Williams Machinery - Bobcat WorkSaver® Summer 2020

Summer 2020 • Bobcat.com

COMPACT EQUIPMENT HELPS INSTALL POOLS IN URBAN BACKYARDS GUS POOLS PAGE 15

FIND THE RIGHT COMPACT TRACTOR FOR YOUR PROPERTY

PAGE 7

B O B C A T. C O M / W E N T Z

“When I think of Bobcat equipment, I think of reliable, hard-working machines and getting the tough jobs done.”

Carson Wentz

Elevate your home game with the only tractor tough enough for Carson Wentz.

Bobcat ®, the Bobcat logo and the colors of the Bobcat machine are registered trademarks of Bobcat Company in the United States and various other countries. ©2020 Bobcat Company. All rights reserved. | 65489

C O N T E N TS

BOBCAT WEB GUIDE VISIT BOBCAT.COM Request a demo or quote Sign up for emails Get product brochures Find a local dealer Order training tools Do product research

4 READY FOR WHAT’S NEXT

20 CORE COMPETENCY

The latest machines and technologies to help you accomplish more

Contractor chooses specialization over general contracting and sees business growth

7 BUILT FOR YOUR WORK Seven things to consider when selecting a compact tractor to match your work style

11 STILL ON THE RUN Georgia contractors share canny business moves for thriving in changing markets

15 MAKING A SPLASH

FOLLOW US

22 KEEP ON CLIMBING Landscaper leaves behind a successful corporate career to follow his passion

25 WADING THROUGH THE WATERS New York concrete company helps restore hurricane-wrecked homes

An E32 and T450 help this pool installation company navigate NYC’s tight jobsites

NOW IS A GREAT TIME FOR TRAINING. We’re offering a 50% discount on our online safety training courses. Enter TOUGHERTOGETHER at checkout to unlock savings and boost your operator know-how: MyWorkSaver.com/TrainingOffer

READ MORE CUSTOMER STORIES ON OUR BLOG: Blog.Bobcat.com

Spring 2020

• Bobcat.com

SUMMER 2020 • VOL. 44, NO. 3 WorkSaver magazine is distributed by your local Bobcat dealer as a complimentary publication throughout the United States and Canada. It is published four times per year by Bobcat Company, 250 East Beaton Drive, West Fargo, ND 58078. Produced for Bobcat Company

by Two Rivers Marketing. ®

Bobcat , the Bobcat logo and the colors of the Bobcat machine are registered trademarks of Bobcat Company in the United States and various other countries. ©2020 Bobcat Company. All rights reserved. ®

Editorial correspondence should be directed to: WorkSaver Magazine, 106 E. 6th St., Des Moines, IA 50309-1951 | Email: WorkSaver@bobcat.com Certain specification(s) are based on engineering calculations and are not actual measurements. Specification(s) are provided for comparison purposes only and are subject to change without notice. Specification(s) for your individual Bobcat equipment will vary based on normal variations in design, manufacturing, operating conditions and other factors.

WORKSAVER SUMMER 2020 3

CO NT RA CT OR GR OW S FAM

BY INV EST ING IN GR AD ING ILY BU SIN ESS KOOPMANS CONCRETE TEC HN OLO GY PAGE 9

TO SUBSCRIBE OR UPDATE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION,

go to MyWorkSaver.com/ subscription

PRODUCTS

TOGETHER ,

WE’LL BE READY FOR WHAT’S NEXT. Through the uncertainties of the past few months, we’ve remained dedicated to our customers. We’ve focused on bringing the resources, information and equipment you need to do important work in your communities or stay productive working at home.

These challenging times have also inspired us to continue our commitment to lead the industry into the future. Together, we know we can overcome the toughest challenges. Bobcat is keeping our promise to bring you the industry-changing products, technologies and services that will help keep you moving forward.

A lot changed this year. But our passion for innovation – and giving you the tools to accomplish more – remains as strong as ever.

NEW BOBCAT EQUIPMENT TO HELP YOU MOVE AHEAD R-SERIES LOADERS T64 COMPACT TRACK LOADER S64 SKID-STEER LOADER 68-hp, vertical lift path

T66 COMPACT TRACK LOADER S66 SKID-STEER LOADER 74-hp, vertical lift path Four new vertical lift path models join the revolutionary R-Series loader lineup, offering optimized performance and lifting capabilities.

WORKSAVER SUMMER 2020 4

P R O D U C TS

MINI TRACK LOADER MT100 The latest addition to our popular mini track loader lineup offers a rated operating capacity of 1,000 pounds to handle even more. The ride-on platform provides a wider view to the sides of the machine and the bucket cutting edge or attachment.

GAS UTILITY VEHICLES UV34/GAS AND UV34XL/GAS Get gas-engine convenience plus hard-working performance at home or on the jobsite. These two new models offer an impressive 2,500-pound hauling capacity, rear independent suspension with increased ground clearance, and a rugged design to protect the frame and driveline.

VersaHANDLER TELESCOPIC TOOL CARRIER ÂŽ

V923 The new V923 delivers increased lifting capacity, excels at moving, lifting and dumping and includes a heavy-duty drive train to handle tough jobs.

R2-SERIES COMPACT EXCAVATOR E60 Enhanced performance features help you do work faster.

Versatility maximizes your control. And added comfort increases productivity on long work days. The new E60 includes a new instrumentation system, redesigned engine and easy access to service areas.

LARGE EXCAVATOR E165 The new 131-hp E165 large excavator is sized to move from jobsite to jobsite, delivering quick cycle times, powerful hydraulic arm and bucket forces, and a spacious cab for maximum productivity.

To learn more, visit Bobcat.com

WORKSAVER SUMMER 2020 5

PRODUCTS

A BRIGHTER FUTURE: ELECTRIC MACHINES BOOST UPTIME NEW ELECTRIC PROTOT YPE MACHINES AND CONCEP T MACHINES ARE THE NE X T WAY BOBCAT IS CHANGING THE INDUSTRY. We’re always thinking about the next thing our customers are going to want,” says Britta Kopp, marketing manager of innovation at Bobcat.

“Being environmentally conscious and seeing industries that are highly regulated with emissions, we know there’s a need for electric machines in the industry. We started the concept with our smaller machines for indoor demolition – areas and applications that are really regulated.

But it expanded beyond the indoor applications to outdoor applications, such as airports, utility companies and other green companies that are more conscious of their carbon footprint. They are really looking for electric as a solution and an option.

BOBCAT IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON T WO ELECTRIC SOLUTIONS TO BE OFFERED IN THE FUTURE. ELECTRIC PROTOTYPE MACHINES E17e ELECTRIC PROTOTYPE EXCAVATOR S70e ELECTRIC PROTOTYPE LOADER

The prototype machines are smaller in size to easily fit through doorways to tackle indoor demolition projects.

With these new solutions – featuring a battery electric powertrain along with traditional hydraulics – Bobcat is proving that electric equipment can deliver the performance, uptime and versatility that operators need, while also providing the comfort and ease of use that they demand.

FULLY ELECTRIC CONCEPT MACHINE T76e ALL-ELECTRIC CONCEPT LOADER

While Bobcat is not the first to offer an electric solution, we are the first to develop an all-electric machine.

One of the major innovations in this machine is that electrical motors and components – rather than a hydraulic system – will provide the horsepower and performance. The introduction of electronic attachments will bring new capabilities for positioning, power utilization and control.

In the not-too-distant future, electrically powered compact equipment may be the machine of choice across the industry – and Bobcat will lead the way.

Watch for future updates on these exciting new Bobcat equipment solutions. ®

A FULL DAY’S WORK

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Battery life is the first question whenever electrification comes up. Cutting-edge, durable lithium-ion battery technology can, in most applications, go an entire workday before charging is necessary.

P R O D U CTS

BUILT for Your work

»

LIVING ON A FARM OR ACREAGE GIVES YOU THE SPACE TO BRING YOUR PROPERTY DREAMS TO LIFE. BUT CARING FOR THE LAND TAKES TIME AND HARD WORK.

The right equipment can simplify chores and projects and make them more enjoyable. A compact tractor offers the strength and agility it takes to work in barns, livestock pens, fields, gardens and everywhere else your work takes you. With 15 models offered – and a range of options available for each – you can choose a Bobcat tractor with the right size, horsepower and performance to match the way you work. ®

Find the perfect tractor for your slice of heaven with these Seven considerations. continued on page 8

WORKSAVER SUMMER 2020 7

1

SIZE

When deciding on a compact tractor size, consider the work you’ll be doing as well as your property’s size and layout. Smaller models are more maneuverable, making them a great fit for working in tight spaces or close to buildings. Larger models offer more horsepower for power-demanding attachments and implements or lifting heavy loads.

2

21–24 HP

25–40 HP

IDEAL FOR: mowing around obstacles

IDEAL FOR: mowing

45–58 HP IDEAL FOR: mowing overgrown fields

moving mulch and dirt

tilling gardens

grading roads

digging small holes

grading driveways

clearing snow

»

TRANSMISSION

WORK ADVANTAGES

Manual and hydrostatic transmission options are available, so you can select the type that best fits your work.

A hydrostatic transmission is easy to operate and a good choice if most of your work will be done with a front-end loader or if this is your first tractor. Choose a manual transmission for PTO-demanding work. Manual tractors deliver better power take-off (PTO) efficiency and work well in large, open areas.

Manual-Shift 9x3 Transmission

Manual 8x8 Synchro Shuttle Transmission

CT2025, CT2035, CT2040

CT4045, CT4050, CT4055

Hydrostatic Transmission

Electronic Hydrostatic Transmission

Delivers efficient power for PTO-demanding work Offers shift-on-the-go functionality as you travel Lets you change directions quickly and easily Supplies superior hydraulic performance for front-end loader work Includes a cruise control option Prevents engine stall during high-load operation AVAILABLE ON:

WORKSAVER SUMMER 2020 8

CT1021, CT1025, CT2025, CT2035, CT2040, CT2535, CT2540, CT4045, CT4050, CT4058

CT5545, CT5550, CT5555, CT5558

3

A

I J

COMFORT

K L

Deluxe comfort features are available on select compact tractor models so you can work longer days and accomplish more on your land all year long. An enclosed cab keeps you comfortable no matter the weather.

If your work requires getting on and off the tractor often, an open station is a good choice. We designed ours so you can enter and exit from both sides of the machine. Adding more options to your tractor, such as extra lights, cruise control and a suspension seat increases comfort even more.

B C

E

D

G

F

4

A

LOW NOISE AND VIBRATION

G

ERGONOMIC CONTROLS

B

TILT STEERING

H

ADJUSTABLE SEAT

C

CRUISE CONTROL

I

REARVIEW MIRROR KIT

D

RUBBER DECK MAT

J

PANORAMIC VISIBILITY

E

LINKED PEDAL LEVER OPTION

K

HEAT AND AIR CONDITIONING

F

RETRACTABLE SEAT BELT

L

ENCLOSED CAB

KEY

H

Standard on all

Optional on all

Standard on select

Optional on select

Standard with cab

AGRICULTURAL Deep lug design perfect for working in soft, muddy conditions

TIRES

Choosing the correct tire for your work improves the performance, ride quality and reliability of your compact tractor. When selecting a tire type, consider the primary tasks you’ll be doing as well as the ground conditions and terrain of your property. Agricultural, turf and industrial tires are available for all Bobcat compact tractor models.

Excellent traction and self-cleaning capabilities Delivers more power to the ground for towing heavy loads and pulling implements

TURF

INDUSTRIAL

Less aggressive treads that minimize disturbance to established landscaping and lawns

Wider treads and deeper lugs to provide superior protection against punctures and wear Excellent traction in all ground conditions

®

WORKSAVER SUMMER 2020 9

PRODUCTS

5

6

PTO

When you bring home a tractor, you’ll want to spend the majority of your time working with it, not working on it. Maintenance points on Bobcat compact tractors are easy to find and reach. The one-piece hood is easy to lift thanks to the air cylinder assist. You can access all daily checks, as well as the engine fluid fills and filters, from one side of the engine, on most models, without removing any panels.

A tractor’s power take-off (PTO) is the power source for all powered implements such as mowers, tillers and snowblowers. A rear PTO is standard on all Bobcat tractors, and some models also have a standard or optional mid PTO for use with a mid-mount mower or front-mounted attachment. When evaluating a tractor’s horsepower, make sure it’s higher than the horsepower required by any implements and attachments you’ll want to pair with it.

REAR PTO Standard on all models

LIVE PTO Requires stopping the tractor to engage or disengage the PTO Great for mowing in tight areas

»

Maintenance

MID PTO

7

Standard on CT1021 and CT1025; optional on all models except for CT4045, CT4050 and CT4055.

Implements and attachments

INDEPENDENT PTO Turn the PTO on or off using a switch without stopping the tractor or using a clutch

Implements and attachments allow you to get the most value and versatility out of your compact tractor. With a standard 3-point hitch as well as more than a dozen implements to choose from, you can easily transform your tractor into a do-it-all machine that can install a fence, feed livestock, mow overgrown

Ideal for work that requires frequent starting and stopping of an implement such as an auger

TRACTOR TALK Visit MyWorkSaver.com/TractorTalk to watch our Tractor Talk video series and get a guided tour of our powerful, easy-to-use compact tractor line from Senior Product Manager James Crouch.

WORKSAVER SUMMER 2020 10

grass or grade your driveway. Consider starting out with a front-end loader, mid-mount mower and backhoe, then add to your collection as your work expands.

C O N S T R UC TI O N

STILL ON THE RUN GEORGIA CONTRACTORS SHARE THE BUSINESS MOVES THAT HELPED THEM BUILD A SUCCESSFUL COMPANY AND SURVIVE TWO RECESSIONS

Temperatures are scorching at a Lewallen Construction jobsite, where workers are welding an 800-foot-long bridge over the north fork of Peachtree Creek and operators are grading for a parking lot with a Bobcat T650 compact track loader. The sun is so hot the creek looks refreshing. Its bank is lined with trees and far enough removed from busy Buford Highway that you can almost ignore the sounds of traffic. ®

This bridge is a part of the new Peachtree Creek Greenway trail, and the parking lot is part of a new trailhead. The trail will connect the city of Brookhaven, Georgia, and its residents to hundreds of miles of trails in the Atlanta metro. It’ll be a place where Brookhavenites can escape the commotion of urban life and traffic to bike, jog, walk and generally relax. continued on page 12

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CONSTRUCTION

BUSINESS: Lewallen Construction OWNERS: Larry and Peggy Lewallen IN BUSINESS SINCE: 1984 LOCATION: Marietta, Georgia BOBCAT MACHINES: M2-Series S650 (two) skid-steer loaders; M-Series T650 (eight), T750 and T770 (five) compact track loaders BOBCAT ATTACHMENTS: Buckets BOBCAT DEALER: Bobcat of Atlanta

Lewallen Construction has built approximately 350 miles of recreational trails like these in the Atlanta area.

Almost every mile was graded by operators in Bobcat compact loaders. ®

“Bobcat loaders are ideal for grading trails,” says Bob Uhlenhoff, general manager of Lewallen Construction.

“Especially the track loaders, because they don’t get stuck. The loaders are the bread and butter for our company.”

Larry and Peggy Lewallen, the owners and namesakes of Lewallen Construction,

pivoted to building trails and other municipal work in the early 1990s – one of many pivots that has led them to the successful 125-employee business they run today. Lewallen Construction pours an average of 500,000 square feet of concrete walls and 40,000 cubic yards of concrete each year.

Maybe “pivots” is too calculated a word.

Maybe it’s just that Larry and Peggy have an uncanny ability to stay ahead of economic disasters.

“We feel like we’re on a set of railroad tracks, the train is coming down the tracks, and we’re still on the run,” Larry says.

PIVOT #1: WATERPARKS TO HOUSING Larry Lewallen previously lived in Branson, Missouri, and owned a small concrete construction business. He was hired to build a water park in Branson, and ended up joining the company fulltime to build water parks in Oklahoma, Texas and eventually Georgia.

WORKSAVER SUMMER 2020 12

In 1984, after finishing construction of what today is called Six Flags White Water in Cobb County, near Atlanta, Larry and Peggy decided to form their own residential construction company.

They could see the tremendous growth happening in the Atlanta suburbs, so they started Lewallen Construction and went into business laying foundations and walls for new houses.

“We had an El Camino and a van, and we bought a trailer,” Peggy says. “We also had concrete wall forms in storage back in Branson.”

They sold property Larry still owned in Missouri and used the proceeds from the sale to buy a Bobcat 843 skid-steer loader from Bobcat of Atlanta.

Larry says residential construction customers were easy to come by around Atlanta in the 1980s. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of the Atlanta metropolitan area grew nearly 32% from 1980 to 1990. The area was in a boom.

In addition to laying foundations, Larry and Peggy branched out into municipal work, like hardscaping for streetscapes and building retaining walls and sidewalks.

“An advantage of working with a municipality is you know you’re going to get paid,” Peggy says.

“Some municipalities pay higher than others, but in the end, you are not going to have to fight for the money.”

PIVOT #2: HOUSING TO MUNICIPAL WORK Diversifying their business to serve municipalities helped insulate Lewallen Construction from a recession in the early 1990s. When residential work dried up, Peggy and Larry shifted their company’s focus to a greater mix of municipal work.

“We had a meeting with our employees, and we told them, ‘Now look, you’re not going to do what you used to do. But if you’ll do what I ask you to do, when I ask you, we’ll all have a job at the end,’” Larry says. “And it was rough. But we saved all of our good people, and we came out OK at the end because our employees did whatever we asked them to do.”

Lewallen Construction developed a specialty in municipal work, and demand for their services grew. The company went from serving as a subcontractor on municipal jobs to being the general contractor. Then, in 1995, a nonprofit group hired Lewallen Construction to build a few miles of a paved, multi-use trail on an abandoned trolley line. Peggy and Larry bought a paving machine for the job – and more Bobcat skid-steer loaders.

Construction put in the lowest bid and won the job.

“Everybody said, ‘How can they afford to do it for that?’” Larry says. “We had jumped in at full speed and gotten ahead of everybody and set up right off the bat with the right equipment.

We were ready to go.”

Winning that first project gave Lewallen Construction a competitive advantage for future trail work: experience. More trail projects arrived, and with each win their company’s advantage grew.

“Our people have done enough trail construction that they know how to get it done quickly and create a good product,” Peggy says. “And they’ve learned ways to save money.”

Knowing how and where to cut costs is crucial in winning municipal work, which regularly goes to the lowest bid.

Lewallen Construction’s team of four estimators know from experience how low they can bid while still making a profit for the company.

“If somebody does beat us on a bid, they usually don’t beat us again,” Peggy says. “Because they say, ‘We can’t make any money at this.’”

Continuously investing in their equipment is one way Lewallen Construction keeps their bids low.

“Larry is always looking through magazines, talking to people and thinking, ‘What can we do to make a job faster, quicker, better?’” Peggy says.

“He’s always looking for equipment to decrease labor costs.”

That constant search led Larry to a breakthrough that saved Lewallen Construction during another economic downturn – the Great Recession.

PIVOT #3: INVESTING DURING A RECESSION Concrete wall construction was always the Lewallens’ specialty, and this skill helped them win municipal jobs requiring large retaining walls.

Then, Cobb County and the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) continued on page 14

TO BE EFFICIENT, EVERY CREW NEEDS A BOBCAT LOADER. – PEGGY LEWALLEN

“When you’re working on a mile-anda-half linear project like a trail, there can be crews simultaneously working on numerous places,” Peggy says, “So to be efficient, every crew needs a Bobcat loader.”

That initial equipment investment was a smart one, because three years later the same nonprofit put out a bid opening for a 46-mile trail. Lewallen

WORKSAVER SUMMER 2020 13

CONSTRUCTION

FINDING A DEALER PARTNER Larry Lewallen, owner of Lewallen Construction, bought a Bobcat 843 skid-steer loader from Bobcat of Atlanta in the early 1980s – now he owns 16 Bobcat loaders. His loader operators grade for recreational trail beds and dig footings for concrete forms. ®

Larry says he keeps buying from Bobcat of Atlanta in part because of the service he gets from his sales specialist, Bobcat of Atlanta Territory Manager Josh Shook.

“Josh is an exceptional salesman,” Larry says. “If I’ve got a problem, all I’ve got to do is call Josh and I’ve got an answer within a couple of hours.”

passed new design regulations mandating ashlar finishes for all retaining walls. An ashlar finish gives a plain concrete wall the look of individual, squared stone blocks.

This new regulation made building the walls much more time-consuming – and therefore expensive. Everyone in the area was using a plastic liner to create the finish, but Larry knew there had to be a way to pour the concrete wall with just a form.

“I woke up at about two o’clock in the morning thinking about it,” Larry says “So the next morning I called a friend in Iowa who knew a lot about the industry, and he told me about someone in Kansas who had just developed forms for ashlar-finish walls. I called the manufacturer and told him we’d be there tomorrow.”

This was in the middle of the Great Recession, and the manufacturer had not sold a single form yet. But the Lewallens spent $250,000 on forms

right away. It was not an easy decision, but one they knew they had to make.

“We got back to the hotel and I told Peggy, ‘We’re going broke and we’re spending money like water,’” Larry says.

“But it was a good thing. The forms saved us.”

The forms enabled Lewallen Construction to build the newly mandated ashlar-finished walls with much less time and labor. Those lower expenses meant they could outbid the competition. They also signed a contract with the form manufacturer to ensure they would be the only contractor in Georgia who could buy the forms.

This competitive advantage helped Peggy and Larry win enough municipal work to weather the recession. When the economy improved and cities resumed spending on construction projects, Lewallen Construction grew.

2018 was their biggest year, and trail construction doesn’t show signs

WORKSAVER SUMMER 2020 14

of stopping. The Peachtree Creek Greenway trail is the most complex project they’ve ever done, with a lot of walls – giving Lewallen an advantage – and several bridges.

“What’s cool about building trails is you end up with something you can use; it’s a project you have pride in,” Peggy says.

“You see people enjoying the trails, folks pushing elderly people in wheelchairs and little kids on bikes.

That’s really rewarding.”

Want to see the creation of Lewallen Construction’s most complex trail project ever? Go to MyWorkSaver.com/Lewallen to learn about the challenges of building the Peachtree Creek Greenway trail, including an 800-foot bridge across Peachtree Creek.

C O N S T R UC TI O N

MAKING A SPLASH POOL INSTALLER RELIES ON COMPACT EQUIPMENT FOR TIGHT NYC JOBSITES A 60-degree November day on Long Island? It was pool weather for Pete Panteliodis.

“We worked straight through the winter,” says Pete, co-owner of Gus Pools, a swimming pool construction business. “Usually, we stop around the second week of December. Last year, we shut down just for the holidays.”

With personal attention to quality, design and customer service, Gus Pools offers a range of pool-related services for both residential and commercial customers, including pool design, installation, renovation and repairs as well as seasonal opening and winterizing services.

“I like this industry because I’m going into a backyard that’s not pretty, and when I’m done, it’s like a resort, you know? It gives me a lot of self-satisfaction,” Pete says.

After working as a swimming pool installer for other companies, Pete’s father, Gus, launched Gus Pools in 1972 out of his home. The company is now one of the premier pool construction companies in the New York City metro and builds approximately 40 pools each year. Pete, along with his brother, Pat, took over the business from their father about 10 years ago.

continued on page 16

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CONSTRUCTION

BUSINESS: Gus Pools OWNERS: Pete (above) and Pat Panteliodis IN BUSINESS SINCE: 1972 LOCATION: Whitestone, New York BOBCAT MACHINES: R-Series E32 compact excavator, M-Series T450 compact track loader, S250 and 463 skid-steer loaders BOBCAT ATTACHMENTS: Buckets BOBCAT DEALER: Bobcat of Long Island

“It meant a lot to take over the company,” Pete says. “It was definitely big shoes to fill. My father is known throughout the Tri-State area. It’s a big thing to step up and try to meet the expectations everybody has.”

“The E32 is probably one of the best machines that we’ve gotten,” Pete says.

“Definitely a lot of power. It’s compact, and we work in a lot of tight spaces.

The digging force is there; reliability is there.”

EQUIPMENT BUILT FOR NYC While the company’s ownership has transitioned, one thing that’s remained the same is their brand of equipment.

It’s all Bobcat.

In established borough neighborhoods that have been around for centuries, space is at a premium. Nimble, efficient equipment helps Gus Pools stick to timelines and maintain customer satisfaction.

“When my dad started the business in the ’70s, he was farming out the excavation work until he bought a Bobcat 750 skid-steer loader in the 1980s,” Pete says. “He did everything with that one machine.”

The business added a Bobcat compact excavator in the ’90s and has upgraded its equipment over the years, most recently to an R-Series E32 compact excavator and a T450 compact track loader in 2018. ®

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“New York City is a difficult area to work in,” Pete says. “Clientele can be demanding and sometimes impatient.

There’s a high demand in a little amount of time. Everybody wants things done yesterday, there are a lot of laws you have to follow, and it’s not like working in an open area where you’ve got a lot of space.”

When building a pool, Pete and Pat first meet with the customers to review

THE E32 IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE BEST MACHINES THAT WE’VE GOTTEN. DEFINITELY A LOT OF POWER. IT’S COMPACT, AND WE WORK IN A LOT OF TIGHT SPACES. THE DIGGING FORCE IS THERE; RELIABILITY IS THERE. – PETE PANTELIODIS

the design and make sure they are comfortable moving forward with the project. The crew then brings in the E32 to excavate the jobsite and pile dirt, which the T450 moves out of the backyard and loads into dump trucks for removal. Once they’ve installed the pool structure, walls and plumbing, the crew backfills with either the E32 or T450, depending on the size of the jobsite.

A vinyl steel wall pool takes Gus Pools about a week to complete, whereas a concrete pool is a month-long job due to more time-intensive installation requirements.

“Even the smaller Bobcat machines – they’re still powerful,” Pete says. “They do what they’ve got to do. That’s why I use them. My biggest thing with the machines is reliability, and that’s what I find with them.”

QUALITY OVER PRICE A mechanic by trade, Pete evaluates equipment purchases on the quality of

WORKSAVER SUMMER 2020 17

design and ease of maintenance rather than the price.

“We work on our own equipment, and I’ve done my research,” Pete says.

“Bobcat equipment is easy to work on.

I used another brand’s skid-steer loader on a friend’s jobsite because it was there. I look at stuff from a parts and maintenance point of view, and that’s why I never bought that brand. It was a no-brainer. It later broke down, and he lost that machine for a month because parts were on backorder. It was nuts.”

The parts and service support he’s received from Bobcat of Long Island keeps Pete loyal to the Bobcat brand.

“My sales guy, Jimmy, is more than a sales guy,” Pete says. “If I need a part or to rent a machine, he does the right thing – not just in price but overall service. Everybody’s looking at the continued on page 18

CONSTRUCTION

EVEN THE SMALLER BOBCAT MACHINES, THEY’RE STILL POWERFUL. THEY DO WHAT THEY’VE GOT TO DO. THAT’S WHY I USE THEM. MY BIGGEST THING WITH THE MACHINES IS RELIABILITY, AND THAT’S WHAT I FIND WITH THEM. – PETE PANTELIODIS

almighty dollar, but that’s not everything.

When you buy a machine, you’re buying the dealership as well.”

ON THE JOB, EVERY DAY Not one to sit behind a desk, Pete makes a point of being on each and every jobsite to ensure that the job is going smoothly and that his crew has the right equipment at the location.

“Space is tight, and I can’t afford to knock a few bricks off a house,” Pete says. “That’s why we’re in tune with our machines and what works and what doesn’t. We’re not just pushing pencils and making sales – we’re on the site. On every job, the equipment makes my life easier. My foreman is in love with the E32. That’s his second wife, you know what I mean?”

Visit MyWorkSaver.com/GusPools to watch the E32 maneuver a tight backyard jobsite on Long Island.

OPTING FOR GENUINE PARTS Pete Panteliodis, co-owner of Gus Pools, is a firm believer in purchasing parts that were made by a machine’s manufacturer.

“I’m all about genuine parts,” Pete says. “I believe that the manufacturers spent millions of dollars in research and development, so they know something these aftermarket companies don’t know.

I race and work on my own motorcycles, and I see the difference in genuine parts versus aftermarket. I’d rather spend a few extra dollars than possibly cost myself thousands of dollars in damage.”

WORKSAVER SUMMER 2020 18

B O B C A T. C O M / W S P A R T S

There’s only one brand that’s made to protect the legendary performance of your Bobcat ® equipment.

For reliable productivity, choose genuine Bobcat parts, fluids and filters.

Bobcat®, the Bobcat logo and the colors of the Bobcat machine are registered trademarks of Bobcat Company in the United States and various other countries. ©2020 Bobcat Company. All rights reserved. | 1364

CONSTRUCTION

CORE COMPETENCY

GENERAL CONTRACTOR TRIPLES BUSINESS BY FOCUSING ON SMALLER, SPECIALTY MARKET When John Christiansen started doing general contracting work straight out of college in 1999, it didn’t take long for him to figure out what he liked and, more importantly, what he didn’t like about the business.

BUSINESS: The Caisson Company OWNER: John Christiansen IN BUSINESS SINCE: 2004 LOCATION: Colorado Springs, Colorado BOBCAT MACHINES: M2-Series S650 (two) and M-Series S650 (two) skid-steer loaders BOBCAT ATTACHMENTS: Multiple augers, buckets, pallet forks BOBCAT DEALER: Bobcat of the Rockies

“I didn’t like the large-volume jobs,” John says.

He began selecting jobs that involved pavement finishing and site work. By 2001, he was focusing on constructing light pole bases, bollards and sign piers – also known as caissons – for other contractors and discovered a niche market. He found that general and concrete contractors were focusing on bigger jobs, while electrical contractors

WORKSAVER SUMMER 2020 20

didn’t have the equipment to complete the type of work. The gap was an opportunity for his crew to offer a turnkey service.

“We started off doing 20 to 25 [caissons] a week,” he says. “That was on a good week.”

It didn’t take long for the business to expand. In 2004, John separated from the general contracting side of the business to concentrate solely on the niche market, changing the company name to The Caisson Company.

“We basically tripled our business at that point,” he says. “The Caisson Company does between 200 and 250 projects a year.

Each project could have one to 300 bases.”

SURVIVING BAD TIMES The decision to specialize in a core competency helps the company remain stable through economic ups and downs. In a strong economy, The Caisson Company takes on jobs that others pass up. In a down economy, it successfully competes for jobs and is able to keep costs low because of its expertise.

“Using a skid-steer loader to drill small caissons for light pole bases and bollards allows us to get into areas that a normal drill rig cannot access,” John says. “We can haul concrete into back areas where concrete trucks cannot get into. Our loaders are used every single day to drill holes and make things happen that people didn’t think was possible.”

“It takes a lot of little things to do a specialized, turnkey light pole or bollard installation with anchor bolts that have to be accurate, squared up and in the center of the base,” John says. “Where somebody else would have to rent equipment and fabricate cages, we have all the materials in stock and the equipment ready to roll.”

RELATIONSHIP RULES BUYING DECISIONS A long-term relationship with Bobcat of the Rockies also helps the company achieve consistency across their equipment. John has been working with sales specialist Daniel Hankins since purchasing his first piece of Bobcat equipment.

That equipment includes four Bobcat S650 skid-steer loaders, buckets, pallet forks and multiple Bobcat auger bits ranging in size from 6 to 36 inches in diameter. The skid-steer loaders are the backbone of the operation, providing the power and precision to drill footings for installations, transport and pour concrete, and perform dirt work.

“He sold me my first skid-steer loader in my kitchen,” John says.

®

That background and knowledge means Daniel understands The Caisson Company’s business, its equipment preferences like foot controls, the unique

challenges it faces, and the needs of the company and crew.

“He understands every aspect of our business and the reasons that we like our equipment a certain way, what size machine we need,” John says. “Having that relationship makes it easier for us to efficiently operate the business. We’re able to send an email or text and say, ‘Send me a new machine.’”

FORWARD THINKING Adding more Bobcat equipment to the fleet may be in the near future for The Caisson Company. Along with the hundreds of caisson projects already lined up for its crews and loaders, the company is also looking to expand services by offering trenching and light pole or signpost setting, developing yet another core competency.

Watch a behind-the-scenes video of The Caisson Company putting their core competency to work at MyWorkSaver.com/Caisson

John learned to operate Bobcat equipment working on construction crews before starting his business, so it was a natural choice later in his career.

“The Caisson Company crews don’t operate any other brand than Bobcat skid-steer loaders,” John says.

That’s not to say the company hasn’t demo’d other brands, but they say nothing has ever compared with the reliability and consistency delivered by Bobcat equipment.

CONSISTENCY IS KING With four crews working on different projects at any given time, consistency is key. Having similar machine controls and settings in each Bobcat loader is important for productivity and safety.

If an operator is in a different loader from day to day, the operation is still the same. With consistency across the equipment fleet, operators also know what they can expect for performance from each machine.

OUR LOADERS ARE USED EVERY SINGLE DAY TO DRILL HOLES AND MAKE THINGS HAPPEN THAT PEOPLE DIDN’T THINK WAS POSSIBLE. – JOHN CHRISTIANSEN

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L A N D S CA P I N G

KEEP ON CLIMBING LANDSCAPER LEAVES BEHIND HIS SUCCESSFUL CORPORATE CAREER TO FOLLOW HIS PASSION

For siblings growing up in the Harris family, pick-up sticks was more than just a game. It was their livelihood.

“My dad opened his tree-service company back in 1973,” Jesse Harris

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says. “I remember helping out at a young age by clearing away sticks and assisting with the cleanup. I grew up in this business.”

What started as picking up sticks for his father’s tree-trimming business quickly grew into a passion. An arborist at heart, Jesse eventually followed in his father’s footsteps to open his own successful company, SaveMore Tree Service.

“Before opening SaveMore, I worked for a couple of corporate companies,” he says. “I was good at what I did, but I knew what I really wanted – I missed working outdoors – so I saved the money and started my own business about three years ago.”

THE SAVEMORE MOTTO SaveMore Tree Service offers tree removal and trimming services, stump grinding, storm prep and cleanup, land clearing, emergency tree removal and Christmas light installation to southern Florida’s Palm Beach County.

Operating in an area ripe with treeservicing companies, Jesse and his team have come up with a simple and effective way to keep SaveMore top of mind.

charging a fair price, and that’s made possible by our MT85 mini track loader.

It helps us do the job faster, and that’s incredibly valuable.”

FROM SAPLING TO SUCCESS What gave Jesse the courage to live out his dream? Some might say it was in his blood. Just ask his 13 brothers and sisters, five of whom have their own tree-service companies.

“Ever since we were five years old, my brothers and I have helped out with the family business,” Jesse says. “I became a certified arborist when I was 21 years old, and it’s still my passion.”

BUSINESS: SaveMore Tree Service OWNER: Jesse Harris ESTABLISHED: 2017

But before he could go back to his roots, Jesse had one important thing to check off his list.

“As far as I’m concerned, there are three simple rules to running a successful business,” he says. “Offer fair prices, provide excellent customer service and do a good, clean job. That’s it. That’s what I focus on.”

“I waited to start my business until after I bought the MT85,” he says. “Once I had it, I opened SaveMore the very next day. My brother used an MT55 for his business, and after seeing the success he had with that machine, I knew I needed something similar.”

Jesse’s three simple rules seem to be working. In only three years, he’s earned more than 150 five-star reviews online and glowing personal comments from his customers.

Jesse opened SaveMore in 2017, and after a little trial and error, he soon learned an important key to his company’s future success.

“I care about what I do, and that’s clear to our clients,” Jesse says. “Our motto is, ‘Don’t pay more when you can call SaveMore.’ We try to be the best while

“When I worked for our family and other tree companies, they had 15 or 20 crews working at one time,” Jesse says. “I realized that number came with

LOCATION: West Palm Beach, Florida BOBCAT MACHINE: MT85 mini track loader BOBCAT ATTACHMENTS: General purpose bucket, industrial grapple, stump grinder BOBCAT DEALER: Bobcat of Palm Beach

a lot of headaches and expenses. There were times we had to scramble because some of the guys weren’t as reliable as others. With SaveMore, we operate smaller crews, so we’re able to build better relationships with our customers and become more profitable. It’s all about great customer service and highquality work, so I only hire the best. I’d be nothing without my crew. I try to take good care of them.”

Whatever the job, Jesse’s team knows they can rely on the power and maneuverability of their MT85 to help them work as efficiently as possible.

“It’s not uncommon for us to remove 45to 50-foot-tall palm trees,” Jesse says.

“The MT85 is perfect because it’s better on the customer’s lawn, and I’m able to use the grapple attachment to pick up heavy logs and large palm fronds. On jobs like this, if you don’t have the right equipment it can lead to more grunt work for the crew. The beautiful thing about this machine is that it virtually eliminates manual labor. When you use the MT85, your back is fine and you’re continued on page 24

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L A N D S CA P I N G

WE LOVE THE VERSATILITY OF THE MT85. WE ARE ABLE TO QUICKLY SWITCH BETWEEN ATTACHMENTS LIKE THE GRAPPLE AND THE STUMP GRINDER. IT’S SO EFFICIENT BEING ABLE TO USE THEM BOTH, BECAUSE IT MAKES IT SUCH AN INCREDIBLY UNIVERSAL AND EFFICIENT TOOL. – JESSE HARRIS

not stressed out because it’s reliable and easy to use. That’s huge.”

Luckily, Jesse has a powerful support system he can always count on.

In addition to removing the logs from fallen 50-foot palm trees, Jesse also relies on the MT85 to handle the smaller aspects of his projects, like stump grinding.

“My sales specialist, Scott Comfort, is one of the top names on my Christmas card list,” he says. “I didn’t know him before opening this business, but I consider Scott a friend now. He is very personal, knowledgeable and is always willing to go above and beyond should we need him to. Everyone at Bobcat of Palm Beach has been there for me, and I know they are on my side.”

“We love the versatility of the MT85,” he says. “We are able to quickly switch between attachments like the grapple and the stump grinder. It’s so efficient being able to use them both, because it makes it such an incredibly universal and efficient tool.”

A TEAM EFFORT Building a successful company from the ground up is difficult to do on your own.

FUTURE FLEET GOALS

But there’s one relationship that supersedes even his dealer’s phenomenal service.

a great mind for marketing, and that’s been huge for bringing in new business. A lot of people spend big money on advertisements, but she’s strategic enough that nearly 80% of our promotional material is completely free. We take photos and videos of our projects or post discounts to our Facebook page, and that does a great job of attracting new customers.

Facebook is the new word of mouth when it comes to advertising, and my wife is great at showing off what we can do. I honestly wouldn’t be where I am today without her. ”

“A lot of my success I owe to my wife, Kinsey,” Jesse says. “She has

The Harrises always have each other’s backs. So when Jesse’s older brother began shopping for a small articulated loader, Jesse gave him the best advice he could – be patient.

“I’m really glad Bobcat is entering this field. There’s a ton of use for small articulated loaders in Florida, especially when you consider the capabilities of [Bobcat] turf tires and the maneuverability they’ll offer.”

“If he waits for a Bobcat small articulated loader, he’ll get much more bang for his buck,” Jesse says.

As far as Jesse’s own fleet goals, he’s also looking forward to what’s next for Bobcat equipment. ®

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“I’m eagerly awaiting the day I can get my hands on a Bobcat small articulated loader,” Jesse says.

“Based on what I’ve seen so far, I think it’s going to be a better quality, stronger and more efficient machine than what’s already on the market.”

Learn more about Bobcat small articulated loaders at MyWorkSaver.com/SAL

C O N S T R UC TI O N

WADING THROUGH THE WATERS NEW YORK CONCRETE COMPANY HELPS RESTORE HURRICANE-WRECKED HOMES Howling winds shook buildings and ripped apart houses while a forceful downpour flooded homes, streets and subway lines.

Leaving an estimated $70 billion of damage in its wake, Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc on New York and surrounding states in the fall of 2012.

Eight years later, John Cunha, president and CEO of JFM Concrete, is still helping to pick up the pieces left behind by the devastating storm.

JFM Concrete does it all: concrete placement; residential, commercial and industrial construction; reinforced sidewalks; continued on page 26

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CONSTRUCTION

“We worked smarter,” he says. “We were able to complete projects in about half the time.”

BUSINESS: JFM Concrete OWNER: John Cunha IN BUSINESS SINCE: 1984 LOCATION: Medford, New York BOBCAT MACHINES: S770 (two), S650 (six), S630, S250 and S70 skid-steer loaders; T770 (two), T650 (two) and T300 compact track loaders; MT85 (two) mini track loaders; Toolcat™ 5600 utility work machine; E85, E55 (two) and E35 compact excavators BOBCAT ATTACHMENTS: Augers, breakers, grapple, landscape rakes, snow blades, snowblowers, sweepers BOBCAT DEALER: Bobcat of Long Island

demolition; excavation and even snow removal. But it was the demolition and construction side of his business that proved essential after Superstorm Sandy hit the area.

GETTING AN EARLY START John got his start in concrete at an early age helping his dad with the family business, which was founded in 1984. After a while, John decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and take on the business full-time. He renamed the company JFM Concrete in 1999.

John eventually traded in his first Bobcat loader for a slightly larger, more powerful model. Since then, JFM Concrete has grown its fleet to more than 20 machines – a mix of compact excavators, compact track loaders, skid-steer loaders, mini track loaders and a Toolcat™ utility work machine.

“My decision was always Bobcat,” he says. “You can feel the difference in the way that they operate.”

REBUILDING WITH BOBCAT EQUIPMENT Demolishing hurricane-ravaged foundations and rebuilding them from the ground up is no easy feat, and it’s not something John takes lightly.

“When Superstorm Sandy hit, there was about four feet of water on the streets; it destroyed so many homes,” John says.

“We meet every homeowner. Once we finish the job, the homeowners are very grateful, and they can get back to their normal lives.”

JFM Concrete does everything but lift the house when working on these hurricane-wrecked homes. John first calculates the new foundation height by adding two feet to the base flood height – which in some cases can total nine feet. Once the house has been lifted, the company typically starts by demolishing the old foundation. They then pour new footings and new walls

“It’s a Portuguese thing – everybody does concrete,” John says. “I started going with my father when I was 5 or 6 years old.”

Not only did John join his father in the concrete business, but he also helped to broaden the services that it offered.

As the company expanded into other aspects of the construction industry, it quickly became apparent that in order to continue growing and keep up with demand they would need to invest in equipment. In 1995, John brought in the company’s first skid-steer loader, a Bobcat S175. ®

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before backfilling for the new slab. Last but not least, they pour the new slab.

“Since Sandy hit, everybody’s been busy,” John says. “Concrete is one of the first things that needs to be done, depending on the damage, when working on these homes. There’s a huge demand.”

With some houses covering more than 2,000 square feet, JFM Concrete often has to bring in an extensive amount of dirt to get the job done. A mid-size compact loader, such as the T650, hauls soil from a pile outside to an area inside the foundation’s new walls. An MT85 then navigates the small interior spaces of the foundation to redistribute and grade the dirt.

“Jobs like these usually take about a week and a half to two weeks from start to finish,” John says. “It’s something that we construct from scratch. It basically feels like we’re putting people’s lives back together.”

The right equipment is essential for John and his team to tackle these large projects. One job alone required eight machines to remove sand from between houses in Long Beach. Thanks to the compact and agile Bobcat machines, John and his crew were able to work diligently to get cleanup started.

“Having the right equipment for the right job makes all the difference,” he says. “The work gets done quicker, and people are able to get back into their homes faster.”

HAVING THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT FOR THE RIGHT JOB MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE. THE WORK GETS DONE QUICKER, AND PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO GET BACK INTO THEIR HOMES FASTER. – JOHN CUNHA GROWING THE BUSINESS Since introducing Bobcat equipment to the business in 1995, John has been able to continue successfully growing the company that his dad started 36 years ago.

“It used to take us a day to work on 20 to 30 piers, and now we can get the same amount done in a matter of two hours,” John says. “The Bobcat machines haven’t replaced any of my crew needs, but they’ve enhanced the crew I already have. As a company, we can accomplish so much more.”

Over the years, John has added several services to the business, including demolition, snow removal and maintenance.

“The size of our operation continues to grow,” John says. “We’ll probably end up with two or three more Bobcat machines as we continue to expand. It’s kind of a thing. You don’t know when to stop growing because there is always a need for these types of services. As long as there’s work out there, we’ve always gone after it. We’re still hungry.”

THE BOBCAT DEALER DIFFERENCE Not only has Bobcat equipment helped John grow the family business, but his relationship with his dealer has helped him continue that success.

“You can use one machine for everything,” he says.

“I’ve been with Bobcat since day one,” John says. “I have so many machines, and if one’s down, my dealer will work hard to get me a new one quickly. It all comes down to having the right equipment for the right jobs. We’ve been growing ever since we got our first Bobcat machine.”

While John is content with the services JFM Concrete currently offers clients, he is excited about the future growth of the business.

Watch a behind-the-scenes video of John’s crew at work at MyWorkSaver.com/JFM

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CUSTOMER SERVICE COUNTS The Cunha family’s concrete company has been in business for over 36 years. Owner John Cunha credits much of that success to having the right equipment to handle the jobs, working with a great dealer and focusing on customer service.

“The key to keeping customers happy is to show up on time with the right equipment,” he says. “We keep customer satisfaction high at our company because of our service. We always do what we say we’re going to do, and we get things done quickly.”

B O B C A T. C O M / N E W M A C H I N E S

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