Meet the Team
A Legacy Built to Support the Marine Industry
Thompson Marine is a proud symbol of loyalty, trusted experience, and hard work. From day one, we have been delivering dependable, expert-driven marine equipment engineered with safety, trust, and innovation in mind. What began as a small, determined team has evolved into a powerhouse.
Thompson Marine is a division of Thompson Tractor Co., Inc., a family-owned company founded in Birmingham, Alabama in 1957 by Hall W. Thompson. For nearly seven decades, Thompson Tractor has served as the authorized Caterpillar dealer for Alabama and northwest Florida, growing from three locations and 39 counties to a network of more than 30 locations and over 1,600 employees across the region. In 2019, Lucy Thompson Marsh became Dealer Principal, continuing the fourth generation of Thompson family leadership and carrying forward a company built on an unwavering commitment to customer service.
Thompson Marine was born out of that same commitment. Thirty years after Thompson Tractor opened for business, the company expanded its territory by acquiring the southern half of Alabama and the Florida Panhandle, and with that expansion came the marine division. At the time, Thompson Marine operated with a single sales representative, managed out of the Birmingham office more than 200 miles from the coast. This expansion meant forging new relationships, establishing a coastal headquarters, and adapting to the distinct needs of the Gulf region. Operating under the Power Systems name, a prime product sales division was soon established in Spanish Fort, Alabama, and over time the team grew to six dedicated members.
Forward Momentum
By 2016, Thompson Marine entered a new era of growth. Caterpillar approached our team with an opportunity to take on the Cat Propulsion line of business, a move that marked a defining moment in our journey. While the world slowed down in 2020, Thompson Marine pressed forward. In 2023, we became the authorized Berg Propulsion distributor in the United States, expanding our reach and reinforcing our reputation for excellence.
Marine Experts
Today, Thompson Marine is home to a team of more than 30 marine specialists whose combined experience spans hundreds of years in the field. We are proud to support our customers from start to finish, and long after that. From engineering and project management to design and service of Caterpillar Marine Engines and Berg Propulsion systems, we stand by our products for life.
