Cat® Machines Help Small Concrete Company Keep Pace with Big Business 

As a small business owner, Robert Parvin knows that dependable equipment makes all the difference in today’s competitive market. He’s been in the concrete industry for more than 15 years and has worked hard to learn what it takes to run a commercial subcontracting company. About five years ago, he started Raleigh East Concrete in North Carolina, which provides commercial and industrial concrete services to the Raleigh-Durham area and beyond.

Parvin owns just a few machines for his operation, so it’s crucial that every piece of equipment is operating at maximum capacity at all times. If one goes down, that means lost man hours in the field. Worse, Raleigh East Concrete could lose business to larger contractors with bigger fleets. That’s why Parvin has a critical need for reliable equipment. He also relies on a trusted partner to supply him with the tools necessary to successfully run his business and take on the competition.

Working with his local Cat® dealer, Gregory Poole Equipment, Parvin built a small fleet of versatile and dependable Cat Skid Steer Loaders, Mini Excavators and other machines. He says that Caterpillar’s reputation for reliability gives him peace of mind at the end of the day so he can relax with his family and find time for his favorite hobby – fishing. 

Cat Machines Make Life Easier

On most jobs, Parvin and his crew use Cat D Series Skid Steer Loaders to excavate and move dirt before pouring concrete. The versatility of the D Series appeals to Parvin because he is able to do more with less. The ability to use one multi-purpose machine for many different tasks allows Parvin to keep pace with larger companies that have more diverse fleets. 

Working on congested, high-volume job sites, safety is always top-of-mind for the Raleigh East Concrete crew. Parvin likes the enhanced visibility offered by the D Series, including backup cameras, rearview mirrors and clear lines of site from inside the cab. In addition, the comfortable cabin adds to overall efficiency.

“Most skid steers throw you around so bad that you can’t operate at maximum capacity, which is full throttle,” said Parvin. “The ride in a Cat D Series Skid Steer Loader is so much smoother; you can accelerate faster and for longer periods of time. That comfort level has a positive effect on both safety and productivity.”

Parvin’s team also utilizes a Cat 304E CR Mini Hydraulic Excavator to dig concrete footings. On job sites with varied building requirements, Parvin says this versatile machine makes it easy to dig the correct parameters to minimize concrete waste and maximize profit every time. In addition, easy-to-use joystick controls inside the cab increase efficiency.

“ONE OF THE BEST THINGS ABOUT THE E SERIES IS THE ABILITY TO SWITCH FROM EXCAVATOR MODE TO BACKHOE MODE WITH THE PUSH OF A BUTTON. ALL OF THESE FEATURES MAKE FOR A VERY PRODUCTIVE PIECE OF EQUIPMENT THAT YOU KNOW WILL START UP EVERY MORNING WHEN YOU GET TO THE JOB SITE.”

“One of the best things about the E Series is the ability to switch from excavator mode to backhoe mode with the push of a button,” Parvin stated. “All of these features make for a very productive piece of equipment that you know will start up every morning when you get to the job site.”

Attachments Increase Versatility

Attachments are crucial to the work performed by Raleigh East Concrete. They are must-haves, according to Parvin, as they allow for a quick transition from loader buckets to forklifts to augers and back again. On any given day, Parvin’s crew might need to drill holes for footings, excavate old concrete and pour new concrete, in addition to other tasks.

“We rotate between two or three different buckets on the mini excavator, and we use the loader bucket and forklift attachments on the skid steers,” said Parvin. “The footings for our buildings are all different sizes, so it’s essential to have those attachments at our fingertips to maximize productivity.”

On E Series machines, Parvin likes Caterpillar’s simple, sturdy quick coupler design because it saves time and money. Quickly switching attachments is a simple way to increase efficiency and lets Raleigh East Concrete complete each job faster so they can move on to the next one.

Rental Store Supplements Owned Equipment

As a small business, Parvin only owns a few machines. For larger jobs that require more, Parvin turns to Cat Rental for the latest equipment to complement his existing fleet. Renting Cat equipment to supplement the equipment he owns allows Parvin to compete with larger companies without cutting into his profit margins. By both renting and owning Cat equipment, Parvin’s business continues to thrive and grow in the Raleigh-area concrete market.     

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“We’re a small concrete subcontractor in this area and here we are doing the same work as the big guys,” Parvin added. “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.”

Cat Dealer as a Trusted Partner

Since uptime is so crucial in keeping his small business competitive, Parvin values his personal relationship with the team at Gregory Poole Equipment.

“All of the guys are great. No matter what we ask for they can make it happen,” said Parvin. “If our Cat dealer team comes out to service a machine, they send an email with a phenomenal report that details what’s been fixed, what needs attention and what needs to be monitored to keep the machine running in top shape.”

“WE’RE A SMALL CONCRETE SUBCONTRACTOR IN THIS AREA AND HERE WE ARE 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.” 

Parvin says that documentation of maintenance and repairs is key for not only ensuring reliability but also resale value when it’s time to sell a piece of equipment and upgrade his fleet.

“With Caterpillar equipment, you know it’s going to last and still be worth something with 3,000 or 4,000 hours on it,” explained Parvin. “Regardless of how long you’re planning on using a machine, you need a maintenance schedule to make sure it’s working properly.”

Parvin says he is grateful for the outstanding support from his Cat dealer, which allows him to run the business he loves more efficiently. That means moving on to his favorite part of the day – quality time with his family.

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