Our History

Puckett Machinery Company became a Caterpillar Dealer on December 16, 1982 with sales and service responsibilities for 40 counties in central and southern Mississippi. Ben Puckett, Sr., board chairman, started work with this Mississippi heavy equipment dealership in 1953. He has been involved in the ownership and management of the company since 1962, when he became the youngest Dealer Principal in the history of Caterpillar at that time. He went on to become the company's sole owner on December 16, 1982. Throughout his 40 years with the company, Ben Puckett has successfully navigated the company through fierce competition and an ever-changing economic climate. He has carefully guided the company's growth to its present position as the largest equipment dealership in the state of Mississippi.

Following in Ben Puckett's footsteps is his son, Richard. Now the President and General Manager of Puckett Machinery Company, Richard Puckett has exercised his many years of experience in the heavy equipment business, along with a natural talent for leading people toward a common goal to further position the company as the leader in its field. As president, Richard Puckett is responsible for the overall operation and profitability of Puckett Machinery Company. He has an extensive sales-related background, having previously held the position of general sales manager, used equipment manager, and rental fleet manager, along with a number of other positions. Coupling his respect for tradition with his vision for the future, Richard Puckett insists on nothing less that the finest efforts of the part of all employees. The company is truly oriented and driven by the needs of our customers.

Corporate Overview

Puckett Machinery's corporate headquarters is based in Jackson. We have full-service branch stores in Hattiesburg, Meridian, Natchez, Gulfport and Brookhaven employing over 260 people. Construction, governmental and expanding forest products industries are major markets along with a dynamic industrial and marine base on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Major interstate systems run throughout Puckett Machinery's sales territory, offering easy access to all six stores. At Puckett Machinery, we're proud to touch just about every industry in Mississippi. Wherever there's an important job to be done, you'll probably find world famous Caterpillar equipment hard at work. Look around. Whether it's a Caterpillar dozer, backhoe or loader in the construction industry, a reliable marine engine in a shrimp boat, Cat paving equipment helping build a new road, a powerful truck engine hauling products from coast to coast, or a generator set ready to perform in the event of a power failure at a local hospital, we're on the job and doing what we do best.

Puckett Machinery Company is also an authorized dealer for a number of other non-competing equipment manufacturers. This complements Puckett Machinery's product line and enables Puckett Machinery act as a single-source supplier for all our customers' equipment needs. In the forest products industry, Prentice knuckleboom loaders and Hydro-Ax feller-bunchers are the standard. Working alongside tough Caterpillar skidders, these quality machines allow Puckett Machinery to provide the rapidly growing logging market with a full line of forest products machines.

Product Support

All Puckett Machinery Company facilities are fully stocked with genuine parts for all the equipment we sell. Experienced parts counter personnel find the right parts quickly to get our customers back to work. Almost every Cat part is on our parts shelves, ready to go. Those parts that aren't can normally be in our hands by the following morning.

In the equipment business, service is the name of the game. And that's where Puckett Machinery shines. All stores are fully equipped with the latest tooling and technology for fast, efficient repair of all equipment we sell. Over 100 expert service technicians constantly undergo intensive training to further sharpen their skills. Our customers know the importance of trained servicemen with the latest tooling and diagnostic equipment. Knowledgeable servicemen with cutting-edge technology offer our customers maintenance and repair work done fast, right, and cost effectively. Field Service Technicians with fully equipped service trucks are ready to go to make repairs at the customer's jobsite.

The very reputation of Puckett Machinery Company is founded on an unyielding commitment to providing our customers with the finest equipment and product support available. This dedication to excellence is not taken lightly-the ideal of providing an unmatched level of customer serve is evident throughout the entire Puckett Machinery Company team.

Our Vision Statement

Puckett Machinery Company's vision is to be recognized as the dominant heavy equipment and engine supplier in the state of Mississippi. Our industry leadership will be attained through superior merchandising of the finest available products and services in all markets we serve.

Our Mission Statement

Our mission is to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of our customers by providing cutting-edge technology, creativity, innovation, and well trained personnel to distribute and maintain the highest quality, most cost effective products and services available in each and every market we serve. Puckett Machinery Company is the Caterpillar heavy equipment and engine dealer for central and southern Mississippi. We offer our customers the highest quality products and an unmatched level of parts and service support from six strategically located stores. Our goal is for no customer in our sales territory to be more than an hour away form one of our full-service facilities. Financial Capabilities We have a wide range of financing options which enable us to custom tailor a plan to fit the varied needs of our customers.