According to Dancy, Doosan’s GPS is a Total Fleet Management System that will lower his customers’ operating costs. Says Dancy, the Doosan’s GPS provides three-tier protection.

“The customer becomes his own first line of defense,” he says, “by monitoring his own GPS equipped fleet. Monroe Tractor provides the second line of defense by monitoring its customer’s machines and assisting with any needs he may have and  Doosan provides the last line of defense by monitoring all GPS equipped machines on a daily basis.”

All three tiers have access to the information through any Internet capable device (computer, cell phone or PDA).

Dancy reports delivering Doosan wheel loaders and excavators with the option installed.

For more information visit www.MonroeTractor.com
or call the Monroe Tractor sales office nearest you:
Henrietta, NY: 585-334-3867; Buffalo, NY: 716-681-7100; or Syracuse, NY: 315-452-0000.

Kleemann has been a major player worldwide for more than 150 years, according to Miller. It’s only been since 2006, however, that its products have become available in the U.S. market. In the mid 1980s it was one of the pioneers in the construction of track mounted mobile equipment.

As a subsidiary of the Wirtgen Group, a brand already familiar to many Monroe Tractor customers, Kleemann offers many innovative technologies in its portfolio of crushers and screens. “The addition will not only be good for our traditional construction market,” says Miller, “but it will also open up the quarry market for us.”

Kleemann offers mobile jaw crushers ranging from the compact MOBICAT MC 100 R, its smallest with a maximum feed capacity of 200 t/h (tons per hour), to the MOBICAT MC 160 Z with a feed capacity of 1,500 t/h.

The company also manufactures seven mobile impact crushers called the MOBRIEX. The smallest MOBRIEX is the MR 100 R with a feed capacity of 280 t/h and the largest is the MR 170 Z with a 700 t/h feed capacity.

Finally, MT will be offering the Kleemann MOBISCREEN. Again there is a range of screens to choose from. On the smaller end is the MS 19 Z with a feed capacity of 500 t/h and on the larger end is the MS 23 D, which has a feed capacity of 800 t/h.

Watch for the next edition of MT Solutions, which is slated to showcase the Kleemann crushers and screens. More immediate information may be obtained by contacting your local MT representative.

For more information visit www.MonroeTractor.com
or call the Monroe Tractor sales office nearest you:
Henrietta, NY: 585-334-3867; Buffalo, NY: 716-681-7100; or Syracuse, NY: 315-452-0000.

As sure as the sun comes up in the morning, when Tim Nash arrives at work each day, trucks will be lined up to empty the trash, construction debris, and other solid wastes and recyclables collected in the region around Rensselaer County, east of Albany, NY.  As site manager for a regional transfer facility of County Waste & Recycling Services, Nash does not have the luxury of shutting down operations for equipment maintenance or repairs – the trucks never stop coming, and the facility would be inundated within hours.

Needless to say, moving mountains – even mountains of refuse – takes heavy equipment.  County Waste has a number of machines used to transfer the incoming material received into the 100-yard walking floor trailers they use to transport the material to designated landfills.  The operation relies on several excavators, bucket loaders, and a skid steer that have to be working every day.  In the low-margin waste business, those machines must repay their purchase price many times over, so it’s not unusual for one to log more than 20,000 hours of use and still be in operation.

Keeping the entire operation flowing smoothly is Nash’s responsibility, and he has relied exclusively on Monroe Tractor to perform critical service and maintenance to the company’s equipment fleet since 2008.

“Our equipment service provider must meet two requirements – without fail,” Nash insists.  “They must be available to work at our site, and they must respond immediately, any time of day or night.  If a machine breaks down at the end of a day, it has to be operating by 4:30 the next morning.  Few service companies would even try to make that commitment – not even the original equipment manufacturers.  And, from our experience, only one has been able to keep their commitment.  Monroe Tractor has gone above and beyond the call of duty so many times that we’ve come to expect the impossible.”

Perhaps more impressive, Monroe does not sell any of the machines in use at County Waste.  They are servicing other dealers’ equipment and doing so better and faster than those dealers can.  The key is the experience and knowledge of the Monroe service staff.  Tom Stover, Monroe Tractor service manager, leads the service team responsible for maintaining County Waste’s equipment.

“Today, there are several very capable machine manufacturers,” Stover says.  “We represent several of the top brands but, of course no one can represent them all.  Service is where we can differentiate ourselves.  Providing excellent customer service is the best way to build a long-term relationship, and fixing a machine in an emergency situation is a great way to win a new customer.  We look for any opportunity to perform where others can’t or won’t, and we then leverage the trust we’ve earned to drive new equipment sales.”

Over the last several years, Monroe has had many opportunities to fail at County Waste, but they’ve pulled off the impossible every time.  In one example, the Monroe service technician was performing routine maintenance on County Waste’s Volvo Model L110 wheel loader at the transfer station in Troy, NY, when he identified that the machine had a blown head gasket.  Left unrepaired, it could cause the unit to overheat, potentially leading to more expensive repairs.  The Monroe team acquired the necessary parts from a Volvo dealer in Albany and raced back in time to work overnight to repair the machine.  It was ready to go by the start of its shift the next day.

A similar situation occurred when working on a Caterpillar Model 345 Excavator.  The machine broke down during the day shift and required a new fuel injector nozzle.  The local Caterpillar dealer did not stock the part, and so, while the Monroe technician tore down the machine, their branch manager, Paul Bien, drove to Kingston, NY, to retrieve the necessary part.  Monroe was able to have the machine repaired in three hours so that County Waste could use it for the remainder of the day’s shift.

Monroe has also proven itself by working on the entire range of equipment used by County Waste.  They have performed routine maintenance and major repairs on the customer’s John Deere skid steer, a Kobelco SK250 excavator, and a Caterpillar Model 963 track loader, in addition to the Volvo and Caterpillar machines described above.

“Monroe makes me feel like we are their most important customer,” says Nash, “and I expect that their other customers feel the same way.  By providing a one-stop shop for all of our equipment parts and service needs, and then meeting our expectations every time we call, they have become our most trusted business partner.  I never worry that they won’t solve my problem and do so before it becomes a bigger problem.”

For more information visit www.MonroeTractor.com
or call the Monroe Tractor sales office nearest you:
Henrietta, NY: 585-334-3867; Buffalo, NY: 716-681-7100; or Syracuse, NY: 315-452-0000.

It’s always good to discover a business relationship that works for everyone involved. Steve Lindstrom at the Jamestown, NY Lake Shore Paving recognizes just such a relationship with Monroe Tractor.

Lindstrom started Lake Shore Paving in 1998, in New York’s westernmost corner near the Pennsylvania border. Like most companies, Lindstrom started small; the company initially provided excavation, site clearing, snow removal, and paving services for residential and smaller commercial projects. In the twelve years since, the company has expanded its service-offering repeatedly, in large part because of its interaction purchasing or leasing equipment, from Monroe Tractor.

“Monroe has been with us from the start,” Mark Lindstrom, the founder’s son, tells us. Mark now manages much of the company’s day-to-day operations, and like his father, he has come to trust and rely on the expertise and services offered by Monroe. “We have bought and rented a number of machines from their Buffalo store over the years, most recently a Vogele Vision Paver, Model 5200, which we needed for a DOT project in Chautauqua County. The machine exceeded our expectations. It was fast, at over 200 feet per minute, and did not slow down, even over the steep grades that are prevalent on that section of State Highway 83.”

Over the years, Monroe has provided Lake Shore with parts, service, and exceptional equipment expertise as the company expanded into the commercial, state and local government, and education markets. Jay Taylor, a MT Buffalo branch district manager, handles Monroe’s business with Lake Shore. To do so, he maintains a working knowledge of the paving industry. “He’s always available with information and technology updates on the latest advances in construction machinery. In addition to the Vogele paver, Jay also recommended a Hamm articulated tandem roller that has performed well on multiple Lake Shore projects.

“Monroe is a full-service construction equipment company,” Taylor says, “and it’s my responsibility to know my customer’s business. I have worked with Steve and Mark as they’ve taken on new and diverse work for schools, shopping centers, real estate developers, and the Departments of Transportation in both New York and Pennsylvania. When I learned that Lake Shore wanted to pursue state paving projects, I researched the leading manufacturers so that I could present Mark with every option. The Vogele paver was a great selection, and the Hamm HD 120 is a steady performer and one of the best for use on steep grades. Our rental customers have been very satisfied with its performance, and our maintenance costs have been very reasonable.”

While many customers use Monroe  to maintain their equipment, even if they purchased it elsewhere, Lake Shore has the skills on staff to service their machines from a fully-equipped service bay at their Jamestown equipment yard. Still, they rely on Monroe for all parts and service supplies, and the company supports their self-maintenance by stocking a full complement of the most commonly replaced machine components. If a part is not in stock, Monroe is able to order it from the manufacturer and receive it the next day.

Monroe Tractor and Lake Shore Paving have had a long and mutually beneficial relationship with equal parts customer care and customer loyalty. Monroe has watched Lake Shore grow from a small company with one machine to a major contractor capable of executing million dollar contracts. They have supported each new venture Lake Shore has undertaken with the best equipment, prompt responsive service, and expert advice. Lake Shore has reciprocated by making Monroe its primary vendor and service provider for all construction equipment needs.

As both companies continue to grow and enjoy success against strong competition in their respective markets, the relationship will only grow stronger.

For more information visit www.MonroeTractor.com
or call the Monroe Tractor sales office nearest you:
Henrietta, NY: 585-334-3867; Buffalo, NY: 716-681-7100; or Syracuse, NY: 315-452-0000.

Most good relationships are built on trust . . . which might just be another way, in a business environment, of saying service.

The Power and Construction Group, Incorporated (P&CG) has long been a customer of Monroe Tractor, renting and purchasing a variety of construction equipment from Monroe Tractor (MT) locations across upstate New York. For certain, the trust in this relationship is built on service.

P&CG is in several diverse markets and has unique equipment requirements; so MT set out from the beginning of their relationship to earn the company’s trust. They knew almost instinctively that providing well-maintained equipment and by locating equipment from other sources if it does not have a particular machine available, would be the catalyst to a solid relationship. What’s matured is a mutual respect – indeed Monroe often engages P&CG’s trucking division, MCE Transportation, to haul its equipment to and from customer job sites, according to Sandy Alvarez, MT rental manager.

P&CG is comprised of five subsidiary companies. In addition to MCE, its KBH Construction Division provides site services to gas, electric, and communications utilities. Livingston Lighting and Power offers a full spectrum of electrical construction services, both overhead and underground. Valley Sand and Gravel Inc. operates a NYS DOT-approved facility outside Rochester that delivers various materials and concrete to commercial and government customers.  KBH Environmental, LLC is a versatile environmental service organization that provides consulting expertise and a wide range of products and services.

Scott Ingalls, EVP-Operations for P&CG, explains their relationship with Monroe:  “First and foremost, we are a service company. Our commitment is to our customers. P&CG provides a diverse range of services that often require multi-trade capable personnel and diverse equipment needs, and Monroe has been a big part of our offering. At the end of the day though, our customers only care that we solved a problem or provided a needed service for them. Our companies are organized around delivering those services, as the customer comes first. Monroe has always impressed us because they have the same attitude. We’ve called them with some pretty extreme requests, and they’ve always looked for a way to provide that service, without regard to their current equipment inventory or workload. If we have an equipment need, we know they will do everything in their power to deliver. It’s that simple.” Monroe’s multiple locations across New York have also played an important part in the affiliation. We perform work statewide, including 24 hour customer emergency response, and we rely on quick-to-respond vendors, like Monroe. They have even assisted us with some of our out of state work, lining us up with local Case dealers.”

In addition to providing a range of equipment to P&CG, Monroe has earned the customer’s business by being flexible. The construction industry is very competitive and margins are low, yet the equipment required to complete some contracts is very expensive, and that cost is often not likely to be recouped from a single job. “Monroe has worked with P&CG to offer a variety of equipment leasing options,” says Alvarez. “Equipment has been rented for a day, week, or for the duration of a project.”

Kim Wilbert, MT rental assistant, notes “Monroe has also offered lease purchase options that allowed P&CG to apply previous payments towards a machine’s purchase as the customer contract was expanded or extended. For Monroe, the long-term relationship is the priority, and to achieve that, they must accommodate their customer’s short-term business environment.”

Tom Rizzo, Monroe’s district manager responsible for P&CG’s business, thinks relationships are even more important on the rental side of their business. “Sure, selling a machine that may cost several hundred thousand dollars requires that you gain the customer’s trust, but in many cases, it’s a one-time deal. We can easily do that same amount of rental business with a company over a year or two, but in that span, we’ll have had many opportunities to fail. We have to earn our rental customers’ trust on a weekly basis, on every new job.”

In more than 10 years working with P&CG, Monroe has provided all types of equipment, from backhoes and excavators to dozers and off-road haul trucks. Its inside sales team has developed an in-depth understanding of P&CG’s businesses and assist the customer’s procurement staff with equipment recommendations and alternatives. For example, a recent requirement to operate a machine in deep water exceeded the capability of Monroe’s in-stock equipment. After researching alternatives, MT recommended a modification to an existing machine that would equip it to meet the harsh environmental requirements. The adapter kit was ordered and expedited, MT technicians installed it, and the customer met their project timelines with the modified equipment.

Service Department is critical

Monroe’s service department is also critical to the success of its rental business. Obviously, rental equipment has to be well maintained or no one will pay to use it. And, to an extent, rental equipment requires more maintenance – it’s just a reality of the business that customers are “less particular” with rental equipment than with their own equipment. P&CG has always been impressed with the operating condition of Monroe’s rental fleet. As a result they trust Monroe to provide parts and service to P&CG-owned equipment.

The breadth of service provided by Monroe and their dedication to customer service has solidified a long and mutually beneficial working relationship with Power & Construction Group. It seems that a one-way rental can lead to relationships that works both ways.

Monroe’s rental service is centrally located at its Rochester branch and may be reach by calling 866-683-5338.

R.P.M. Tech is a Canadian manufacturer and the North American leader in the design, manufacture, maintenance and distribution of industrial snow blowers and snow removal equipment as well as heavy construction equipment and other specialized on and off highway vehicles.

The Cameleon, as its newest innovation, is what has Miller’s team excited these days. Cameleon is a multifunctional vehicle that can change right before your eyes, from a tracked snow removal vehicle to a four-wheel drive vehicle.

“We’ve worked with R.P.M. for at least 10 years,” says Miller. During that period MT has learned to anticipate the strong support its new Canadian partner brings to the table. In the past, according to Miller, there were too many R.P.M. options for MT to be able to stock everything a customer might need, so “we opted to work directly with R.P.M. but not with a dealer contract.”

MT among first US dealers

“With the recent introduction of the Cameleon that all changed. Only last month (May 2010) we officially became one of R.P.M.’s first U.S. dealerships. Our territory is the State of New York.”

The Cameleon is a class of its own. Miller notes that it is the only multifunctional vehicle offering dual traction modes, so it can adapt to our customers’ seasonal applications. Its usefulness in the winter is what first impressed MT. Says Miller, “The R.P.M. engineers developed a unique chassis enabling rapid switching of the vehicle traction mode. The Cameleon converts from a four-wheel drive vehicle to a track snow removal vehicle in less than four hours.”

Monroe Tractor saw customer reaction to the Cameleon first hand back in February. “Timing turned out to be perfect for us to put the Cameleon through its paces,” recalls Miller. “We scheduled a demonstration of its capabilities at our Albany store just as Mother Nature decided to demonstrate her winter capabilities, too.”

The City of Albany and the Broome County Airport are both using the RPM Snow Blower Products.

Many of MT’s customers have been struggling with tracked vehicles without enough horsepower to move the heavy snow common during Upstate New York winters. If they try to use more horsepower in a rubber-tired vehicle, lack of traction often becomes a problem. The Cameleon’s simple five-step conversion process only takes about four hours to complete, so it offers the best of both worlds.

Operators won’t be accused of lollygagging either. The Cameleon, with its 130 horsepower Perkins engine, can travel from 15 miles per hour in its work mode up to almost 25 mph in its travel mode. The Cameleon offers unrivaled power.

Only aluminum cab

Mounted on pneumatic suspension, mobile, light, anti-corrosive, designed to offer increased visibility in the front and rear decreasing blind spots; the Cameleon is Certified ROPS and FOPS. The cab includes a joystick, dashboard indicators, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, CD player and AM/FM radio.

Power take off up to 90 hp

The Cameleon offers 20 percent more hydraulic power than its closest competitor. Its super rugged chassis with a multidirectional joint is articulated by a roller bearing system allowing easy adjustment and minimal maintenance.

Miller boasts, “The multitasking Cameleon will be any customer’s most valuable ally in achieving a variety of maintenance tasks: grass cutting, fertilizing, spraying, roadside maintenance, sidewalk maintenance (sweeping and vacuuming), leaf loading, snow plowing, snow blowing, de-icing, sanding, etc.”

Subsequent to its introduction at the Albany store open house in June, Monroe Tractor anticipates moving across the state with shows and demonstrations.

For more information on how the Cameleon will work for you, simply contact any MT representative at your local Monroe Tractor store.
Henrietta, NY: 585-334-3867; Buffalo, NY: 716-681-7100; or Syracuse, NY: 315-452-0000.

Don’t bother trying to count the number of times that conversations about service in today’s marketplace end with someone saying, “There’s no customer service any more.” Unfortunately, there are too many examples of situations where this statement rings true.

That’s why the people at Monroe Tractor have redoubled their efforts to provide the best customer service in the industry. Not surprisingly, it’s the MT service departments that often take the lead.

Chris Felosky, product support manager, discussed his service department’s attitude during a recent interview. “Top notch service is all about people,” he said. “It’s felt by our customers but it begins with the people they encounter at Monroe Tractor every day.”

Customer service experts say that the best customer service comes from employees who know what they are doing, what their company expects and therefore how to keep the customer happy.

Monroe Tractor has looked at the needs of its customers in this tight economy. That led to its enhanced focus on ways it can meet or exceed customer expectations. “It’s where the customer is or where he’s coming from that’s important,” says Felosky. “Over the years we have developed policies and procedures that we expected to represent us well and work for our customers. However, as the economy continues to tighten we’ve had to reevaluate and pay even closer attention to the situations our customers find themselves in. That’s led us to the recognition that many of our customers are ‘making do’ with the equipment they already own, rather than committing to buying new equipment, which might have been the case a year or two ago.”

Based on this realization MT looked at its in-house service teams and recognized numerous capabilities that can help customers, even those who run equipment that are not part of its product line.  MT is well known throughout New York State for selling Case, Vogele, Wirtgen, LeeBoy, Vibrotech, and NPK equipment to mention a few major brands. “When we inventoried our skill base, we recognized that our customers frequently had other equipment in their fleets that our service technicians were well qualified to service,” said Felosky.

Vince Vito, MT Buffalo service manager, illustrated how true this is by noting the work his team of technicians does with Oakgrove Construction, Inc. headquartered in Elma, NY.

Oakgrove does everything from paving repairs and resurfacing on the New York State Thruway, to bridge reconstruction. To do so, it operates a wide variety of equipment. “Ninety-five percent of the service work we do with Oakgrove is on equipment that we don’t sell,” says Vito. He continues, “And, 99 percent of that work would classify as emergency calls. Typically we are sending our mobile units to their job site to handle the service call. It might be something relatively simple like a hydraulic leak or a more complicated engine repair.”

All of MT’s technicians are factory trained on the equipment it sells. But, the fact that they have also been trained on many other OEM lines has proven valuable to MT’s customers. “Combine this training and experience with the fact that much of the technology in today’s equipment is often common across the industry and you have a broad base of knowledge and experience that enables us to quote service work confidently and very competitively,” says Vito.

Sometimes, according to Felosky, a new customer will get introduced to Monroe Tractor’s service capabilities because he arrives at a branch in search of a part. It might be a cutting edge, bucket teeth, undercarriage components, or even a custom hydraulic hose. “Often the customer’s search is accompanied by questions that lead him to answers he didn’t expect to find because we aren’t a dealer for the equipment he’s running,” says Felosky.

It’s MT’s answers that lead to relationships they might not have readily recognized a couple years ago.

Keith Hagenbuch, MT’s Rochester service manager, pointed to the service his crew provides to Vermont headquartered Casella Waste Systems, Inc. “Casella had a large Komatsu dozer,” says Hagenbuch, “whose engine had failed six or eight months before we quoted on bringing it back to life.” MT’s knowledge of equipment as well as of the industry enabled the Rochester service department to bid against a Komatsu dealer and come in with the best deal for the customer.

John Dancy, branch sales manager for Rochester and Syracuse, was traveling with one of his salesman when they noticed D&R Excavating on a job site at the Rochester Institute of Technology. D& R wasn’t a local company so it was obvious to Dancy that they would likely need local service at some point during the project.

D&R operates Caterpillar dozers and excavators, but again MT’s knowledge and experience has proven up to the task. It’s now a common occurrence for an MT service truck to make it’s way to the RIT job site. Though less common, the Michigan company sometimes delivers equipment to MT’s service garage when a more involved repair is required.

Regardless which service department gets involved, experience is the key ingredient in meeting customer expectations. At its 11 stores (construction equipment as well as agricultural equipment stores) MT technicians average more than 15 years on the job. Whether it’s basic service, engine overhauls, hydraulic repairs, air conditioner maintenance or custom fabrication, experience and training is key.

Paul Bien is the branch manager at MT’s Albany branch. Since January the branch has maintained the city’s John Deere equipment as well as its Wildcat and RPM snow blowers. Again, it was the knowledge and experience of its technicians that enabled the branch to outbid the local John Deere dealer.

Much of the work is performed in the city’s shops or on location at various job sites and at the city landfill. When warranted, notes Bien, we bring equipment into our shop. Such was the case recently when a Cummins engine needed to be overhauled, and again when grouser pads needed to be replaced on their dozer.

“It’s all about service,” Felosky concludes. “When potential customers recognize the strength of our service teams and how price competitive we can be, we almost immediately start dispatching our mobile service trucks. Because it’s good for the customer, it’s good for us as well.”

For more information visit www.MonroeTractor.com
or call the Monroe Tractor sales office nearest you:
Henrietta, NY: 585-334-3867; Buffalo, NY: 716-681-7100; or Syracuse, NY: 315-452-0000.

Sean Donohoe, the company’s founder and president, graduated with a BS is Civil and Mechanical Engineering from Clarkson University. It was 1990 and he was chomping at the bit to get to work. He quickly started his career in design and soon moved into construction with a Rochester area construction company.

Donohoe only lasted seven years on someone else’s payroll before he needed to strike out on his own. “I always wanted to be involved in both design and construction,” he says. True design/build companies were scarce in the northeast, so he set out to fill the gap.

It’s been two years shy of a decade since he established the DDS Companies, originally setting himself up as DDS Engineers and Constructors. The engineering, primarily civil engineering, would be the planning part of the new company, while the constructors focused on site construction projects. DDS actually stands for “Donohoe Development Services.”

In 2006, a third element, the DDS Utility Division, was added to incorporate private utilities into the mix – gas, electric, television and cable work.

The combined knowledge and experience of our three divisions provides a higher level of accuracy for project scopes, budgets and schedules. The scope of services with all three divisions allows the DDS Companies to handle the design and construction of everything “outside of the building footprint,” according to Donohoe.

Now, Donohoe believes that his 200-plus employees are “better designers because we build projects, and we are better builders because we understand and appreciate design intent.”
When customers choose DDS for design and construction, they get the benefit of single-source responsibility that results in lower completed project cost.

DDS Engineers, LLP is a full service civil engineering firm specializing in site design and land planning services for commercial, residential and industrial site development. Since its inception in 2001, the DDS team of focused, highly motivated professionals has developed a resume of more than 800 projects, from planned residential and traditional commercial developments to mixed-use communities.

“We strive to provide a balanced combination of practical experience, accuracy and timeliness for our clients,” says Donohoe. “While our projects range from relatively small and simple, to large and complex, all of our clients are equally important. It is our goal to provide the highest level of service, performed with integrity and professionalism,” he says.
That goal doesn’t change when you turn your attention to DDS Constructors. The civil construction unit of the company has the resources and technical expertise to implement any land development project.

To do so it embraces various progressive technologies such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and industry leading software such as AutoCAD and InSite™ Earthwork & Utility Estimating that, working together help it increase speed and accuracy, which translates to efficiency and lower costs,” says Donohoe.

On every project, emphasis is on quality construction, procedural efficiency, safety, professionalism, and the maintenance of an organized job site.

Its newest division, DDS Utilities, performs electric, communication and gas construction throughout the region. “We are Energy East’s largest gas contractor and we’re proud to have broadened our scope of services by offering inside and outside plant telecommunications and fiber optic construction,” says Donohoe.

Equipment reliability is critical

Donohoe would be quick to point out that quality people are necessary for quality performance. He’s equally quick to agree that having the right equipment for any given project is just as critical. With almost 250 pieces of equipment rolling at any one time the DDS Companies have come to rely on certain equipment dealers.

Four years ago it turned to Monroe Tractor (MT), at its Rochester Branch, when DDS was in need of a small excavator. “It was my first purchase with Monroe,” recalls Donohoe. “We actually rented at first, which turned into the purchase of a Case CX50 mini-excavator once we were confident that our choice of equipment, as well as our experience with the equipment dealer, was what we needed.”

“Our strategy,” he says, “is to buy the best piece of equipment in any particular class. I can’t accept downtime with our equipment.”

DDS now owns 16 pieces of MT equipment, 12 Case backhoes and three Case mini-excavators (CX36’s) to which it added a Vogele Paver this past April.

When asked about the reasons for investing in the Vogele asphalt paver, Vice President Todd Rickard responded, “Vogele has designed this machine from the ground up to be superior to all of their competition. It was obvious to us that the engineering behind this machine was rock-solid based on industry experience as well as field knowledge. The built-in automation package and electronic controls are a fresh approach to this highly technical machine, where other manufacturers seem to be churning out the same old designs.”

When quizzed about why he keeps returning to Monroe, Donohoe has a list of reasons: “They carry the lines we’re interested in and it’s still a family run operation with a personal touch. We can deal with Henry Hansen, the founder, Janet Felosky, the president, or Kim Saylor, our sales representative, and the service and caring attitude is always the same.”

Of course price is always a consideration but, says Donohoe, “that cuts both ways. We’re always looking for the best price, best service, and best equipment combination.  Monroe only carries ‘Class A’ primary lines. So while it’s possible to find cheaper equipment all day long, finding the combination keeps us turning back to Monroe Tractor.”

For more information visit www.MonroeTractor.com
or call the Monroe Tractor sales office nearest you:
Henrietta, NY: 585-334-3867; Buffalo, NY: 716-681-7100; or Syracuse, NY: 315-452-0000.

Through some due diligence Monroe Tractor reached the decision to buy directly from the manufacturers.  This decision resulted in the elimination of several layers of markups that are typically embedded in the normal supply chain process.  “We realized that we could provide our customers with great quality and more choices by developing a direct purchasing program,” said Felosky.

The result? – The MT Advantage program.

Since its inception in 2006 the MT Advantage direct purchase program has resulted in lower prices on more than 1,800 parts for its valued customers. Through the program customers now have the option to purchase products such as oil filters, batteries, bearings, engine parts, transmission parts, chain, electrical components, fuel systems, radiators and more. Often the sources  for these products are popular brand names that Monroe Tractor’s customers will recognize such as ExxonMobil oil, CASE Viscosity oil, Baldwin filters, FleetGuard filters,  Exide batteries, and Timken bearings.

MT Advantage is about more than just direct purchase. A popular feature, for example, is the filter profile program. “We take the time,” Felosky says, “to profile our customer’s needs. We list all the equipment they have in place and then maintain a filter inventory to match the equipment.”

A Monroe Tractor product support representative visits the customer to inventory its supply and restock with the filters they need so the customer doesn’t have to worry about running out. “We’re able to show them what their true cost of filters is and then show them how the MT Advantage program saves them both time and money,” adds Felosky. “When the customers see the advantage in black and white they will normally agree to use Monroe Tractor for all their filter needs.”

Another service that has become an important part of the MT Advantage is the bulk oil & fluids program. This program provides totes, which are 275-gallon plastic oil storage containers, encased in steel cages for safety purposes. “We set up our customers with the totes,” said Felosky, “and Noco Oil delivers the oil in bulk quantities as low as 200 gallons. The totes are free to our customer and even the delivery is free as long as the minimum of 200 gallons is delivered.”

Felosky also notes that the minimum can be achieved in a combination of products (100 gallons of engine oil and 100 gallons of Mobil 424 hydraulic fluid for example) being delivered at the same time.

“Of course we don’t want to give short shrift to the customer with smaller needs,” says Felosky. That’s why they continue to make oil available in smaller quantities and customers can still look to Monroe Tractor for their single filter or battery needs. For example, Case Viscosity oil and ExxonMobil oil is always available in quarts, gallons, five-gallon pails, or 55-gallon drums.

At the typical Monroe Tractor customer’s place of business the pace of activity is virtually non-stop. “Our customers just don’t have time to take a break,” Felosky said, “not to mention to shop around for the best prices on oil, filters, batteries and other products that keep their business moving. With the MT Advantage Program, we can walk in and save them both time and money. It’s a huge advantage.”

For more information visit www.MonroeTractor.com
or call the Monroe Tractor sales office nearest you:
Henrietta, NY: 585-334-3867; Buffalo, NY: 716-681-7100; or Syracuse, NY: 315-452-0000.

As a former Marine, he went right to work with his father and uncle in the Lancaster, NY construction firm of Draicchio & Caradori Construction. It was one of those situations where a young man enters a going concern and immediately begins to learn the ropes. Jim learned quickly.

In 1967 he became a partner in the company and only a year later the Caradori’s bought out the Draicchio’s and the company became Caradori Construction. Then, in 1981 they sold the company to ABC Construction of West Seneca, NY.

This was a good thing for Jim and with his new found freedom he ventured in a totally different direction. Well, maybe not totally. Because, while he was now able to devote much of his efforts to raising horses and harness racing, two of his passions, he kept a hand in the construction business as well.
Soon he had 36 horses in his Elma, NY stables along with a regulation half-mile track. Caradori horses were stabled at tracks elsewhere as well and competing on some of New York’s finest tracks.

All the while Jim managed to stay current in the construction industry. His 25 years of experience in the industry was valuable and two major area contractors were happy to put that experience to work for them.

“I worked as a consultant,” Jim recalls, “estimating jobs for Depew Development in Depew, NY and for First Rhyme Construction in Cheektowaga, NY.” It was mostly big projects like the noise walls on I-290 and at the Williamsville Toll barrier a little later.

As the relationships with First Rhyme and Depew grew, Jim began doing small projects on his own, subcontracting through both Depew and First Rhyme.

“In 1988,” says Caradori, “my four kids wanted to get into business with me in earnest. That’s when I set up Sicar Management & Construction and we started looking for projects on our own.”

He sold his horses and started bidding jobs again. Soon sons Glen, Stevie and Jim, Jr. along with daughter Joanne joined their dad and the new company was off and running. As it turns out only Jim Jr., has continued with Sicar and today he serves the company in a variety of capacities, as vice president and secretary of the business and in the field as both a project manager and superintendent. “He’s been running jobs since ’97,” says Dad.

The others have gone on to other careers, but still stay close.

The company has been completing major projects for the NYSDOT, City of Rochester, City of Canandaigua, as well as the counties of Erie, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua for many years. Their most recent projects include three current jobs with the City of Salamanca, NY, the DOT highway project in Olean, NY and the Erie County Sewer project in Blasdell, NY that Sicar has been building this summer.

“Since the 80’s,” says Caradori, “I’ve mostly rented the equipment I needed for various projects – backhoes and wheel loaders most often. It seems like you always need something different and working with Sandy Alvarez, Monroe’s rental manager, worked well for many years.”

It wasn’t until 2006 that he bought his first machine, a mini-excavator from Monroe Tractor. Three projects currently being built by Sicar needed some new equipment and Jim decided to purchase a few more pieces from MT, since he has had great success with their rental program over many years.

That decision led to Jim Caradori working with Monroe Tractor’s Buffalo District Manager Jim Rogers. In short order, the two were able to determine the equipment that would serve Sicar best and in this case it was a Doosan DX225LC excavator and a Doosan DL200 wheel loader as well as a Case 450 Tier 111 skid steer.

On the job the excavator proves itself, due in part to increased production and improved fuel economy made possible thanks to electronic optimization of the hydraulic system and the new generation Doosan engine.

Its improved ergonomics increases the operator’s comfort and provides all around visibility, which together ensure a safe and pleasant work environment.

Perhaps as important as anything when buying a new piece of equipment is its anticipated operating costs. Doosan addresses this concern through the use of high performance materials and new methods of structural stress analysis that improve reliability. The resulting reduced maintenance increases the availability of the excavator to Sicar and so reduces overall operating costs.

The excavator’s power, durability, ease of servicing and its precise control increase its effectiveness and life expectancy, too. Doosan added to the equipment’s efficiency when it put the operator at the center of its development goals. The result is significant ergonomic value that improves the efficiency and safety of the operator.

Sicar’s new excavator arrived with a long list of standard equipment including its hydraulic system with boom and arm flow regeneration, boom and arm holding valves, swing anti-rebound valves, spare ports and one-touch power boost.

Inside the cabin its standard features include air conditioning, an adjustable suspension seat, pull-up front window with a removable lower window, LCD color monitor panel, fuel control dial, a joystick lever with 3 switches…to mention only a few items.

Large handrails, punched metal anti-slip plates, seat belt and safety glass are only a few safety considerations that its operators appreciate.

DL 200

Sicar’s new Doosan DL200 wheel loader is powerful with an impressive list of novel features. Right at the top of any list of its features has to be its increased production. This is due to Doosan’s use of a new generation “Common Rail” engine and the excellent synchronization of the drive train with the hydraulics system.

As with the new excavator, the wheel loader sports improved ergonomic features and new computer-assisted structural design techniques have helped improve its reliability. Operators appreciate the newly designed steering system that ensures smooth steering even in the low engine speed ranges.

Short, simple maintenance operations, at long intervals, increase the availability of the equipment on the job site. Coupled with reduced maintenance costs, this adds to the profitability of the user.

For more information visit www.MonroeTractor.com
or call the Monroe Tractor sales office nearest you:
Henrietta, NY: 585-334-3867; Buffalo, NY: 716-681-7100; or Syracuse, NY: 315-452-0000.