KeySpan Energy/Boston Gas recently awarded Schmidt Equipment Inc. the bid for 11 new John Deere 310G loader backhoes.

KeySpan is the largest distributor of natural gas in the northeast and the fourth largest gas distribution company in the United States, operating more than 21,000 mi. (33,796 km) of gas main in its service territory.

Schmidt Equipment’s Outside Sales Representative Dale Ouwinga teamed up with Barry Larson, of John Deere Corporate Business Development Group, to work on the proposal from specifications to delivery. According to Larson, all major manufacturers were in the hunt. But, Larson attributed the final decision to purchase John Deere equipment was due to the dealer’s ability to deliver after market services from its five Massachusetts locations.

Schmidt Equipment Inc. has been in business for 47 years and serves both large and small contractors. In addition to John Deere, Schmidt Equipment offers Hitachi excavators, Indeco hydraulic hammers and Sakai compaction equipment.