Pennsylvania Excavator is a One-Man, and One-Brand, Show

Eric Imgrund had always been fascinated by machinery and construction — especially Bobcat® equipment. In 1994, after five years working for a Pennsylvania excavation company, he turned that passion into his life’s work when he founded Eric Imgrund Mini Excavating. 

“Starting my own business was always in the back of my head and I decided to try it,” says Eric. 

From the beginning, Eric knew he wanted to keep his company small and personal. And nearly 30 years later, he’s stayed true to that idea. He’s a sole proprietor who does all the work himself. With a successful operation built on word-of-mouth referrals, he has no need for support staff. In an era where “social” often means online interactions, Eric enjoys working with his customers face-to-face. You can call it old fashioned, but it’s worked wonders for his business. 

“Most of my customers know what they’re going to get when the call me to do the work,” says Eric, who has no plans to expand or grow the company beyond its current level.

One Man, One Brand 

Over the years, Eric has accumulated a fleet of Bobcat machines, including a 1987 440B skid steer loader that he still has to this day. He values the reliability and service of Bobcat equipment and has always stuck with them, even as other brands have come and gone. “The E35 compact excavator is nice for getting into customers’ backyards where they have fences,” says Eric. He appreciates the comfort and visibility of newer models, such as the T870 compact track loader, and he uses different machines for different jobs depending on their features and capabilities. A Bobcat Toolcat™ utility work machine and mower round out his line-up. 

Eric’s typical work week includes four or five projects at once, usually involving septic systems, swimming pools, garages and demolitions. Despite being a one-man operation, he handles all of these projects with the help of his Bobcat machines and his careful planning and organization. 

In the end, Bobcat machines are an integral part of Eric's business. “All of my customers know about Bobcat and I think that makes a difference,” says Eric. They’re reliable and well-supported by the dealership, which help him take on a variety of projects with confidence. Eric has no plans to change his approach or expand his business, but he’s grateful for the success he’s achieved so far and is always looking forward to the next project.