A new Cat® machine is roaming the Nashville Zoo to help with renovations and exhibit expansions at the popular Music City destination. Nashville-based Cat Financial and Cat dealer Thompson Machinery delivered a Cat 277C Multi Terrain Loader to help build new entrances, ticket booths and a new bear enclosure.
“The Zoo is going through such an enormous expansion right now,” says Nashville Zoo President Rick Schwartz. “We’re doing more this year than we’ve done any other year, and we just need more equipment.”
Cat Financial Vice President Kim Neible was on-site to deliver the keys to the machine, which came through Cat Financial’s used inventory. Representatives from Thompson Machinery spent the day with the grounds crew to ensure safe and efficient use of their new machine.
“This is the ideal machine we need,” says Schwartz. “It’s going to be an invaluable asset to the Nashville Zoo.”
The Zoo expects to use the versatile machine for a variety of daily tasks. The new entrance project will improve traffic flow in and out of the zoo and create a more visible entrance from the highway. The bear enclosure is a major construction project that will feature a Peruvian-themed lodge and several viewing areas.
“We cannot accomplish what we want to accomplish by doing it alone,” says Nashville Zoo’s Director of Facilities, Jim Kubacki. “We have to depend on our vendors, contractors and suppliers-and we thank everybody for their support.”
