With the liberalization of the economy in July 1977, UTE purchased its present property at Union Place and 2 acres at Wattala.

This was a commitment that had to be made when applying for re-appointment as the official distributor for Caterpillar.

The speed at which progress was taking place in Sri Lanka created more opportunities than UTE could handle. International Contractors involved in the several multi purpose hydropower and irrigation projects under the accelerated Mahaweli Development Scheme, were pouring into Sri Lanka, bringing with them Caterpillar machines that were literally as big as houses. It was these International Contractors who demanded a standard of service unheard of in Sri Lanka at that time.

UTE had to make large financial commitments in tooling, training and spare parts, in order to respond to these needs. Although resources were depleted, by December 1978, land values had soared and the Bank of Ceylon had sufficient confidence to provide the required capital to UTE. However by 1981 and after the death of Pin Fernando, UTE's management skills had to be supplemented by expatriate experts who were familiar with the new systems and procedures required of a modern Caterpillar Dealer. It was this extra commitment that has today made us the leaders we are, in the field of Product Support Services for industrial equipment.