For curb-and-gutter, GOMACO is No. 1 for a reason

For curb-and-gutter, GOMACO
is No. 1 for a reason
See article inside ...
www.tste.com
SERVING YOU
FROM FIVE
LOCATIONS
MONTANA
Tri-State Truck &
Equipment, Inc. Team
CORPORATE
Tom Zimmer, President
Rick Benjamin, Controller/IT Manager
BILLINGS
P. O. Box 1298
5250 Midland Road
Phone: (406) 245-3188
FAX: (406) 238-1501
BILLINGS & BOZEMAN
Dave Mills, Branch Manager
Mike Weidler, Parts Manager
5024 Tri-Hil Frontage Road
Phone: (406) 452-9551
FAX: (406) 452-9831
Marc Seitz, Service Manager
Clarke Coulter, Highway Truck Sales Manager
Larry Bautista, Highway Truck Sales
GREAT FALLS
BOZEMAN
Dennis Morelock, Equipment Sales
200 Floss Flat Road, Unit #1
Belgrade, MT
Phone: (406) 388-5815
FAX: (406) 388-5817
Tom Hunt, Equipment Sales
Tim Blattie, Parts & Service Sales
GLENDIVE
47 Highway 16
Phone: (406) 377-3188
FAX: (406) 377-3100
Ron Catellier, Branch Manager
Todd Catellier, Parts Manager
Mike Johnson, Service Manager
Scott Hinchey, Equipment Sales
Neal Branon, Equipment Sales
Tom LaFountain, Highway Truck Sales
WYOMING
CASPER
P. O. Box 340
1271 North Derrick Drive
Phone: (307) 472-1818
FAX: (307) 472-3272
CASPER
GREAT FALLS
Printed in U.S.A.
© 2013
Scott Watson, Branch Manager & Sales
TRI-STATE TRUCK & EQUIPMENT, INC.
A LETTER TO OUR CUSTOMERS
2013 could be the start
of a real recovery
Dear Valued Customer:
The start of a new construction season is a great time to evaluate where we’ve
been, where we are and where we’re going. In regard to business, it’s also a good
time to examine how we can do better.
Tom Zimmer
There’s no question, the past four or five years have been challenging ones for
the construction industry, but leading forecasting firms predict that 2013 could be
the start of a real recovery. After examining construction spending late in 2012,
the chief economist for the Associated General Contractors summed it up by
saying, “Construction has finally come out of its long slump.”
Things are especially bright in the mountain region, of which Wyoming and
Montana are a part. One leading forecasting firm predicts construction spending
growth of 17 percent in the region in 2013 — the highest growth rate in the nation.
At Tri-State Truck & Equipment, we’re cautiously optimistic about the immediate
future and, long term, we’re very confident that the construction economy will
continue to grow. We’re gearing up to ensure we have the equipment and parts
inventory you’ll need in the new year. We’ll also continue to expand our technician
work force to allow us to handle your service needs and expectations.
Our commitment is to provide the best machines and highest level of support
to keep you, our customer, up and running. We know our success is linked
directly to yours, so we’re going to do all we can to help you be as profitable as
possible. As your work load increases in 2013 and beyond, we hope you’ll keep
Tri-State in mind and give us an opportunity to earn your business.
Finally, I, and all of us at Tri-State, would like to thank DeWitt for his 30 years
of passion and commitment to Tri-State and its customers. DeWitt, you will
be missed by us, as well as by the many people with whom you have worked
throughout the construction industry. All the best to you.
Sincerely,
Tom Zimmer,
President
Owner
ARTICLES
IN THIS ISSUE­
Paving News
Learn why GOMACO
equipment dominates curband-gutter work and offers
unrivaled versatility.
Branching Out
Explore Tri-State’s growing
Glendive, Mont., facility and
learn what it’s doing to meet
customer needs.
A New Chapter
Help Tri-State wish DeWitt
Boyd the best on his retirement, and find out what
his plans are.
The People Inside
Meet Tri-State’s Senior Field
Service Technician Jett Knoll,
who travels widely to support
customers.
www.tste.com
BILLINGS, MT
P. O. Box 1298
5250 Midland Road
Phone: (406) 245-3188
FAX: (406) 238-1501
BOZEMAN, MT
200 Floss Flat Road, Unit #1
Phone: (406) 388-5815
FAX: (406) 388-5817
CASPER, WY
P. O. Box 340
1271 North Derrick Drive
Phone: (307) 472-1818
FAX: (307) 472-3272
GREAT FALLS, MT
5024 Tri-Hil Frontage Rd.
Phone: (406) 452-9551
FAX: (406) 452-9831
GLENDIVE, MT
47 Highway 16
Phone: (406) 377-3188
FAX: (406) 377-3100
TRI-STATE TRUCK & EQUIPMENT, INC.
PAVING NEWS
For curb-and-gutter, GOMACO is No. 1 for a reason
W
hen it comes to curb-and-gutter work,
more GOMACOs are sold than any other brand. And
there’s a good reason for GOMACO’s dominance —
unrivaled versatility.
GOMACO curb-and-gutter machines feature
the company’s patented method of trimming while
slipforming, which leads to top quality, maximum
efficiency and the ability to take on a wide range of
projects. Concrete contractors use their GOMACO
units, such as the Commander III and GT-3600, not
only for traditional curb-and-gutter work, but also
to build barrier walls, bridge parapets, monolithic
sidewalks, recreational/cart paths and more.
The GOMACO Commander series has been
the industry’s ‘go-to’ slipform paver for more than
40 years. The current-generation, three-track
Commander III, also available with four tracks, is
job-proven and can slipform up to 20 feet wide.
Production speed can reach up to 49 feet per
minute (fpm). Travel speed has been increased to
125 fpm for better jobsite mobility.
The Commander III trimmerhead is 42 inches
wide with extensions available for trimming up to 10
feet, which eliminates unnecessary backfill behind
the pour. Also available on the Commander III, are
all-track steering (ATS) and all-track positioning
(ATP). Median barriers and bridge parapets are
standard applications for the Commander III, which
can also be equipped with 12- or 16-foot, easy-tobolt-on paving packages for maximum versatility.
The GOMACO GT-3600 has many of the same
features as the Commander III, but in a package
that makes it ideal for tight-radius concrete work.
The GT-3600’s unique design and multiple sensors,
combined with ATS and ATP, allow it to easily
slipform tight-radius curbs.
Highway barrier work
is a standard application
for the GOMACO
Commander III, while
the GT-3600
(inset left) is ideal for
tight-radius jobs.
Brief Specs
Model
Power
Standard mold
Subgrade trimmer
Commander III
225 hp
36”
42”
99 hp
24”
30”
GT-3600
GOMACO’s Hook-and-Go mounting system
makes switching molds on the GT-3600 quick and
easy. The unit can also accommodate 3-D stringless
paving technology. The ability to hydraulically raise
and lower the trimmerhead and mold makes the
3600 ideal for rehab work that requires going over
or around obstacles.
For more information on
any of GOMACO’s wide
range of curb-and-gutter
products, call your Tri-State
Sales Rep or contact the
nearest branch location.
Wireless Remote Control
The GOMACO GT-3400 represents a new class of curb-and-gutter machine. Its most striking
feature is the wireless remote-control system that allows the operator total freedom to move 360
degrees around the machine for the ultimate in visibility and safety.
The GT-3400 is a 136-horsepower machine that allows paving from either the right side or
left side; can pave six-foot widths and build 50-inch-high barrier walls; and has a revolutionary
new trimmer that’s the most powerful on the market.
www.tste.com
BILLINGS, MT
P. O. Box 1298
5250 Midland Road
Phone: (406) 245-3188
FAX: (406) 238-1501
BOZEMAN, MT
200 Floss Flat Road, Unit #1
Phone: (406) 388-5815
FAX: (406) 388-5817
CASPER, WY
P. O. Box 340
1271 North Derrick Drive
Phone: (307) 472-1818
FAX: (307) 472-3272
GREAT FALLS, MT
5024 Tri-Hil Frontage Rd.
Phone: (406) 452-9551
FAX: (406) 452-9831
GLENDIVE, MT
47 Highway 16
Phone: (406) 377-3188
FAX: (406) 377-3100
TRI-STATE TRUCK & EQUIPMENT, INC.
BRANCHING OUT
Tri-State’s Glendive, Mont., facility grows
to meet customer needs
A
little more than a year ago, Tri-State opened
a small branch in Glendive, Mont. The purpose
was to better serve longtime customers in eastern
Montana and western North Dakota, as well as
new customers working in the energy sector.
“It was a solid first year,” said Tri-State President
Tom Zimmer. “We’re very pleased with the level of
support customers have shown for the operation.”
“This is a big territory and it’s hard to cover
it from Billings,” said Tri-State Glendive Field
Service Technician Doug Kudrna. “We go from the
Canadian border to the South Dakota state line and
I put up to 1,500 miles a week on my service truck.
Whatever the customer needs, that’s what we try to
provide out of the Glendive branch.”
Plentiful parts
The Glendive branch is a customer-support
center that consists primarily of service technicians
and a parts department.
In addition to service technicians, Tri-State
also has a good supply of truck and equipment
replacement parts on hand in Glendive.
“Support for trucks and equipment — that’s
what people up in this area need and that’s what
we provide with this facility,” said Service Writer
Gary Carlson, who, along with Technician Nathan
Harrington, spends most of his time in the Tri-State
Glendive shop. “I’ve been a mechanic for about
20 years. There’s a lot of satisfaction in it and in
working here in Glendive because customers
appreciate that we’re now much closer to them.”
“From a parts standpoint, we try to anticipate
what customers are most likely going to need,
based on machine population,” said Kristi Young,
Parts Person. “We try to keep all common wear
parts in stock. And if we don’t have a part on the
shelf, we can almost always get it the next day at
the latest.”
Continued . . .
Opened a little more than a year ago, Tri-State’s Glendive branch serves eastern Montana and western North Dakota. “We are committed to providing outstanding
support to customers throughout the region,” said Tri-State President Tom Zimmer.
Glendive branch committed to customer support
. . . continued
A commitment to customers
“My goal personally, and I believe the goal of
every single Tri-State employee here in Glendive, is
to treat all customers the way we would like to be
treated if we were in their shoes,” said Carlson. “We
respect everybody we deal with, we try to get the
job done right and complete it as soon as possible,
and we do it for a fair and reasonable price.”
“Opening a new branch, even a relatively small
one like Glendive, is still a large undertaking,”
noted Zimmer. “As a company, we’re committed to
providing the support that keeps our customers up
and running. Down the road, we won’t hesitate to
hire more people and further expand the Glendive
operation, if that’s what it takes to keep our
customers in the region productive.”
Tri-State’s Glendive
branch staff includes
(L-R) Parts Person Kristi
Young, Field Service
Technician Doug Kudrna,
Service Writer Gary
Carlson and Service
Technicians Zach Lindsay
and Nathan Harrington.
Construction “finally out of its long slump.”
Mountain states activity to boom in 2013.
M
cGraw-Hill Construction forecasts a
6-percent increase in new-construction starts
nationwide in 2013. FMI Corp. predicts overall
construction to be up 7 percent. After analyzing
federal data, the Associated General Contractors of
America pegged the annualized rate of construction
spending in October (the latest month for which
figures are available) at $872 billion — a 37-month
high.
“Widespread gains in spending in October, along
with hefty upward revisions to estimates for the
previous two months, show that construction has
finally come out of its long slump,” Ken Simonson,
AGC Chief Economist, said in a news release.
“Although all major spending categories are far
below prerecession highs, they are well above their
recent low points.”
While overall construction spending is expected
to be much improved in 2013, not all contractors
will share equally. For example, while FMI forecasts
a whopping 23 percent increase in single-family
residential construction, virtually all reports show
any sector that relies heavily on public funding
(transportation, public safety, water supply, etc.)
will likely be flat.
Of course, as always, different parts of the
country will share differently in the recovery. FMI
projects the mountain region, which includes
Montana and Wyoming, will lead the nation with a
17-percent increase in construction spending.
TRI-STATE TRUCK & EQUIPMENT, INC.
A NEW CHAPTER
Tri-State’s DeWitt Boyd wraps up a 40-year career
in the construction equipment industry
“I
t is not the critic who counts: not the man
who points out how the strong man stumbles or
where the doer of deeds could have done better.
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in
the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat
and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and
comes up short again and again, because there
is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who
knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions,
who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at
the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high
achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at
least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place
shall never be with those cold and timid souls who
knew neither victory nor defeat.”
In 1910, just after his second presidential term
ended, Theodore Roosevelt delivered those lines
during a speech in Paris. In the more than a century
since he spoke them, they’ve inspired many people,
including DeWitt Boyd, who recently retired as
Tri-State President following a 40-year career in the
construction and equipment industries.
“What I take from Roosevelt’s words is to keep
going and always try to do better,” said DeWitt. “Life
is filled with ups and downs. All we can control is
our effort. For me, that meant always striving to do
my best for Tri-State customers and employees.”
A passion for equipment
DeWitt began his career as a machine operator
in the summers during his college years at the
University of Wyoming, then went to work as a
salesman for an equipment distributor in Denver
in 1974. In 1977, he moved to Casper with another
distributor, then joined Tri-State in 1983 as Branch
Manager in Casper. He became President of
Tri-State in 2003.
“It’s been challenging, interesting and enjoyable,”
said DeWitt of his four decades in the equipment
industry. “I can’t imagine having done anything else.
I have a passion for what the equipment we sell can
do and great admiration for the people who use it.
This industry literally built America and being able to
be a part of it has been very rewarding.”
Several things stand out to DeWitt as he looks
back at his career.
“No. 1 is the equipment itself, which is so much
better in every way than machines of 20, 30 or 40
years ago. No. 2 is the emphasis on product support
and the importance of having topnotch parts and
service that keep customers’ machines up and
running. And No. 3 is how Tri-State has grown (from
two locations to five) and improved, to be better
able to serve customers throughout our territory.”
In retirement, DeWitt says he plans to fish, restore
old cars and “learn to golf.” He will also be able to
spend more time with his wife, Sharrell, and their
four grandchildren.
“I look forward to having more free time, but I’m
sure I’ll miss the day-to-day activities, especially the
relationships with past and present customers and
employees. One thing I’m confident about is that
I’m leaving the company in great hands. From Tom
Zimmer, who was my partner and is now president,
to all the managers, sales reps, technicians, parts
people and office personnel, Tri-State is full of
dedicated individuals who are committed to helping
customers be successful.”
TRI-STATE TRUCK & EQUIPMENT, INC.
THE PEOPLE INSIDE
Senior Field Service Technician Jett Knoll travels
widely to support Tri-State customers
A
native of Missoula, Mont., Jett Knoll has
been a heavy equipment mechanic/technician for
30 years.
“As a high school kid, I swept the floors at the
local Cummins dealership and turned that into a job
working on trucks,” Jett recalled. “After about a year,
I decided heavy equipment was more to my liking
so I started doing that and have done it pretty much
ever since.”
Jett spent a couple of years at Northern Montana
College and a short stint in the military before going
to work as a mechanic for construction companies,
and later, at equipment dealerships in Alaska and
on the West Coast. He joined Tri-State in 1997,
and although based in Billings, travels extensively
throughout the state.
“I’m the senior technician and go wherever I’m
needed — from Billings to Missoula to the Canadian
border or into North Dakota,” he explained. “Tri-State
technicians are trained to work on all brands the
company sells. So whether it’s Volvo construction,
Volvo road machines, Mauldin or any other products,
if we sell it, you can be assured we have technicians
who can fix it.”
Tri-State and Volvo:
“a cut above”
Jett says the key to being able to repair equipment
is getting the necessary training to stay up-to-date
on the latest advancements.
“Tri-State does an excellent job of getting us the
training we need to keep up with equipment that’s
constantly changing. Sometimes, Tri-State or the
manufacturer will bring experts to our shops to
work with our service personnel and we also get
online training. In addition, we typically go to factory
schools twice a year. Training is an ongoing part of
the job and it’s absolutely necessary to allow us to
stay on top of everything.”
Although Jett considers himself “old-school,” he’s
also totally convinced that today’s equipment is far
superior compared to machines from 10 to 20 years
ago.
“From a customer perspective, today’s machines
are much better. They’re more productive, more
efficient and last longer. For example, companies
used to shut down for most of the winter because
their equipment didn’t work well in cold weather and
because they needed the time to do maintenance.
Now, people can and do routinely work their
machines year-round.
“I’ve been around the block and fixed a lot
of different equipment through the years and I
absolutely believe Volvo products are superior,” he
added. “I also think Tri-State service is a cut above.
At Tri-State, we get to customers quickly in an
emergency.”
Tri-State Senior Field Service Technician Jett Knoll believes training is the key to keeping
customers’ machines up and running. “Tri-State does an excellent job of getting us the training
we need to keep up with equipment that’s constantly changing,” Knoll said.
Jett and his wife, Leslie, live in Laurel, Mont. His
hobby is collecting guns. “I collect everything, but
my pride and joy is a World War II collection. I have
German, Japanese and Italian guns, as well as guns
from most of the Allied forces. They’re all in working
condition, so for a good time, I’ll take friends out
target shooting.”
TRI-STATE TRUCK & EQUIPMENT, INC.
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE
Call us.
(3) 2007 VOLVO VNL300, Volvo D12 465-hp diesel
engine, Fuller RTO16902LL transmission, 14,600#
front axle, 46,000# rear axle, Hendrickson air-ride
suspension, PTO, full locking differentials.
2013 MACK GRANITE GU813, s/n 019721, Mack
MP8-500-hp engine, 1760# torque, Fuller RTLO
18918B 18-spd transmission, 14,600# front axle &
spring, 46,000# rear axle, air-ride, air-slide 5th wheel,
242” wheelbase,150-gal fuel tank, 11R22.5 tires.
We can help
you with your
truck and
equipment
needs.
BILLINGS, MONTANA
P. O. Box 1298
5250 Midland Road
Phone: (406) 245-3188
FAX: (406) 238-1501
2006 VOLVO A40D 6X6 HAUL TRUCK, s/n V13197,
7,330 hours, Volvo D12C AAE2 414-hp diesel engine,
30.0-cu-yd heated body w/tailgate, A/C, extra work
lights, engine-block heater, electronically controlled
transmission, 6 speeds forward, 2 reverse, integral
hyd. retarder, fully hyd. brakes, oil-merged multiple
wet discs on all axles, 29.5R25 tires.
2008 VOLVO EC330CL, s/n 110038, Volvo D12C,
ECE2 247-hp diesel engine, 21’2” boom, 12’10”
arm, 32” triple-bar grousers, 54” 2.59-cu-yd HD
bucket, pilot pattern control valve, cab w/A/C/radio/
heater/front wiper/washer.
GREAT FALLS, MONTANA
5024 Tri-Hil Frontage Road
Phone: (406) 452-9551
FAX: (406) 452-9831
CASPER, WYOMING
P. O. Box 340
1271 North Derrick Drive
Phone: (307) 472-1818
FAX: (307) 472-3272
BOZEMAN, MONTANA
200 Floss Flat Road, Unit #1
Belgrade, MT
Phone: (406) 388-5815
FAX: (406) 388-5817
2012 VOLVO DD29, s/n 276034, 427-hp Kubota
4-cyl. diesel engine, 49” drum, 75-gallon water w/5
nozzles per drum.
2005 CAT 928GZ, s/n D01764, 3,733 hours, CAT
3056E DIT 143-hp engine, 3-cu-yd bucket w/edge,
joystick controls, cab/heater/A/C/radio.
EAGER BEAVER 55GSL/3, s/n 077968, 110,000#
capacity, air-ride suspension w/3rd axle lift, 25’10”
deck, tool-boxes in 1st & 2nd sections, 50” 5th
wheel height, 275/R22.5 tires.
1997 TRAIL KING TK70HT, s/n 079927, 10’ upper
deck, 37’ overall, hyd beavertail, 25 ton, tandem axle.
GLENDIVE, MONTANA
47 Highway 16
Phone: (406) 377-3188
FAX: (406) 377-3100
C.P.I.
P.O. Box 1689
C.R., IA 52406-1689
Presorted Standard
US Postage Paid
C.P.I.
Change Service Requested
THE EQUIPMENT YOU NEED...
...THE QUALITY & EXPERIENCE
YOU EXPECT
Dave Mills,
Branch Manager,
Billings, Bozeman
Scott Watson,
Branch Manager & Sales,
Great Falls
Larry Bautista,
Highway Truck Sales,
Billings
Dennis Morelock,
Sales,
Billings
Ron Catellier,
Branch Manager,
Casper
Tom LaFountain,
Highway Truck Sales,
Casper
Neal Branon,
Sales,
Casper
Tom Hunt,
Sales,
Billings
Scott Hinchey,
Sales,
Casper
Clarke Coulter,
Highway Truck Sales Manager,
Billings, Bozeman
CALL ONE OF OUR SALES REPRESENTATIVES TODAY AT ANY OF OUR LOCATIONS!
www.tste.com
BILLINGS, MT
P. O. Box 1298
5250 Midland Road
Phone: (406) 245-3188
FAX: (406) 238-1501
GLENDIVE, MT
47 Highway 16
Phone: (406) 377-3188
FAX: (406) 377-3100
GREAT FALLS, MT
5024 Tri-Hil Frontage Rd.
Phone: (406) 452-9551
FAX: (406) 452-9831
CASPER, WY
P. O. Box 340
1271 North Derrick Drive
Phone: (307) 472-1818
FAX: (307) 472-3272
BOZEMAN, MT
200 Floss Flat Road, Unit #1
Phone: (406) 388-5815
FAX: (406) 388-5817
13-1