2024 marks an extraordinary milestone for CaTECH Systems—35th anniversary. Since 1989, we’ve grown from a small cabling company into a North American leader in IT infrastructure. Our journey has been shaped by incredible people, steadfast service, and the ability to evolve with the changing needs of the industry. To mark this occasion, we sat down with our Executive Vice President, Cathy Forrestall, to reflect on CaTECH’s growth, the challenges we’ve overcome, and the key factors behind our success.
CaTECH Systems Foundation: People and Relationships
When asked about the secret behind CaTECH’s longevity, Cathy highlighted the importance of our people.
“Our people have been with us a long time. They know their jobs inside out, they know their clients, and they’ve built great relationships with them. But it’s not just about relationships—it’s also about delivering great service.”
This emphasis on service and relationships is part of what has set CaTECH apart from competitors. As a company with over three decades of steady growth, we’ve stayed true to our values: quality service, strong relationships, and long-term commitments to both our clients and employees.
When CaTECH Systems Faced Challenges with Agility
Thirty-five years in the tech industry brings inevitable challenges. From economic downturns to the COVID-19 pandemic, CaTECH has faced its share of disruptions. According to Cathy, our ability to adapt has been essential to staying on course:
“We’ve seen industry changes, fluctuating interest rates, and, of course, the pandemic. Our ability to be agile, make quick decisions, and see what’s coming around the corner has been a huge reason for our success.”
This agility has allowed us to weather storms that have caused many competitors to falter. As Cathy mentioned, numerous companies in our space have gone bankrupt or been acquired, yet CaTECH has remained independent and continued to thrive.
Evolution of Services
In 1989, CaTECH started as a cabling company. Today, we offer a full suite of IT infrastructure solutions, including data centers, audio-visual (AV) systems, and electrical services. This evolution didn’t happen overnight, but was driven by a clear vision and an ability to adapt to client needs.
“Scott [CaTECH’s founder] had a vision to add services while we were in a client’s environment. It was a natural progression. Our technicians have adapted over the years by honing their skills and cross-training across services.”
The flexibility of our workforce, combined with a culture of continual learning, has allowed CaTECH to stay ahead in a rapidly changing industry. By focusing on the long-term development of our employees, we’ve built a team that can handle the complex demands of modern IT infrastructure.
A Family Atmosphere, Even as We Grow
One of the most remarkable aspects of CaTECH’s growth is that, even as we’ve expanded across the country, we’ve managed to retain our family-oriented culture. According to Cathy, this culture has been key to both employee retention and client satisfaction.
“We’ve been able to keep that family atmosphere even though we’re not a small company anymore. We care about our employees as individuals, and that extends to our clients. Whether it’s bringing in dogs to the office or understanding when someone needs to take a break, we value the human side of things.”
This human touch, combined with a personalized approach to both clients and projects, has allowed us to maintain strong client relationships and build a loyal workforce.
Adaptation to Industry Changes
Over the past 35 years, the IT infrastructure industry has seen seismic shifts in technology, regulations, and client expectations. CaTECH’s leadership team, many of whom started in the field, has been instrumental in guiding us through these changes. Cathy noted that almost all of our project managers and much of the estimating team have risen from within the company, giving them unique insights into the challenges and time requirements of fieldwork. This hands-on experience ensures that decisions are grounded in practical realities, rather than abstract strategies.
“Because our management team understands how things work on the ground, they’re better equipped to make decisions that benefit both our clients and our employees.”
The Future of CaTECH: AI, people and infrastructure
As we look ahead to the future, Cathy emphasized that human interaction will continue to be at the heart of our services. CaTECH is committed to staying ahead of the curve by continuing to invest in people and adapt to industry trends, for instance AI. While technology will continue to evolve, the personal touch that has made us successful will remain a cornerstone of how we do business.
Looking Back with Gratitude
As we celebrate 35 years, we want to take a moment to thank everyone who has been part of CaTECH’s journey—our clients, our partners, and, most importantly, our team. From our long-term employees to the new hire who are just beginning their careers with us, each of you has contributed to making CaTECH what it is today.
Here’s to 35 years of innovation, teamwork, and success—and many more to come!
Fabulous article! Happy to be part of the team!!