New Dean Machinery Co. Facility is Clear Indicator of Past Success, Future Growth
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KC-Area Caterpillar Dealer Employs Unique Market Strategy to Grow Business
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (October 28, 2008)-With a brand new, 25-acre headquarters campus and a unique market strategy that sets it apart from other equipment dealers, the future's looking bright for Dean Machinery Co. The longtime Caterpillar® dealer's new state-of-the-art facility at 87th Street and I-435, which just opened its doors this month, is a clear testament to the company's dedication to the industries it serves, its customers and the Kansas City community.
Dean Machinery Co. has been an active member of the Kansas City community since 1955, when visionary entrepreneur and founder Lester Dean, Sr. purchased the local Caterpillar distributorship, Hobson Equipment Company, and renamed it Dean Machinery Co. At the time, he was the youngest dealer on Caterpillar's roster. Dean started a number of companies in the Kansas City area over the years, but his Cat equipment business-providing sales, rental, parts and service to diverse business segments-always was a focal point. Today, Dean's daughter and company president Lori Dean oversees more than 320 employees at Dean Machinery's 11 regional locations serving 45 counties in eastern Kansas and western Missouri.
"Dean Machinery Co. has enjoyed considerable success through the years. Our new headquarters certainly indicates we're still expanding to meet the growing demands of our customers," Dean said.
After joining Dean Machinery in 1985, Dean worked in various positions of increasing responsibility before being promoted to president in 2005. She helped pioneer the company's unique market strategy of establishing specialists who work exclusively with customers within the many business segments the dealership serves, including the construction, agricultural, power systems and transportation markets. These specialists provide personalized service and informed support that has proven to be a valued benefit to its customer base.
"A bridge-building contractor is going to have vastly different equipment and support needs than a truck fleet manager or a row-crop farmer," Dean said. "We have staff in place with an in-depth knowledge of the industries we serve, ensuring the solutions we provide are an appropriate fit for each customer's business requirements."
The new facility is perfectly suited for Dean Machinery Co.'s ever-evolving customer base. Two major buildings with more than 180,000 square feet of space-three times that of the old facility-provide room for specialized services with an increased number of service bays that can accommodate up to 25 medium-sized machines at once for more rapid turn-around of customer repairs. The facility also has plenty of space for increased parts and component stocking to better fill customer parts needs. And with ten additional acres allowing room to expand, the new campus is an ideal environment to support Dean Machinery's continued growth, according to Dean.
While the new headquarters demonstrates a continued long-term commitment to the Kansas City community, Dean Machinery Co. also has earned its standing in the area as a good corporate citizen. A total donation of $150,000 has been made to the company's main charity, Operation Breakthrough, over the years. In 2007 alone, Dean Machinery employees gave many hours of their time and more than $41,000 to area charities, including the American Royal and Heart to Heart International. Other activities included blood drives for the Community Blood Center, a company softball tournament, with proceeds benefiting the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and packages sent to military personnel serving in Afghanistan.
"Our new facility and the commitment we've made to give back to our community clearly supports and communicates our intention to be a dynamic and contributing force in Kansas City and the surrounding region for many years to come," Dean said. "This city has been good to us, and we're excited to continue growing here."
About Dean Machinery Co.
Founded by visionary businessman Lester M. Dean, Sr. in 1955, Dean Machinery Co. provides complete Caterpillar equipment solutions-including sales of new equipment, rental equipment, parts and service-to the construction, agriculture, power systems and transportation markets. The company, which is part of Dean Operations family of companies, is headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., and serves customers in 45 counties in eastern Kansas and western Missouri. For more, call 816-753-5300 or visit www.deancat.com.
Contact:
Joyce DeLay
Weyforth-Haas Marketing
913-901-2123
delayj@whmdelivers.com
