Delivering innovation to our customers since 1883
Ever since Benjamin Holt produced his first horse-drawn harvester in the late 1800’s, the HOLT family of businesses have been delivering the products that move industries, and you, forward.
The Holt name has been associated with a heritage of innovation for more than 100 years
Texas First Rentals owners, Peter J. Holt and Corinna Holt Richter, are direct descendants of Benjamin Holt, who revolutionized farming in the late 1800’s with the Holt Combined Harvester and then in 1904 developed the first successful track-type tractor, which he named the "Caterpillar."
Innovation is EVERYTHING
Within Texas First Rentals and the entire family of Holt companies, delivering on the unique needs of construction, industrial and agriculture customers has meant everything from the onset of the original Caterpillar track-type tractor. All that we do is with the aim of delivering the best machines with legendary customer service — always improving along the way.
Values-based leadership
As with all Holt companies, Texas First Rentals is proud to employ the Values-Based Leadership™ management style, which connects employees, customers, shareholders and other stakeholders in a circle of involvement — so the activities of one group directly benefit the others. The process defines success in terms of managing by a set of ethical values. And our entire community of stakeholders has benefitted in a very real way by following such a process — not only by way of significant sales growth, but also a spirit of shared responsibility and tradition.
A pride you can see. A pride you can feel.
Texas First Rentals values date all the way back to the incredible work ethic of Benjamin Holt. Centered around a belief in unmatchable customer service, Benjamin Holt instilled many of the values that still live within Texas First Rentals to this day.
Designed to deliver what matters most.
HOLT’s values framework was shaped through a leadership initiative that began in 1988, developed in partnership with renowned experts Dr. Ken Blanchard and Dr. Michael O’Connor. Rooted in Values-Based Leadership®, the model emphasizes ethical decision-making, long-term impact, and stakeholder alignment. It has guided HOLT companies — including Texas First Rentals — in building trusted relationships and a strong, principled foundation for growth.
Vision
We manage by our business values to provide a safe, productive, fulfilling work environment for employees, legendary service for customers, and mutually beneficial outcomes for all stakeholders.
Values
ETHICAL “By doing the right thing”
SUCCESS “By consistently achieving targeted goals”
EXCELLENCE “By continually getting better”
COMMITMENT “By being here to stay”
DYNAMIC “By pursuing strategic opportunities”
Benjamin Holt developed “link belt” combined harvesters in the late 1880’s. By the turn of the century, Holt Manufacturing was the largest combine manufacturer in America and was exporting to countries around the world.
Finding that heavy farm equipment bogged down in the loose soil of the San Joaquin River Delta in California, Holt put his inventive mind to work again. In 1904, Holt Manufacturing introduced the first successful track-type tractor, which they named the "Caterpillar." Its continued success was assured once Holt found a way to power it with a gasoline engine in 1908.
As the company grew...
In 1925, Holt Manufacturing Company merged with one of its longtime competitors to form Caterpillar Tractor Company. Today, Caterpillar, Inc. is the world’s largest manufacturer of construction equipment.
In 1933, William K. “Bill” Holt, Benjamin’s second son, established the William K. Holt Machinery Co. in San Antonio, Texas, as a Caterpillar equipment dealership. The need for innovation was apparent in Texas. Regular requests for the design and fabrication of customized attachments for Cat machines is what first established Holt in the manufacturing business more than 80 years ago.
Seeing the need for specialized land-clearing equipment, Bill Holt encouraged the development of the Holt root plow during the 1940’s. In quick succession he developed other brush management implements and today HOLT land-clearing equipment is sold all over the world, a tribute to the second generation of Holt ingenuity.
Over the years, this custom design and manufacturing has included specialized tools, modifications to existing products, and development of unique products for unique customer applications.
That legacy today
Today, the original William K Holt Machinery company is known as HOLT CAT, the largest Caterpillar equipment dealership in the United States. HOLT CAT sells, rents and services Caterpillar machines, engines and generator sets in a 118-county territory in Texas.
The HOLT legacy also continues through Texas First Rentals — a company built on the same commitment to service, integrity, and innovation. As part of the Holt Texas, Ltd. family of companies, Texas First Rentals offers a wide range of construction and industrial equipment for rent across the state, backed by unmatched customer support and a team that puts safety and reliability first.
Our roots may go back to machines, but our future is grounded in people — the customers who rely on us, and the employees who carry forward the values that built this reputation.