring Power Corp. was founded to sell and service Cat® marine engines to Northeast Florida’s thriving shrimp trawler industry.
Following the death of Cat dealer Lobrano Machinery Company’s president and owner, Tom Lobrano, Ring Power Corporation was awarded the dealer territory in Jacksonville, Ocala and Tallahassee, Fla. for the full line of Caterpillar equipment in March of 1962.
For the next 14 years, L.C. Ringhaver successfully developed the North Florida Caterpillar dealership, Ring Power Corporation, into a customer-focused, service-oriented establishment. Upon L.C. Ringhaver’s death in 1976, his eldest son, Lance Ringhaver, assumed leadership of the company as President and Chairman, a role he would retain until his acquisition of the Central Florida Caterpillar dealership, Rozier Machinery, 10 years later.
In 1986, Caterpillar awarded the Central Florida dealership rights to the Ringhavers. Lance Ringhaver moved to Tampa, Fla. to start a new dealership, Ringhaver Equipment Company, while Randy Ringhaver took leadership of Ring Power Corporation in Jacksonville. For nearly two decades, both Cat dealerships continued to flourish, taking on new business opportunities and products such as an expanded power systems line, rental equipment operations, forklifts, cranes, air compressors and utility equipment, all backed by parts and product support.
In 2004, Ringhaver Equipment Company and Ring Power Corporation officially merged into one consolidated company with Randy Ringhaver as Chairman and President of the new Ring Power Corporation. The combined Cat dealership territory now consists of 44 counties throughout North and Central Florida.
Ring Power Corporation, the North and Central Florida Caterpillar dealer, is headquartered in St. Augustine, Florida. Ring Power is comprised of eight divisions and has 50 years of experience servicing and supporting Caterpillar and allied equipment.