You’d think it was a “Spider-Man” premiere the way they were packing ’em in that night. But the capacity crowd at Briggs Equipment’s Charlotte, NC, facility actually revolved around a presentation on lubricants by a veteran expert.

Case distributor Briggs has offered the lube seminars at five of its six North Carolina locations, most recently in Charlotte. The idea is to showcase the company’s inventory of oil-related products and services, including bulk oil, filters and equipment maintenance contracts.

“We invited our top customers because we want them to realize what we carry,” explained John Hanson, product support, sales and marketing manager of Briggs.

Approximately 125 people attended the Charlotte seminar, which included dinner and a presentation.

According to presenter Karl Cline, sales representative of Florida Viscosity Oil Co. – which supplies Briggs and many other companies – all oils are not created equal.

Trained as an engineer, Cline has spent many years educating customers on the variations among oils, whether engine, hydraulic or any other variety.

“Karl’s been in the oil business over 45 years,” Hanson said. “Obviously, he knows more about oil than anybody. He tried to really break it down and show them the difference between the oil you put in your car, and the oil you put in your equipment. They’re definitely not the same.”

In addition to informing customers about its product lines, Briggs wants them to know about the services it offers through maintenance contracts. Briggs has a mobile oil-changing unit available to travel to the customer’s location.

“A lot of our customers have 30 or 40 machines, and one or two guys going around to service each of them. That can get expensive,” Hanson said. “We want to sell them on the idea of letting us do their maintenance for them through maintenance contracts, which can include discounts on items such as filters.”

Hanson said those services are available to owners and operators of all types of equipment.

“Yes, we’re a Case dealer, but we work on any line of equipment now, and we have any type of item – hydraulic and engine oil, additives – anything you’d find at a supplier.”

Briggs Construction Equipment also has offered the informational seminars at its North Carolina locations in Greensboro, Greenville, Raleigh, and Leland (Wilmington). The Asheville facility, currently being remodeled, is expected to host one of the events at a later date.

Hanson said Briggs hopes to offer the lube seminars at its Florida branches in Riviera Beach, Orlando, Ocala, Jacksonville and Fort Myers; and at the Georgia locations including Valdosta, Savannah and Hialeah Gardens.

In the meantime, customers can find informational flyers on oil and related products at Briggs branches, generally at the parts counter.

For more information on those products and services, call Hanson at 336/292-6929 or general parts manager Bob Blevins at 704/596-6850.

For general information on Briggs, visit www.briggsequipment.com.

Today's top stories

Lone Star Constructors Progressing On I-35E in Texas

Volvo Unveils Major Updates With New Series of Excavators

Rugged Terrain Makes Project a Challenge

Equipment East Opens New Location in Auburn. Mass. — 'EE RENTS'

ConExpo-Con/AGG Champions Mental Health With CIASP Donation

Remastered SkyTrak 8042 Telehandler Offers More Features, Capabilities —Without Compromise

ILICA Trap Shoot, Golf Outing Scheduled for June 14 in Lerna/Mattoon

McCann Industries Experiences Significant Growth in Product Support