Contractor Credits Growth to Cat Financial Services

Previously, Sellers Construction was just another mining contractor in central Georgia. Today, it’s one of the state’s leading companies across multiple industries. Instrumental in that growth: a longtime relationship with Cat Financial.

In 1999, Rader Sellers bought two small Cat^® articulated trucks and a D6 dozer from Cat dealer Yancey Bros. Then he got to work supporting the mining industry as a small, overburdened contractor. Today, he oversees three companies: Sellers Construction (mining and earthmoving), Sellers Contracting (grading and site development) and Sellers Transport Services (heavy haul). His fleet now includes approximately 450 pieces of equipment.

Most are yellow. More than 100 have been financed by Cat Financial. “They’ve been instrumental in helping build our fleet,” Sellers says. “They’ve been very competitive with their rates.”

SOLUTIONS BUILT AROUND THE BUSINESS

Competitive rates aren’t the only reason for choosing Cat Financial services, though. For Sellers, the most important factor is industry knowledge.

Sellers appreciates that Cat Financial services are tailored to his equipment and business needs.

“They understand the product, plain and simple,” Sellers says. “They understand how long things should last. They understand how long we should be financing stuff. We’re on the same page, and that makes it easy.”

To acquire large excavators used on mining and earthmoving jobs, Sellers Construction uses the Cat equipment lease. These machines often operate five or six days a week. Sometimes they run up to 10 hours a day.

“It’s very demanding work,” Sellers says. “Over three or four years, we start to lose efficiency. We want to trade in and start over. The Cat equipment lease allows us that flexibility.”

It also simplifies budgeting.

“The value that leasing brings is we know our monthly costs,” says Trippe Brooks, vice president at Sellers Construction. “We factor everything in, from maintenance to repairs. We can nail it down to a per-yard number.”

FINANCING FOR A SECOND LIFE

Another budget-saver for Sellers Construction is rebuilding equipment.

In 2017, the company completed its first Cat Certified Rebuild. Rebuilds return end-of-life machines, systems and components to like-new condition. The cost is significantly less than the cost of buying new. 

“Rebuilding the machine to get a second life plays a big part in keeping our costs down,” Brooks says. “We can pass that on to our customers.”

Sellers Construction has rebuilt a dozen trucks with Yancey Bros. The company plans to put 10 dozers through the program. Cat Financial services include rebuild financing, which spreads the cost over time.

“For me, it’s a no-brainer,” Sellers says.

PEACE OF MIND MATTERS

Rebuilt machines include a like-new warranty on all replaced parts. Sellers Construction also adds an Equipment Protection Plan (EPP) through Cat Financial.

EPP steps in when the warranty expires. It provides protection from unplanned repair costs caused by covered defects in Cat material and manufacturer workmanship.

That peace of mind has convinced Sellers Construction to buy EPP for many leased machines, too.

“We want to know we’re not going to add unexpected cost,” Brooks says. “We purchase EPP up front for the life of the lease. We have a fixed cost per cycle for that machine.”

BUILT-IN CONVENIENCE AND FLEXIBILITY

For added security, Sellers Construction purchases many machines with a Customer Value Agreement (CVA). A Cat CVA is a hassle-free ownership and maintenance plan. It includes genuine Cat parts, equipment health management tools and flexible dealer support.