Hundreds of customers and guests turned out for the grand opening celebration of Dobbs Equipment's Spartanburg, S.C., branch on May 13, 2026. The new facility located at 157 Vintage Dr. in Spartanburg, S.C., has a domineering presence on the adjacent I-85 corridor.
A BBQ lunch was served, and raffle prizes were seemingly endless. A grand prize drawing from a QR code at the event was presented after the event for a trip to the John Deere factory.
In addition to factory representatives from all manufacturers, Dobbs Equipment technology specialists held demonstrations and training on SmartGrade systems and technology functionality on motor grader and dozer and John Deere grade control laser system for compact track loaders offering a comprehensive technology experience for maximizing earthmoving precision and efficiency.
Dobbs Equipment is the exclusive John Deere and Wirtgen Group distributor in South Carolina with seven branches as well as Georgia, Florida and Alabama with a total of 30 locations. The Spartanburg facility, located along Interstate 85 near BMW's manufacturing plant, serves the fast-growing Upstate region, Chris Wilkes, South Carolina president of Dobbs Equipment, told Construction Equipment Guide.
The company selected Spartanburg to complement its existing Simpsonville branch and improve coverage along the I-85 corridor.
"That's why we are keeping our Simpsonville store; in fact, we bought the 3.5 acres next door to it," Wilkes said, noting the site focuses on compact construction equipment, used machines and remanufacturing while maintaining full rental and service capabilities.
He added the Spartanburg site also benefits from its location near John Deere manufacturing and parts hubs.
"The size of the property that we were able to purchase allows us to create a training center with simulators," Wilkes said. "It can accommodate up to 100 people, let us train equipment operators, as well as our own people, and bring in customer personnel to learn service and daily maintenance."
The Spartanburg branch includes six drive-through service bays capable of handling up to 12 machines, along with a climate-controlled rebuild center, track shop and enclosed wash bay. The training component plays a key role in the company's long-term strategy.
"Overall, it really complements John Deere's future in how they are looking to not only sell high-quality equipment but have a full product offering with preventive maintenance service contracts and operator training," Wilkes said.
Across its seven South Carolina locations, Dobbs operates approximately 108 service and preventive maintenance trucks to support customers statewide.
Dobbs entered South Carolina in 2022 through the acquisition of Flint Equipment's construction and forestry dealerships and commits more than $45 million to expand and upgrade facilities across the state. Additional improvements continue in Aynor, Walterboro and West Columbia, with a future location planned in Florence.
Wilkes said the company's approach centers on investing ahead of demand.
"Most everyone in this business has the mentality of, ‘Hey, once we get their business, then we will build and reinvest,' whereas Dobbs does it in a completely different manner by spending upfront," he said. "We must be able to support the customers now — not later — and that has led Dobbs to make these investments."
For more information, visit dobbsequipment.com. CEG
