"Another benefit is the visibility," added Toby. "With the tight-tail-swing machines, you see everything because you can just spin around. You're not going to back into a piece of equipment or a rock box, or worse yet, a person who has just walked up behind you."
Crews use Komatsu excavators on a new development
in northwest Indianola called Lincoln Ridge. The utility crew with the
PC400LC-6 excavator, pictured above, includes (L-R) pipelayer Brad Witt,
top man Cody McKasson, pipelayers Brad Chase and Chad Andrew and foreman/operator
Randy Aldridge, who is operating the PC400 below.
The Vanderpools also acquired a Komatsu D65EX-12 dozer and WA50 wheel loader from RMS. They use the D65 primarily for rough grading, fine grading and ripping, while the WA50 transports material around a jobsite. "Operators like the D65 because of the user-friendly controls and comfort," reported Toby. "And the WA50 is so versatile, it's everybody's favorite machine. Every foreman wants it on his job."
Both Vanderpools also praise RMS and veteran territory manager Bob Newman from the company's Des Moines branch. "RMS and Bob have never tried to hide from anything," said Mike. "When we call, they're always at the other end of the line and when we need help, they get to us quickly. I also trust them. We've done deals over the phone or on a handshake."
"Bob has done an excellent job for us whether we're looking for machines or attachments," affirmed Toby. "He's competitive on price and has always provided us with good information and advice."
"Best in the Midwest"
After commenting that Vanderpool Construction has "dug a hole in every street in Indianola," Mike indicated the company has no intention of standing still.
"We've diversified through the years and we've expanded geographically. We probably won't go much farther for work because we like our employees to be able to sleep in their own beds every night and they like it too. It's one of the reasons we've been able to keep so many good people for so long."
Eventually, Mike expects to pass along some of his duties to Toby and other managers, but that's down the road. Both he and Toby are optimistic that the family business will continue to a fourth generation.
"I have four children and I suspect at least one of them will want to be involved," Toby predicted. "In the meantime, we'll continue to look for new opportunities and try to maintain our pattern of slow and steady growth. However, my main goal is to maintain the consistent excellence of our work. We want to be known as the 'Best in the Midwest,' and as long as we keep our customers happy with quality work, we certainly think we're going to be right there with the best."