From oil fields to natural gas basins, J-W Power Company keeps energy flowing with its reliable compression solutions. For 60 years, they’ve been leaders in the gas compression industry. Today, J-W is the largest privately owned compression company in the U.S., and they’re showing no signs of slowing down.

“We’re highly focused on the compression business,” says J-W CEO John Dutton. “We’re investing about $50 million a year building new equipment for the rental fleet. Probably the biggest change over the last 20, 25 years has been larger and larger equipment.”

Larger equipment means larger investments, and J-W has never been afraid to bet big on its future. But no one builds alone. You need the right people in your corner. A key factor in J-W’s growth and success has been its long-standing relationship with Caterpillar and Cat Financial, which has provided the equipment and financial support needed to scale operations and navigate industry challenges.

Operating a gas compression company requires large investments in equipment and strong connections to financial institutions that are willing to back the business. J-W works with a syndicate of lenders to support their operations—but knowing someone like Cat Financial has your back is a game-changer.

“What we really like about Cat Financial is they understand our business,” John explains. “It’s very asset-based, heavy on the equipment side. They understand that. They’re comfortable with it. And they can help lead conversations with other banks who might not be.”

That understanding makes a world of difference. When you’re investing millions into new equipment, you need a financial partner who understands you and your industry.

At its core, J-W’s business is built around two things: keeping equipment running and delivering for its customers. But that’s not always easy. Gas compression is a high-capital business. Equipment is expensive. Lead times can be long. And everything rides on keeping machines reliable in the field.

“We’ve seen a real shift toward bigger equipment over the last couple of decades,” John says. “That comes with a higher price tag, and more pressure to get it right.”

J-W’s customers rely on them for highly specialized, custom-built gas compression packages that often push the limits of current technology. From mobile trailer units to ultra-high-pressure systems, their ability to engineer one-of-a-kind solutions sets them apart. Meeting these diverse requirements means J-W has to maintain flexibility in equipment design, supply chain coordination, and financing solutions that support the development of complex, custom-built systems.

Cat Financial really proves its worth by providing customized solutions that match how J-W runs its business—whether that’s financing large engine packages, managing rebuilds, or helping structure deals that make long-term growth possible.

“A good example of that is about ten years ago, we did an acquisition, and we needed to bridge some financing before we could get something else in place. We were able to work with Cat Finance and do some specific kind of project-based financing on that loan,” John stated. “It was still at a competitive rate that helped us. We were able to do that because they understood the business, they understood the equipment, and they were comfortable doing that type of loan. It’s what they do every day.”

Cat Financial has been serving this space for decades. That experience provides understanding of the kinds of challenges companies like J-W are up against, and knowledge of how to show up with options that work.

Beyond traditional loans, Cat Financial offers a toolbox of products that help companies like J-W manage the full lifecycle of their equipment.

Need to rebuild an engine? Cat Financial has financing for that. Want to cover unexpected repair costs? Extended Service Coverage (ESC) is there to fill the gap when warranties run out.

Cat Financial offers commercial accounts such as the Cat Card, which makes it easier to pay for parts and service. For businesses that are constantly on the move, both physically and financially, this level of flexibility makes a big difference.

JW's story is proof of what’s possible when the right people and the right solutions come together to support your business goals.