Category: Concrete Services

Takeuchi has named GT Mid Atlantic locations in Folcroft, Pennsylvania; Vineland, New Jersey; and Freehold, New Jersey as dealers. All three locations will sell and support Takeuchi’s compact equipment, including excavators, track loaders and wheel loaders.

GT Mid Atlantic will add sales professionals at the locations to support the product line. GT Mid Atlantic, an entity of Groff Tractor, serves Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware and the Philadelphia area.

P&K Equipment acquires Standridge Equipment Co.

P&K Equipment has acquired two John Deere stores from Standridge Equipment Co., expanding its footprint to 20 locations throughout Oklahoma and Arkansas.  

P&K will retain most Standridge employees, including Trey Adams and Josh Adams, who will continue to lead the Chickasha, Oklahoma and Duncan, Oklahoma locations.

Doosan expands Canadian presence

To better serve customers in Manitoba, Doosan North America is partnering with C&C Rentals. The Brandon, Manitoba-based location will offer Doosan crawler excavators, wheel excavators, mini excavators, wheel loaders, log loaders and material handlers.

JESCO celebrates 10 years with Ditch Witch

JESCO is marking the 10th anniversary of its partnership with underground utility equipment manufacturer Ditch Witch.

JESCO says it has sold more than 2,000 mini-skid steers, nearly 3,000 Hammerhead moles and almost 500 vibratory plows across all locations during the past decade. The dealership serves the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast markets.

MANUFACTURERS & SUPPLIERS

Blastrac, Diamatic to be rebranded as Husqvarna Construction

Husqvarna Construction has announced it will be rebranding its Blastrac and Diamantic surface preparation products and integrating them into the Husqvarna offering.

The first wave of rebranded products will launch in mid-2022 and will complement the Husqvarna’s existing lineup of floor grinding, scarifying and scraping equipment. The second wave targeting spring 2023 will include shot-blasting solutions and associated dust extractors.

Husqvarna acquired Blastrac in January 2021.

Sullair acquires Compressor-Pump & Service

Sullair has acquired its Salt Lake City-based distributor, Compressor-Pump & Service. CPS will continue to operate under the same name while servicing, selling and renting Sullair industrial and portable compressed air equipment.

The distributor serves an 83-county territory which spans Utah, Northern, Central & Western Nevada, Southeastern Oregon, Central & Southern Idaho, and Southwestern Wyoming. All employees will remain with the company through the transition.

First Financial to acquire Summit Funding Group

First Financial Bancorp. has entered into an agreement to acquire Cincinnati-based Summit Funding Group, the fourth largest independent equipment financing platform in the United States. 

Summit will operate as a subsidiary of First Financial, with all current associates continuing in their positions, including Founder and CEO Rick Ross. The transaction is expected to close in 2021.

Gearflow Named one of 2021’s ‘Most Disruptive MBA Startups’

Poets&Quants has named Gearflow.com, a construction equipment parts marketplace, one of 2021’s “most disruptive MBA startups.” The honor recognizes startups that have the greatest potential for lasting beyond business school.

Gearflow aims to solve the fragmented parts procurement process and its related strain on construction productivity, by allowing equipment owners to quickly find the parts they need from trusted suppliers.

To date, Gearflow has raised $4.6 million, which includes a $3-million seed round in June 2021 and a strategic partnership with CNH Industrial, the parent company of Case Construction Equipment and New Holland Construction Equipment. 

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During the pandemic, we have seen an uptick in equipment purchases, and with that comes an increased demand in service departments.

This can be a good thing, especially during slower months, but many dealers are now complaining about slower response times from customers, and a backlog in equipment being worked on.

According to a recent study, more than 88% of dealers said that they need to save time and be more efficient in their service department. Around 61% of dealers said that saving time in parts and service was their big focus on 2022.

One of the main issues we are seeing so far is centered around communication between customer and dealer.

New data shows that 89% of customers prefer to have businesses send a text rather than call. This is a trend that has been growing through the pandemic. Customers want simple and direct responses to get what they want.

We also found that 98% of all text messages sent to customers are opened, and customers are seven times more likely to text you back after getting a text, than call back after getting a voicemail. This means dealers don’t need to play phone tag with customers anymore, they can text and get a response within minutes.

Make sure you don’t wait for the customer to reach out to you. Send customers a quick text with updates even if they aren’t asking for it. Tell them what you are working on, and maybe tell them what they can do to improve their equipment.

This will significantly cut down on time in service departments. If you need approval to fix something, send the customer a text with an update. You will get a quick response, rather than waiting for the customer to call you back or return a voicemail.

In recent months, we found 95% percent of all text messages are responded to within 3 minutes. No waiting around. You can get approval, get to work, and get the customer out the door.

In addition to getting approval for fixes, dealers need to have a quick and easy plan in place to allow customers to pre-pay or set up a time to come get their equipment. During the pandemic, we saw that customers do not want to wait around in-person. They want to stay distant, get updates, and limit interactions.

In the data we collected from dealers, we have seen a four-fold increase in text-to-pay in just the past year. We are also seeing some dealers running 80% of their parts and service payments through text-to-pay.

One of the key things to remember is to make the customer feel like they are part of the team. Anyone in the service department can send reminders, pictures, and videos showing what’s being worked on to let the customer experience what is being done first-hand.

If you somehow get into a lull and are looking to increase traffic in your service department, there are some simple things you can do to get things moving, and it doesn’t need to center around cold calling.

Text everyone who has bought from you in the last three years. You can set up automated reminders through any texting platform, so you don’t have to call. You can also space out these reminders to keep things flowing at a good pace in your service department during slower months.

Have a plan in place to ensure things keep moving. Make sure you keep track of who has come through your service department in recent weeks, who you have sold to, and who you are trying to target to the work flowing.

KenectKeep in mind, customers want to be texted. Phone calls just won’t cut it anymore. The pandemic has changed the way service departments operate, not just in-house, but for customers as well. Make sure you are meeting the customers in the platforms they are getting used to so you can keep communication clear, and service departments operating fully.

Ben Leighton is a Content Marketing Specialist with Kenect, a provider of simple texting tools to connect businesses with their customers. 

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Vermeer MV Solutions has opened a new manufacturing facility in Piedmont, South Carolina for the company’s vacuum excavation equipment and technology.

The company held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate Vermeer Corporation’s investment to keep more than 150 manufacturing jobs in South Carolina in support of the growing Vermeer MV Solutions business and vacuum excavation industry.

Vermeer Corporation formed Vermeer MV Solutions after the purchase of McLaughlin, a South Carolina-based drill tooling and vacuum excavation manufacturer, in 2017 and Vac-Tron, a Florida-based vacuum excavation manufacturer, in 2018. Vermeer says the acquisition and integration of the two companies built on the Vermeer strategy provides a comprehensive suite of vacuum excavation technology, equipment, training and support to the growing underground utility and soft-dig markets.

“Thank you to the team members that are going to work in this facility for many years to come, designing, building and supporting the incredible equipment that’s going to come out of this facility,” says Vermeer President and CEO Jason Andringa. “We’re excited to see what you will do with this facility.”

This 130,000-square-foot manufacturing workspace sits on 43 acres and features air-conditioned break rooms, conditioned air on the factory floor and a market offering healthy break options for all team members. The new location also has the option to expand the footprint even farther with future growth.

“The Vermeer MV Solutions team everyday here and in Florida come to work and lead the market in vacuum excavation,” says Doug Hundt, Vermeer president, industrial solutions. “We anticipate a lot of volume through this facility, and it will become Vermeer’s center of excellence for truck vac excavation.”

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Is it too soon to talk about Bauma, the big European equipment show held every three years in Munich?

We think not, especially when the previews demonstrate what is arguably the biggest and most significant trend in heavy equipment — electrification.

In this particular case, Yanmar gave the press a preshow preview of its first electric mini excavator prototype: the new SV17e. The company positions this machine as an important strategic step in the transformation for Yanmar Compact Equipment and indicative of the direction of the company.

“Our transformation will embrace our entire business and will encompass new products with alternative-fuel technologies,” says Giuliano Parodi, CEO of Yanmar. “The SV17e prototype is a demonstration of our intent to build a sustainable business for our customers and dealer partners.”

Without a diesel engine the overall size and weight of this excavator can be greatly reduced.YanmarThe SV17e mini excavator is aimed at customers in the European market and plays in the 1.5- to 2-metric-ton segment. It is powered by an electric drive with 48-volt batteries and fast charging capability. At zero emissions it not only passes the greenhouse gas test but is also quiet and suitable for indoor and confined-space operations where diesel exhaust emissions pose health hazards to workers.

“The operator is at the heart of this machine, and we have challenged ourselves to deliver the comfort, power, control and precision which we believe will surpass the expectations of professional operators,” says Cedric Durand, director product management.

In preparation for its sales start at Bauma 2022 (October 24 – 30), the prototype SV17e is currently undergoing a product testing regime including field tests.

If you don’t want to wait until Bauma to see the new SV17e in action, Yanmar Compact Equipment has prepared a short film. Watch the SV17e video here: 

And Yanmar isn’t alone in this race to electrification. Check out our other reporting on this topic at the links below:

Cat on electric construction equipment: “We are ready.”Bauma Preview: Kobelco Construction Machinery Europe to show company’s first electric compact excavatorKomatsu, Honda Team Up to Build Micro Electric ExcavatorsJCB, Takeuchi, Ditch Witch and Toro show off electric compact construction equipment at rental show

“Mary” the tunnel boring machine has arrived for Virginia’s largest ever infrastructure project.

The 9-million-pound TBM will dig two 8,000-foot-long tunnels for the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel Expansion Project.

The new tunnels will take more than two years to build and will be about 50 feet deeper than the existing tunnels. The $3.8 billion project will increase tunnel capacity and widen 10 miles of Interstate 64 between the cities of Hampton and Norfolk from four to eight lanes in places, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.

It is one of the largest infrastructure projects in the country and is expected to be completed in 2025.

The interstate section is one of the state’s most congested, with traffic backing up as much as 6 miles during rush hour, VDOT says.

The Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel Expansion Project is expected to be completed in 2025.Virginia DOTMary is named after Mary Winston Jackson, an African-American mathematician and aerospace engineer at NASA from Hampton. The TBM was built in Germany and then disassembled to be shipped to Norfolk.

It will take about six months to reassemble the 170-piece TBM in a 65-foot-deep launching pit on South Island. When reassembled it will be 46 feet tall and more than 430 feet long. It will tunnel at 50 feet per day, not only digging but installing concrete panels along the way.

The TBM will start on the South Island and tunnel to the North Island. That should take about a year. Then the machine will be turned around, a four-month process, and dig back to the South Island for another year of tunneling.

The project is expected to create 28,000 jobs and generate $4.6 billion in economic impact, according to VDOT.

Check out this concept video of what the future HRBT will look like when completed:

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And here’s one that shows a time-lapse of Mary’s construction in Germany:

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Mary was built by Herrenknecht at a cost of $101 million, which included shipping.

Here’s a video that demonstrates the tunneling process, provided by the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel District and Dragados/Chesapeake Tunnel Joint Venture:

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The contractor on the HRBT Expansion is a joint venture with Dragados USA serving as the lead contractor and HDR and Mott MacDonald as lead designers. Other team members: Flatiron Constructors, Vinci Construction, and Dodin Campenon Bernard.

The South Island of the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel is being prepared for tunnel boring machine Mary’s reassembly in a 65-foot-deep launching pit.Virginia DOT

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Working alongside his family in the homebuilding business, development and site work, Kevin Ennis knew he would have his own company someday.

“Just seeing the flexibility and the freedom they had was always intriguing to me,” says Ennis. “I think you realize, if you’re ambitious, you can plow your own path. The older I got it drove me to create something of my own.”

Anything that is, except a homebuilding company. “I just like equipment. I like machines. I enjoy being in the dirt and being able to start something and finish it relatively quick and see a result,” he says. Rather than pounding nails, Ennis started working for himself doing environmental inspections and erosion-control consultations. It was a new and rapidly changing field and many of the developers and large contractors didn’t have the time or staffed expertise to keep up with the constantly changing rules and regulations. That gave Ennis great opportunities.

“I did a lot of self-educating and research,” he says. “My wife had just started med school, and we didn’t have kids then, so I had a lot of time to do it. And fortunately, the market was not saturated, and I could generate revenue. All you needed was a computer, a set of wheels and healthy legs.”

Ennis became partners with the original owners of Eco Turf, Andy Smith and Clayton Phillis, in 2003 on a handshake deal, giving the company a new partner and a more diverse set of offerings for customers.

In addition to leveraging his knowledge of environmental inspections, Ennis expanded the company into design, inspection and installation of erosion-control measures, such as stormwater ponds, reconstructed wetlands and bioretention devices, to help clients stay compliant with local, state and federal environmental regulations. After Phillis decided to relocate to Florida, Smith and Ennis bought him out. (Smith, who was vice president, has recently retired.)

When the recession of 2008-2009 hit, Ennis and Smith endured some anxious nights. Neither took a salary for a while. They put the capital back into the company to keep it afloat.

Then an interesting thing happened.

As the recession wore on and contractors and developers started abandoning projects, it became clear that if somebody didn’t shore up the erosion control and environmental aspects of the sites, the financially responsible parties could be liable for civil penalties. Given the scope of its work, Eco Turf quickly found itself categorized as a critical vendor. This resulted in a growing number of emergency no-bid, get-it-done-now contracts that helped sustain the company during the downturn.

Large projects like this bioretention pond are a key part of Eco Turf’s installation business.Equipment World

Inspections + installations

Today installations are the bread and butter of the company, but environmental inspections and permitting are still a crucial part of its success.

Of its 80-plus employees, 30 are involved in the environmental compliance division. And Eco Turf’s roster of clients has some of the biggest contractors in the state, including Barnhill Contracting, KWI, Wellons Construction, Gaines and Company, Tennoca, Allegiance Contracting Group, Brinley’s Grading, Wynn Site, Fred Smith Company; and homebuilders like Lennar, Pulte, MI Homes, DR Horton, Taylor Morrison, as well as local developers and custom builders.

“We came out of the recession trying to control our growth while being cautious about purchasing new equipment,” says Ennis. “In 2014, we started seeing some really good numbers and some good profit. And then every year, growth continued to get better and better. We’ve added two additional project managers, an additional mechanic and six management level positions on the inspection side.”

While growth is good, too much can strain management. Ennis believes the company is sized right for the market.

“We are at a size that is healthy,” he says. “For us to go from where we are now to the next level would be a considerable amount of overhead and expense.” 

Hiring from within

Because of the technical nature of the inspections and work performed by Eco Turf, Ennis always promotes within if possible. “I think everybody deserves a fair chance to grow.”

Retaining employees also involves fostering an atmosphere of collaboration.

“You have to get to know and value your employees, their goals and ambitions,” he says. “If you let everybody give input and give them a chance to be successful, you create a family atmosphere, which creates longevity in your workforce.”

“I’m all about transparency and open doors,” he adds, “and I never want our employees to feel that they don’t have a say, or their opinion doesn’t matter at Eco Turf.”

Controlling erosion often starts with a silt fence, and Eco Turf installs miles of it every year.Equipment World

Customers agree

A customer of 20 years, Jeff White, CEO of Green Hawk, says: “They are the gold standard and the go-to guys in our market. Eco Turf and its employees are topnotch and a pleasure to work with on a regular basis. This is a great company.”

Another longtime customer, Sean Ryan, project manager and estimator for Barnhill Contracting, says: “They are one of the most well-rounded, adaptable and dependable subcontractors that we work with, and they do a tremendous amount of work for us. If they tell you they will do something, you can count on them to get it done in a timely manner.

“Eco Turf treats us with the utmost respect, and from the outside looking in, it seems that they treat their employees, vendors and all their other clients with the same respect.”

Recipe for success

Over the long-term, contractors need to know how to manage both failure and success, he says.

“You’re going to have successes and you’re going to have failures, and more failures out of the gate, than successes,” says Ennis. “But if you’re determined mentally and emotionally and have the will and determination to be successful, you’ll figure out a way to do it.”

A good example of this philosophy is to look at the careers of great athletes, he says. “There are highs and lows, and then there are careers. The key when there are lows is to not beat yourself up.”

“Examine why something failed, but get back up and try again,” he adds. “Hopefully your failures will happen early and not later when failure might be financially crippling. Then position yourself from a business standpoint to bounce back with a different approach for success.”

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These 11 attachments can add a new dimension to your excavators, enabling them to be more productive on demolition jobs, site work and a variety of other tasks.

These tools can separate rebar from concrete, enable buckets and other attachments to rotate and tilt, or boost your excavator’s lifting power, among other capabilities.

Demolition

Epiroc Bulk Pulverizers are designed for secondary demolition and reduction of reinforced concrete elements. (Photo shown at the top of this story.) Featuring an angled shape and broad jaw, the pulverizers help speed up work to enable clean separation of rebar and concrete. Epiroc’s range includes two bulk pulverizers for carriers from 18 to 40 tons. They can reduce material into grain sizes suitable for crushing or use as backfill. The pulverizers’ cutting blades are replaceable and reversible. A 360-degree hydraulic rotation device is optional.

NPK Concrete CrusherNPKFor excavators in the 21- to 50-ton range, NPK Concrete Crushers are designed to crush through reinforced concrete to separate concrete and steel rebar. They are designed for primary and secondary demolition and recycling. Features include abrasion-resistant, high-strength, alloy steel teeth, optional 360-degree hydraulic rotation, NPK’s Hydraulic Intensifier System for faster cycle times, and a bolt-on replaceable tooth plate on the movable jaw. The “A” model also uses a bolt-on tooth plate on the fixed jaw.

Komatsu JMHB-V breakerKomatsuKomatsu’s new JMHB-V breakers are designed for rock and concrete demolition. The hydraulic breakers modulate their impact force and frequency with up to 16 working positions to match the task. They are also fitted with a recovery valve that recuperates energy to drive efficiency. Depending on the application’s hardness, V-series breakers automatically select the best piston stroke length and speed, the company says. Standard features include automatic greasing, advanced blank firing protection, swivel hose couplings and heavy-duty housing.

RJB Hydraulic Hammers’ HK45 breaker with combo bracketRJB Hydraulic HammersRJB Hydraulic Hammers has designed a combination mini-excavator/skid steer bracket for its HK45 Hydraulic Hammer for carrier machines of 3.5 to 6 metric tons. The company says it produced the bracket in response to feedback from rental yards where the HK45 is the company’s most popular hammer for short-term rentals. The HK45 is a 1,000-foot-pound impact class hydraulic hammer. It can handle larger concrete jobs. It comes with a tool diameter of almost 3 inches. 

Tiltrotators

Caterpillar TiltrotatorCaterpillarCaterpillar says its Tilt Rotate Systems are an industry-first with fully integrated technology for its Next Generation 306 CR, 307.5, 308, 308.5, 309 or 310 compact excavators. The tiltrotators can tilt left and right 40 degrees and rotate 360 degrees, allowing work at various angles without the need to reposition the machine. The devices help improve productivity. Models come with pin-on or S-type coupler top interfaces and S-type coupler bottom interfaces. An optional grapple module allows the operator to move materials out of the way.

Takeuchi TiltrotatorTakeuchiTakeuchi’s new tiltrotator line consists of the DF4, DF10 and the Prop Plus models. The Prop Plus can run both tilt and rotate functions as well as a hydraulic coupler and multiple auxiliary functions using only the excavator’s primary circuit without a separate control box. It comes with two joysticks and a monitor. It can work with a grading system. The DF4 runs tilt and rotate functions with two hydraulic circuits and a control box in the cab. The DF10 can run the same functions as the DF4 without a control box but requires a separate hydraulic circuit for each function. 

Buckets and such

Werk-Brau Skeleton Rock BucketWerk-BrauWerk-Brau’s new Skeleton Rock Buckets are designed to separate large rock and other debris from smaller loose materials. They are available in various widths and sizes for excavators or loaders. They are manufactured with high-strength T-1 steel in all critical wear points, with abrasion-resistant wear straps to reinforce the bucket bottom. Tapered side plates reduce wear on the bucket and allow for easier dumping. The buckets are ideal for quarry work and anywhere that larger materials are sorted from smaller loose materials.

Yanmar Stowable Utility HookYanmarYanmar’s Stowable Utility Hook provides a factory-designed lifting point for the company’s compact excavators, from ViO25 up to the SV100, without the need to use an attachment. It reduces the risk of damage to the machine, buckets or other attachments resulting from attempts to lift heavy objects with a strap or chain connected to areas not intended to be lifting points, the company says. The hook features a multi-directional design that allows it to swing in each direction and swivel 360 degrees. The swivel hook stows out of the way with a lock pin.

Bedrock Attachments’ Long ReachBedrock AttachmentsBedrock Attachments says it has a warehouse full of long reach booms and sticks for excavators. The long reaches range from 18 to 22.86 meters long for various Caterpillar, John Deere and Hitachi  models. Bedrock uses computerized analysis for the stress distribution of the long reach and to optimize the design. It uses large milling equipment to improve welding. The hydraulic-oil pipes are made of cold-rolled precision steel and are finished by phosphoric acid washing to make the pipes smoother for reduced flow resistance and oil circuit pollution.  

Danuser EP Auger System with Stump AugerDanuserDanuser’s EP Auger System for excavators features a planetary gear drive with greater torque for drilling through hard surfaces. The system is compatible with Danuser’s new Stump Auger, which planes away stumps. A threaded pilot digs into the stump, and large cutting blades shave the stump away. The blades are reversible. EP Auger System models range from 6 to 35 gallons per minute of hydraulic flow and from 1,500 to 3,500 pounds per square inch of pressure. The stump auger is available in 10- and 16-inch diameters.

TVH Americas bucket cutting edgeTVH AmericasTVH Americas offers a selection of reversible, double-bevel, bolt-on cutting edges to help extend the life of buckets for light construction equipment. The edges are made of high-quality steel and come in an assortment of widths and lengths. The bolt-on cutting edges can be rotated or replaced in less than an hour with basic hand tools. A double-sided, or reversal, blade can be rotated to give users essentially two blades in one. The blade also lifts the bottom up off the ground slightly, reducing the amount of drag and wear on the bucket.

 

The power tool and fastening manufacturer Hilti Group has acquired Fieldwire, a construction technology company, for approximately $300 million.

Fieldwire’s jobsite management software is used on more than a million construction sites worldwide. The company’s products enable general contractors and subcontractors to run efficient field operations on their jobsites, saving on average one hour per day for each individual user. 

Founded in 2013, Fieldwire is known for its device-agnostic, field-first approach to productivity. The software gives contractors and tradespeople access to plan viewing, as-built drawings, task management, scheduling, punch lists, inspections, reports and forms.

SMS Parts joins Open-S Alliance for tiltrotators and quick couplers

SMP Parts, a manufacturer of tiltrotators and quick couplers, has joined the Open-S Alliance as a full member. The Open-S Alliance sets standards for the physical attachment points and hydraulic interface used on tiltrotators and quick couplers for excavators. Companies that participate in this industry-wide standard enable their customers to use their couplers and tiltrotators with any participating OEM regardless of brand.

“Standardization is an important part of improving both the user experience and the enhanced safety of our customers,” says Patrik Lindqvist, CEO and president of SMP Parts.

“By becoming members of the Open-S Alliance we take our responsibility in creating one global standard, whereby the safety of products must never be compromised.”

Open-S offers OEMs memberships in three levels – full member, associate member or supporting member – depending on whether Open-S products are developed, produced in-house or sourced.

Trimble Q3 financial results up 14%

Whatever trouble the economy might be having this year, it hasn’t hurt Trimble. The company’s third-quarter results posted November 3 showed revenue of $901.4 million, up 14% year-over-year for the quarter. Revenue (annualized recurring) was $1.36 billion, up 8 percent year-over-year.

For 2021, Trimble now expects to report GAAP revenue of about $3.6 billion. Compared to last year, net income is up 42 percent. The stock was trading at about $61 a share this time last year and is up to $87 currently. Net profit margin is 13.76 percent, up almost 29 percent from last year.

Since ConExpo-Con/Agg, Trimble has been busy on developing technology for contractors. Here are some of its recent innovations:

Spot the Robot Dog Fetches Your Data and Brings Back As-BuiltsNo Base Station? No Problem. Trimble SPS986 and CenterPoint RTX corrections give you a go-anywhere GPS roverAutomatically Set Screed Slope and Depth With Trimble’s New Roadworks 3D Paving ControlTrimble debuts mast-free motor grader system, new Earthworks platform and more at CONEXPO-CON/AGG

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In these days of parts scarcity and increased project demands, Cat has two service offers that might catch your attention.

Within Cat’s Customer Value Agreements (CVA) is a new feature Cat is calling a “Services Commitment Program.” Introduced in July in the U.S. (Canadian customers will see it in January), the program has two components: a parts availability commitment and service response time commitment. These are available on machines less than 10 years old that are covered by a new or renewed CVA.

Parts availability: Cat guarantees maintenance and common repair parts will be available to CVA customers when they need them. If a maintenance part is not available by the end of the next business day or Cat can’t get it to you Cat will credit you up to $1,000 for the amount of the unavailable parts. For common repair parts on dealer-performed service, the $1,000 credit applies at the end of the second business day.

Service response time: This ensures that you will have priority appointment scheduling, getting the next available slot in the dealer’s shop. Diagnostics are run before the machine comes in or the technician arrives, and the customer receives progress updates as their machine is serviced. 

“Customers continue to choose CVAs in record numbers,” says Marcy Bytner, Cat marketing consultant. “In fact, 60% of our construction industry machines are sold with CVA, and 45% of those customers choose to renew.”

Self-service options

CaterpillarManaging most of your own repairs? Cat’s new Self-Service Options (SSO) offering is aimed at you.

“Typically a customer has to do all the research on a repair and sometimes guess as to what parts are needed,” says Mike Hernandez, Cat program manager. “SSOs take out the guesswork and make the repair process easier and more convenient.”

Working at your direction on what repair you want to make, Cat will put together an SSO package that includes the parts, instructions and recommended tooling to complete the specific work on more than 300 models. Repairs covered include minor engine bolt-ons, service brakes for drivetrains, replacing batteries and alternators, hydraulics and implement controls. The service instructions are available in 10 different languages.

“This is not a traditional kit, which is typically a fixed quantity of parts in box sitting on the shelf,” Hernandez says. Instead, each SSO can be customized to include only the parts and tooling you need to complete the repair by yourself. Customers can then complete the repair in-house and on their own schedule.

SSOs can be ordered online at Cat’s parts store or by contacting your local Cat dealer. The dealer fills the order, and if questions arise during the repair, your service tech can receive additional support from the dealer. “Customers are not alone in the repair journey,” Hernandez says.

Cat is concentrating on its small and compact equipment first with this program. Machines include compact track loaders, skid steers, compact wheel loaders, backhoes, compact excavators, small wheel loaders and dozers and telehandlers. As new machines are introduced, new Cat SSO packages will be developed. 

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West Fargo, North Dakota-based Titan Machinery has reported $454 million in total revenue for the third quarter of 2021, a 25 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

“The combination of our larger base of revenues, healthy inventory position, and lean infrastructure has allowed for powerful operating leverage that drove a 109% increase in pre-tax income for the quarter,” says David Meyer, chairman and chief executive officer, Titan Machinery.  “Our Construction and International segments are also generating strong gains in profitability, each producing another solid quarter and building upon the improvements made fiscal year-to-date. We are excited about finishing the fiscal year on a strong note after a successful harvest and construction season and will continue to work toward delivering the unmatched customer service that Titan Machinery is known for.”

Gross profit for the third quarter reached $92.5 million, compared to $72.6 million in the third quarter last year for the agricultural and construction equipment dealer. Higher variable expenses on increased revenues drove up operating expenses by $8.8 million to $62.9 million, compared to $54.1 million in the third quarter last year.

Revenues for the company’s construction segment were essentially flat. Same-store sales increased 11.1% due to increased equipment demand but was offset by the lost contributions from the company’s Arizona stores following the January 2021 divestiture. Revenue for the third quarter of fiscal 2022 was $79.7 million, compared to $79.0 million in the third quarter last year.

The company is continuing to pursue acquisitions to grow its footprint and effectively service customers amid ongoing supply chain challenges. “While supply chains remain challenged, we are getting factory shipments, as well as leveraging our parts and equipment inventories collaboratively across our network of stores,” says Meyer. “This has allowed us to take care of our customers during the critical harvest and pre-winter construction season – which enabled us to continue to deliver strong top line growth. Looking to the fourth quarter, we remain confident that we will be able to sustain our increased sales momentum and profitability, which we believe will allow us to deliver a record year of earnings per share.”

Based on fiscal modeling assumptions, Titan expects the construction segment to be up 2- to 7-percent for the 2022 fiscal year.

Titan Machinery carries CNH Industrial brands, including Case Construction and New Holland Construction, and has locations in Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming.