A recent decision to add another value-packed service to its business has positioned Linder Industrial Machinery to become a major player in the buying and selling of used construction equipment.
Bo Ross, Linder’s used equipment manager.
A recent decision to add another value-packed service to its business has positioned Linder Industrial Machinery to become a major player in the buying and selling of used construction equipment.
In the past, Linder did not actively seek to buy or take older pieces in as trades. Instead, it always preferred to quickly turn over any used equipment it acquired rather than maintain an inventory at any of its many locations.
Now, however, the company is placing a big emphasis on acquiring and selling used machines through its Used Equipment Division, a service that is available at each of its 16 dealerships throughout North and South Carolina and Florida.
“We are trying to build up a quality used equipment inventory so we can provide that extra market opportunity and give our customers another service to help their business succeed,” said Bo Ross, Linder's used equipment manager.
Legendary Service and Support
The reason many construction folks in the Southeast rely so heavily on Linder to help them do their jobs effectively is the company's legendary commitment to service and support.
Not only can Linder's customers buy or rent the best performing equipment, but they also can access service that is recognized as one of the most convenient and hassle-free in the country.
The addition of a dedicated used equipment division, with well-trained personnel offering a large inventory of products, will only elevate Linder's status with its customers.
Ross believes it also is attracting many new customers, too.
And, he concedes, how Linder is handling trade-ins and used equipment today is more aggressive than in the past.
“Our goal now is to competitively try and acquire this equipment, whether we are taking pieces on trade, buying directly from our customer's or buying from other dealers, we are in the used equipment business to help our clients,” he said.
“In short, we are open to any and all avenues of buying and selling quality used equipment.”
A Carefully Thought Out Operation
Ross added that when Linder obtains what they consider to be a good piece of used equipment, they will do a careful trade-in inspection first and in many cases run that machine through a Linder shop in order to make any repairs or perform service or they may just decide to just sell the piece as is, depending on the customer's needs.
When it comes to maintaining an inventory of quality used equipment, Ross said, the company will not limit itself to just Komatsu, but he is concentrating his efforts on acquiring all makes of late model and low houred units. Ross said, “If we don't have a specific unit in inventory, we will do our best to find the right machine for our customers.”
Ross and his team in Linder's Used Equipment Division are working in concert with the dealer's different branches and personnel to provide them with a first-class inventory at each location.
“Our first goal is always meeting our customers' needs and help support the new deal with acquiring trade-ins at competitive prices,” Ross said. “Our second objective is to source and maintain good quality used equipment so our clients have a choice as an alternative to purchasing new.”
Meeting Komatsu's High Standards
Although Linder sells and services many excellent manufacturer's brands of equipment, the dealer is well known for its long-time association with Komatsu.
With regard to used Komatsu equipment that Linder owns, certain qualified machines are run through the manufacturer's Remarketing Certified program. If these machines meet certain criteria, they are then put through a rigorous inspection checkpoint protocol in Linder's service department and become a “Komatsu Remarketing Certified” machine.
“From there we can categorize them as an 'A', 'B' or 'C' certified machines that may qualify for an extended warranty or special financing rates offered through Komatsu Financial,” Ross said. “It gives our customer's confidence and more options knowing they are purchasing a good piece of used equipment.”
Making an Impact on the Market
Among the key people that Ross has working with him in Linder's used equipment division are Beverly Herndon, who works with the various company personnel in all 16 locations to gather as much information as possible on each piece of used machinery, including the compilation of photos and inspections for advertising and ensures the transactions go through smoothly; and Mark Donnelly, who is responsible for international sales, as well as used sales in south Florida.
“All our sales personnel in all three states offer our used machines for sale, we are just one part of the entire Linder team striving to make it easier for our customers to do business with us — and we certainly do appreciate the business,” Ross said.
“Our company President, John Coughlin, wants to take our company to the next level of sales and service for our customers and we really believe this is an area where we can have a strong impact and provide options for meeting our clients' used equipment needs.”
For more information, visit www.linderco.com
Eric Olson
A writer and contributing editor for CEG since 2008, Eric Olson has worked in the business for more than 40 years.
Olson grew up in the small town of Lenoir, NC in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, where he began covering sports for the local newspaper at age 18. He continued to do that for several other dailies in the area while in college at Appalachian State University. Following his graduation, he moved on to gain experience at two other publications before becoming a real estate and special features writer and editor at the Winston-Salem Journal for 10 years. Since 1999 he has worked as a corporate media liaison and freelance writer, in addition to his time at CEG.
He and his wife, Tara, have been married for 33 years and are the parents of two grown and successful daughters. His hobbies include collecting history books, watching his beloved Green Bay Packers and caring for his three dogs and one cat.
Read more from Eric Olson here.
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