When opportunity knocks, it is important to open the door. Opportunity knocked on May Heavy-Equip’s door in November 2008, when the company saw an opportunity to open a new branch in Florida.
The expansion came about because May acquired two new employees that had strong relationships with customers in Florida. David Moore, the company’s new Florida salesman and Tom Ferguson, the company’s new Florida general manager came from United Rentals with a combined total of more than 20 years of experience in heavy equipment sales and rentals. Their customer-oriented service philosophy had allowed them to build strong relationships with customers over the years.
“They match our model of what it takes to be successful, which is that service comes first,” explained Jim Bingham, chief executive officer of May Heavy-Equip Rental and Sales. “When we rent or sell a machine, our customers depend that it’s the highest quality and that if there is a breakdown, we will respond as quickly as possible. They [Moore and Ferguson] have the perspective that if there’s ever a downtime situation, the customer has to be made happy. With that perspective, they have solid relationships.”
Moore and Ferguson bring those solid relationships to May Heavy-Equip.
“We’ve got quality equipment and they have great relationships with customers,” explained Jacob May, owner of May Heavy-Equip, “so it was a good opportunity for everyone.”
The new branch is located just outside of Fort Lauderdale in Pembrook Pines, Fla.
The expansion also allows May Heavy-Equip to accommodate its old customers in a new area.
“A lot of our customers that do business in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia are also working in Florida,” May explained, “They know we provide great equipment and service, so when they go to other states to do jobs, they will have the opportunity to use us wherever they travel.”
The expansion gives May Heavy-Equip positive, creative things to focus on.
“This is trying to look ahead,” said Bingham. “Not just where are we now, but where are we going to be in five years? Florida is a great construction state, one of the strongest, and there are great customers in Florida. May Heavy-Equip will be there. We’ll have established operations.”
But there’s another advantage to working in southern Florida — the weather.
“With the southern Florida market, we can rent machines year round,” said May.
May Heavy-Equip currently services Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and parts of Georgia. It also is looking at adding a facility in Georgia, further expanding the company.
“Florida’s not going to be our only stop,” said May. “We’re exploring other venues.” But he added that, “We’re doing it for the right reasons. We’re not just trying to grow. We’re trying to be smart with what we do, to find places where we can fill a void.”
Florida also is a good location for expanding the company’s export sales program.
“We sell equipment all over the world and many exporters are based in the Miami area, so this will help to expand that program even further,” said Bingham.
May Heavy-Equip also takes pride in offering a variety of equipment.
“We carry low-hour, late-model Volvo trucks, Cat bulldozers, Komatsu excavators — many types of equipment from many manufacturers.”
The equipment all has one thing in common though — it’s large.
“We rent earthmoving equipment and much of the larger model types, particularly sought after in the grading business,” said Bingham. “The equipment is used for grading, environmental remediation, roadwork, utility work, golf course design, etcetera.”
With its new branch and positive outlook, May Heavy-Equip believes it has a bright future in the sunshine state.
“In my opinion, frankly, we have the best products and the best service and, when that’s the case, we can’t lose.”
(This story also can be found on Construction Equipment Guide’s Web site at www.constructionequipmentguide.com.) CEG
Today's top stories
