Hundreds of contractors and their families attended Bobcat of Rhode Island’s Customer Appreciation Day April 6 in Warwick, R.I.

Stuart Graham owns the only exclusive Bobcat store in R.I. along with the three existing stores in Hartford and Stratford, Conn., in addition to West Springfield, Mass. His newest 10,000-sq.-ft. location officially opened in September 2012, but his group wanted to greet customers in early spring with a day of raffles, demonstrations, food, sales, music and more.

The afternoon event included a free raffle of a Stihl Blower, an RC Bobcat, a $50 gift card, and a customized Bobcat hoodie. Dozens of T-shirts and other gifts were handed out. The event was fully catered with hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches, salads, brownies, beverages, and more by Lemon & Oil, a popular Seekonk, Mass., deli caterer.

Stihl Timbersports was on hand to provide hot saw, overhand chop, and springboard demonstrations. Outside the shop, guests enjoyed an excavator operator challenge and representatives of Honda and the other manufacturers each had their own booth.

Outside the garage behind the new showroom, parts and service representatives Mark Haverly, James Brown, Dave Methe and Perry DeYoung directed contractors to operate a full-sized Bobcat skid loader by remote control.

Graham said the event is representative of every day at the new Bobcat. “I want our customers to realize that our focus is on customer service,” he said. “We strive every day to provide the highest level of customer service possible. We are very easy to get to from South County, we are right down the road from Providence; you can access us easily from all over the state. We are in the heartbeat of Rhode Island, right here.

“Our Rhode Island Branch greatly benefits from being part of a larger enterprise, all four locations share parts and new and used inventory, having these resources readily available allows us to provide an increased level of customer service,” he said.

“I can see them from the highway, off Route 37, as I was driving down,” said Mark Rufo of Bristol, R.I. “I didn’t know they were here, but I do now. This is a great place to stop.”

Bobcat also sells and services a full line of Stihl, Honda, MBW, Towmaster, Buffalo Turbine, US Mower, and other products.

Bobcat of Rhode Island is located at 421 Lincoln Ave., Warwick, Jefferson Blvd. exit of Interstate 95, just off Route 37.

For more information, call 401/921-4300, or visit www.bobcatct.com.

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