Oregon Contractor Doubles Sales Revenue

Morgan Steiner says his Bobcat HB1180 hydraulic breaker easily broke through 13-inch walls during a demolition project.

“We’re using the drop hammer attachment How many times have you heard someone ask, “What are you going to do with that small machine”? It can be a common misconception of contractors who own large iron. Bobcat customers know better. Like Morgan Steiner of Klamath Falls, Ore., who learned firsthand how compact equipment can dramatically grow a company’s sales revenue.

Prior to owning Bobcat® equipment, Steiner’s small, family owned business in southeast Oregon specialized in concrete sawing and coring. He was a successful businessman, but when it came time to grow his revenue, he needed to find other opportunities. That’s when a friend persuaded Steiner to purchase Bobcat equipment and get started in concrete demolition.

“Living in a small town, there was a limited amount of concrete cutting work, and in order to double our numbers, the natural way to go was demolition,” Steiner says. He immediately found success in the demolition business, thanks in part to Bobcat tool carriers and attachments. “Our demolition numbers are actually over half of the business today. It better than doubled my revenue.”

Steiner took some ribbing from his colleagues in the concrete cutting industry who thought he was wasting his time with compact equipment. “Everyone else was using big iron, big trucks, giant excavators, and they all laughed at me,” Steiner says. “They giggled and asked, ’What are you going to do with that?’” Today those individuals aren’t laughing. In fact, Steiner says he sees more and more compact equipment in Klamath Falls. “I’ve noticed a lot of people buying compact equipment,” he says. “They’re taking a second look at this equipment now. They’re not laughing like they were 10 years ago. They see too much work happening too quickly with small machines.”

Today, Steiner owns a Bobcat 435 Zero House Swing (ZHS) compact excavator, a 316 compact excavator, an 863 skid-steer loader and numerous attachments, including the new 1180 hydraulic breaker, all purchased from Bobcat West. When it came time to purchase a new hydraulic breaker, Steiner says he was glad he chose the Bobcat brand. “Bobcat sells the bracketing to move the breaker from the 435 to the 863 in five minutes,” he says. “We can reach as far as 14 or 15 feet with the excavator and breaker, then easily switch [the breaker] to the loader and do flatwork.”

Contractors like Steiner prove that opportunities to grow a business exist, but owners have to be willing to take a chance. Bobcat dealerships offer an excellent opportunity to rent equipment and test the waters before investing too much.

Bobcat manufactures the widest range of compact equipment today, including more than 80 unique attachments with hundreds of models to choose from. Visit www.bobcat.com/attachments to read more.