Vermeer Texas-Louisiana welcomed customers to its Kilgore, Texas, location on Sept. 25 for a customer appreciation event that also recognized longtime Branch Manager Brian Van Arman as he prepared for retirement.
Customers gathered at the branch for a Tex-Mex lunch, visited with Vermeer Texas-Louisiana employees and viewed equipment on display. The event was held at the company's facility at 707 Access Road.
For Van Arman, the event came shortly after reaching a significant milestone. He marked 20 years with Vermeer Texas-Louisiana on Sept. 1, spending his career with the company in Kilgore.
Van Arman initially joined the branch as sales manager before becoming branch manager approximately two years later. Since then, he has overseen the store's operations.
During that time, Van Arman watched the equipment needs of customers throughout East Texas develop and change.
He said directional drilling remains an important part of the Kilgore branch's business, ranging from smaller drills to larger machines used for pipeline work.
“The directional drilling itself has been our bread and butter over here,” Van Arman said.
Forestry also represents an important market.
Van Arman said the Kilgore location has developed business with Vermeer loaders and compact equipment, with machines commonly paired with attachments such as grapples and mulching and shredding attachments for forestry applications.
While equipment and customer needs have evolved during his time, Van Arman pointed to customer service as an important part of the operation.
“What's made us successful in Kilgore has been the level of customer service that we provide,” he said.
As his time with Vermeer Texas-Louisiana ends, Van Arman said he hopes his approach continues after his retirement.
“I want people to think that I was fair, and we had good business practices,” he said. “And I hope to leave that behind.”
