Cat Lift Trucks will provide equipment and expertise including more than 100 forklifts for the Houston livestock show and rodeo from 25 February to 17 March.

More than two million people and 30,000 animals are expected for the event. The 2013 show and rodeo marks the ninth year Cat has served as the official forklift provider.

"As a Houston-based manufacturer, we're proud to support our city's world-renowned livestock show and rodeo and contribute to the immense benefits it brings to our community every year," says Kent Eudy, vice president of sales and marketing for Cat Lift Trucks. "We're honoured we can play an important role in helping the show run smoothly."

Cat and Houston dealership Adobe Equipment Houston LLC will provide a range of internal combustion pneumatic tyre forklifts ranging in capacity from 5,000-36,000 lbs. (2,250-16,200 kg) to meet the materials handling needs of the show. Adobe technicians will provide training for forklift operators and will be on hand around the clock to service and support all donated equipment.

Operators will use the Cat forklifts daily to unload trailers and move tons of animal feed, lumber, food supplies, water, visitor guides and merchandise. In addition, the forklifts will assist in the set-up and tear-down of exhibits and equipment needed for nightly performances.

The Cat Lift Truck business operates as a brand of Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America Inc, a joint venture that Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd of Tokyo and Caterpillar Industrial Inc of Peoria, Illinois formed in 1992.