Volvo Construction Equipment & Services (VCES) in Seattle, listens to its customers. So when customers requested that the branch carry a line of compact motorgraders, the company took action — signing on as the authorized dealer for Champion Motor Graders in Western Washington in September 2008.

In business since 2002, the Seattle and 16 other VCES locations were purchased by Volvo Construction Equipment in 2007 and are all company-owned branches.

“Our decision to carry the Champion motorgrader line is definitely a response to our customers’ requests that we carry them,” said Brian Burke, vice president and branch manager of VCES Seattle and Spokane. “We’re excited about carrying the Champion line and we feel that it will be a good fit for our road machinery business.”

In addition to its new line of mini Champion motorgraders, VCES Seattle also carries the Volvo road machinery line which includes asphalt pavers, asphalt and dirt compaction, and Volvo’s compact equipment line. Other lines include Ingersoll Rand, Etnyre and Mauldin paving products. The store has a sales and service force dedicated to all of its product lines.

Staying Focused

According to Burke, VCES Seattle specializes in paving and road building.

“Our primary focus has traditionally been on the road machinery side with Volvo/Blaw-Knox pavers and rollers,” Burke said. “We focus on specific markets — we don’t try to be everything to everybody. It’s our major competitive strength.”

Burke said he believes that both large and small paving and parking lot contractors and local municipalities will be important prospects for the Seattle location’s new Champion line of motorgraders.

These sectors are some of the largest users of compact graders in the Western Washington area, he said.

“The compact Champion graders are a perfect complement to our existing line of paving and compaction equipment,” Burke explained. “Today, we can now offer both contractors and municipalities one-stop shopping for all of their road maintenance requirements.

“Customer interest in Champion has been extremely high. We presently have a Champion C80 C on order and something tells me it will be the first of many to follow.”

Woody Ferrell, vice president of sales & marketing for Champion Motor Graders, welcomed Volvo Construction Equipment & Services Seattle to the Champion team.

“In becoming an authorized Champion dealer, Brian Burke and VCES Seattle have demonstrated their commitment to meeting customer needs. They have also come onboard during an exciting time for the company as we get ready to introduce our new C110 C and C116 C Series production class graders,” said Ferrell. “We are excited about adding another first class organization to our growing list of dealers across the country.”

Champion Motor Graders has specialized in the development of motor graders and attachments for more than 25 years.

For more information on Champion Motor Graders, call 704/392-1038 or visit www.championmotorgraders.us.

For Champion Sales and Service in the Western Washington area, call 206/763-9300.

Today's top stories

Construction Market Boosts Economy

Bobcat Company Donates $885,000 in Equipment to Support Salvation Army's Disaster Relief Efforts

VIDEO: KEMROC Expands; Plans to Increase Nationwide Presence

'Machinery Pete' Interviews Jack Lyon On RFD TV

VIDEO: Two Major Roadway Project Contracts Awarded by State Officials in West Virginia

VIDEO: First of Two Sections of NYC's $1.45B East Side Coastal Resiliency Project Is Complete

John Deere Construction Introduces Flexible Customer Training Options

INFRA Grant Moves Ohio's N. Coast Connector Project Steps Closer