Cat® Products and Dealer Support Help Small Contractor Compete with Bigger Operations

Robert Parvin has never been one to shy away from a challenge. So when he got the chance to start a concrete business, he jumped right in—despite the fact that most competitors in the area were large companies with big fleets.

His strategy for competing with a small fleet? Start with a few key machines. Add attachments to expand versatility. Rent when you need more capacity. And choose a partner that will support you every step of the way. He’s executing that strategy effectively with Cat® products and Cat dealer Gregory Poole Equipment.

On most jobs, Parvin’s crew uses Cat skid steer loaders to excavate and move dirt before pouring concrete. The operators appreciate the machines’ great visibility and comfortable ride.

“Most skid steers throw you around so bad you can’t operate at maximum capacity,” says Parvin. “But the Cat skid steer is so much smoother, you can accelerate faster for longer periods of time. That has a positive effect on safety and productivity.”

Parvin’s team also uses a Cat mini excavator to dig concrete footings. He says the machine makes it easy to dig accurately so there’s less waste and more profit potential. The operators like how simple it is to switch from excavator mode to backhoe mode.

They like the quick tool changes too. On any given day, the crew uses buckets, forks, augers and more. Cat’s quick coupler makes tool changes easy, so work gets done efficiently, jobs are finished faster and the team can move on to other projects.

As big opportunities emerge, Parvin uses rental to expand capacity quickly. Flexing the fleet with rental assets lets him compete for larger contracts without a huge capital outlay. Gregory Poole Equipment provides rental service as well as comprehensive parts and service support.

“No matter what we ask for, they make it happen,” says Parvin. “If they service a machine, they send an email with a phenomenal report detailing what’s been fixed, what needs attention and what we should monitor.”

These reports not only keep Parvin informed about his equipment; they also document how well the units have been taken care of which should improve resale value.

Parvin speaks highly of his relationship with Caterpillar. “We’re a small subcontractor doing the same work as the big guys. The only reason we’re able to compete on that level is because we have reliable equipment that works when we need it, and we have Caterpillar to bring it to us.”