Stafford Tractor of the Carolinas has only been in existence since April 1, but it has already gone through its first expansion.

The division of Stafford Development, a 55-year-old business based in Tifton, GA, opened up shop at 9831 Brookford St. in Charlotte, NC, and, just three months later, finalized its acquisition of Atlantic Coast Cranes in Ashland, VA.

Both companies are led by President John Wall, who is based in Charlotte.

The 10,000-sq.-ft. facility, which was most recently Moody Machinery, carries Terex and American cranes and Link-Belt excavators. Its 15 employees, eight of whom are housed in the shop, all worked together for the company’s previous owner.

Wall said many of them have worked together for 20 or 25 years, even as the name on its storefront changed.

The location boasts a seven-bay shop and a parts warehouse on the 3.5-acre parcel of land just off Westinghouse Boulevard.

Stafford spent approximately $100,000 to upgrade the facility, Wall said.

DeNean Stafford III, chairman of the board of Stafford Development, has wanted to extend into the Carolinas for years, he added.

“We have been researching the Carolina market for a number of years and feel fortunate that this opportunity came along. As with any business, getting the best people available is the key to success,” Stafford said. “John has assembled a team that has successfully worked together for many years. We feel confident that we can offer quality products and the best customer service available in the marketplace.”

In addition to the equipment business, Stafford Development also is involved in the real estate, hospitality and food industries.

Stafford grew again in July with the acquisition of Atlantic Coast Cranes, now called Stafford Atlantic Machinery.

The 16,000-sq.-ft. facility offers Virginia, parts of West Virginia, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Delaware and southern Pennsylvania access to Terex cranes.

“They are the No. 1 Terex crane dealer in North America,” Wall said.

The company’s inventory already included numerous new and used cranes, but Stafford plans to expand it even more and will soon take on a line of dirt-moving equipment and enter the rental market.

Atlantic Coast Cranes was founded in 1991. Its owner and president, Wally Jones, will stay on as the new vice president and sales manager. Dennis Samuel also will stay on the team as vice president of administration.

Wall said the company will add on to its 19 employees very soon. The current staff is composed of nine service technicians and 10 people in sales and sales support.

Stafford is continually on the lookout for opportunities to expand, especially with the success of the past few months.

Wall said the moves have been made easier by “hiring people who have numerous years of experience in the industry. It’s refreshing to hire people who know the business from day one and can start selling right away. Plus, maintaining the staff at these locations will maintain customers. Customers want to deal with honest and professional companies who can service all of their needs.”

For more information, call 800/687-1672 or visit staffordtractorcarolina.com. CEG Staff

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