In Lehigh Valley, contractors such as emi landscape and Kasel Rocks invest in Case equipment from Powerco for snow removal operations. The partnership ensures efficient service and highlights the importance of strong dealer-client relationships in managing winter's challenges.
emi landscape photo
emi landscape’s inventory of Case Equipment with Metal Pless snow pushers.
In the Northeast, snow and ice removal is big business and to capitalize on managing winter's wrath, two contractors in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley recently made significant investments to their equipment fleets.
Based in Macungie, Pa., emi landscape has evolved over 42 years from its humble beginnings as a residential mowing service into a major company specializing in commercial landscape maintenance and snow removal for industrial facilities. Under the stewardship of Bob Marks — a second-generation owner — the company now serves approximately 150 properties and maintains 30 million sq. ft. of pavement across eastern Pennsylvania.
"We're really good at maintenance and enhancements on industrial properties, whether that's tree work or redesigning bed or drainage work, but the logistic centers and distribution centers — that's what we do well," Marks said. "Our relationship with heavy equipment on the snow removal side is critical. With our mix of equipment reaching up to 55 pieces, the partnership with Powerco has been integral to our success."
The company's significant investment in Case equipment from Powerco, a Case dealer based in Allentown, Pa., includes a recent purchase of one TR270B compact track loader; seven SV280 skid steers; 15 321F compact loaders; and five 621F compact wheel loaders.
"We checked out all of the machines before making the purchase," he said. "We purchased one 321 three years ago because we wanted to run a hydraulically driven snowblower. It worked out great for us and our mechanic's background is also with Case equipment, and the fact that we were a Case customer in the past was helpful, too.
"We also go to the Snow and Ice Management Association Symposium every year," he added. "They have a good trade show, big manufacturers. I've been looking at the equipment every year, even though for a long time I wasn't the main purchaser when I didn't own the business. I'd stop by the Case booth every year to see what was new. Case fit the niche of exactly what we're looking for. In the market, you have the less expensive manufacturers all the way up to the most expensive manufacturers. Case fell right in between for price. We already knew the service was great."
The company also purchased Metal Pless hydraulic wing plows for the front of its loaders.
"With the 321F wheel loaders, we were actually able to connect right into the harness up front," Marks said. "We were able to take their stock skid steer harness, change one wire and just plug right in. For the 621G wheel loaders, we actually have to run a harness from the plow up into the machine. So, we grab fuse power, and then we can run off the secondary hydraulic function on the joystick, but we still need electronic control that we would add into the cab."
Marks said he also appreciates Case SiteWatch, which comes standard on most new Case equipment.
"The way it works is that if a machine sets a code or is due for maintenance, the dealer (Powerco) knows the second we know that something is wrong," he said. "When Powerco sees the code, they aren't calling me to say, ‘hey, would you like us to come out.' Instead, they message me saying, ‘hey, we know your machine's down, and were headed over."
Marks said his loyalty to Case is further reinforced by Powerco's prompt and knowledgeable service, especially in emergency situations where every minute counts.
"We have been with Powerco since prior to 2009," he said. "When I came back to the company in 2009, we were running case skids and some older machines from Case at the time, and they were the dealer we were working with then. This was our first year fully back in, and I think what makes it work so well is they understand that with the snow removal we do, we consider it an emergency service. If we fail, people get hurt. Secondly, it costs people a lot of money. Some of our clients stay open 24-7. So, if we fail, it's dangerous, and it's costing our clients a lot of money. We take snow seriously."
Kasel Rocks Landscape Company, founded in Allentown, Pa., in 2004, is another contractor that recently added multiple pieces of Case equipment to its fleet.
The company has morphed from its origins in design-build rock scaping into a leader in commercial facility management. The company, under the guidance of owner Scott Lesak, now offers an extensive range of services including landscaping maintenance, snow and ice management, exterior upgrades and ornamental care. This evolution has been driven by the realization that building long-term relationships is as crucial as the quality of equipment.
"We've been into snow removal for 15 years," Lesak said. "We used to be a design-built-focused company, and we got into snow to keep our skid loaders and trucks busy in the winter. Around 2018-2019, we realized we were doing as good work as the people we were subcontracting with and decided to start going after our own contracts. From 2019 until now, we explosively grew our snow division. We service the eastern half of Pennsylvania; we manage roughly 15 million square feet of pavement."
In its recent purchasing cycle with Powerco, Kasel Rocks acquired 16 pieces of Case equipment consisting of six 621 wheel loaders; five 321 wheel loaders; and five SV280 skid steers, complemented with Metal Pless wing plows to enhance operational efficiency.
Lesak reinforced the importance of the relationship.
"We bought our first skid loader from Powerco in 2010 and our relationship with Powerco has been about 14 years and it has really been ramping up in the last two years," he said.
"We buy relationships over products," he added. "The product obviously must have a certain level of performance, and then from there it's really all about relationships. Between Powerco and their sales rep, Nathan Bryant, the entire purchase experience was the most seamless I have had in my career."
At the heart of Powerco's relationship-driven approach is Nathan Bryant, sales representative of the Lehigh and Northampton counties. With his background in snow removal and landscaping, Bryant brings invaluable hands-on industry experience to his role that resonates with clients like emi landscape and Kasel Rocks.
"The decision to purchase from Powerco came down to the dealership/customer relationship that developed over the years, as well as the overall customer support from Powerco, which has been phenomenal," said Marks of emi landscape. "When you see everyone in the chain of command — right from the local team up to the vice president — engaging with you, it really makes a difference. That kind of interest in your purchase experience sets Powerco apart."
Bryant's proactive approach shines through in every customer interaction — from revisiting delayed orders to ensuring smooth equipment integration. For instance, after a seasonal delay in the summer of 2023, he re-engaged with Kasel Rocks the following year, leading to a significant order that included:
• six Case 621G wheel loaders, bundled with a three-year, 2,000-hour planned maintenance package and an extended Purchase Protection Plan (PPP) to enhance long-term value;
• five 321F wheel loaders;
• five SV280B skid steers; and
• financing arrangements that facilitated the inclusion of Metal Pless wing plows, further optimizing client operations.
Powerco believes its continued success is fueled by a philosophy that sees every customer interaction as "an opportunity to build long-term, trust-based relationships," said Bryant.
Rather than merely facilitating equipment transactions, the dealership "invests in understanding each client's unique needs and challenges."
This successful approach earned Powerco multiple Case Power Tan awards for having achieved the largest sales growth of wheel loaders in 2024 across the entire dealer network.
For more than three decades, Powerco, with locations in Allentown and Bethlehem, Pa., and Clinton, N.J., has been a full-service dealer representing Case, Kubota, Mecalac, Avant, Land Pride, Husqvarna, Wacker Neuson, Paquea and Towmaster trailers. The company's offerings span new equipment sales, parts, rentals and full-service aftersales support.
For more information, visit www.powercoinc.com/ CEG
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