Photo courtesy of KATO Compact Excavator Sales

The celebration included the company’s participation in the ARA Show at the Ernest N. Memorial Convention Center in New Orleans and a special anniversary party.

Compact Excavator Sales, a North American distributor of KATO Works and Canycom East Coast distributor, celebrated its 30th anniversary with a kick-off at the American Rental Association (ARA) Show in New Orleans and party on February 19.

The celebration included the company's participation in the ARA Show at the Ernest N. Memorial Convention Center in New Orleans and a special anniversary party at the JW Marriot, celebrating three decades of innovation, growth, and commitment to excellence in the compact equipment industry.

Founded in 1994 by Mike and Markie Smith, Compact Excavators began with a vision to supply quality equipment to rental houses in North America. Taking years of experience, relationships, and a drive to grow, Mike Smith kicked off Compact Excavator Sales with its initial show at ARA in Atlanta in 1994.

Over the years, the company grew significantly, continually expanding its product lines and services to meet the evolving needs of its customers.

In 2016, KATO Works purchased IHI, and IHI Compact Excavator Sales transitioned to KATO Compact Excavator Sales. This transition reflected a new partnership and expanded product lineup. This transition allowed the company to further its mission of providing industry-leading compact equipment solutions backed by superior customer service and support.

"We were immensely proud to celebrate 30 years of service with customers, industry partners and family that have made this journey possible," said Mike Smith. "Our anniversary celebration at the ARA Show in New Orleans was not just a milestone for our company but a testament to our team's hard work and dedication, the quality of our products, and our commitment to customer support."

The anniversary celebration kicked off with Compact Excavator Sales' participation in the ARA Show, where attendees explored the latest equipment, including the newly released HD308 67hp excavator — a powerful and compact large excavator designed to bridge the gap between compact excavators and large excavators. Compact Excavator Sales also released its 9V5 micro mini excavator; its petite size is perfect for the smallest and narrowest jobs.

The festivities continued with an exclusive party at the JW Marriott, offering guests the opportunity to celebrate the company's 30 years of success, innovation, and growth.

KATO Compact Excavator Sales is continuing its 30th-anniversary celebration throughout the year. The celebration includes collaborations with popular YouTubers Daniel Arms of Arms Family Homestead and Nathan Elliot of Out Of The Woods Forestry, growing the dealer/rental house network, and creating and implementing resources for its customers.

Today's top stories

Des Moines Airport Works With Weitz/Turner On Expansion

ROMCO Equipment Co., SMT Acquire Bee Equipment Sales

San Francisco County Transportation Authority Bridges Retrofit Addresses Seismic Safety

Year in Review: Bobcat's Major Moments of 2024

MassDOT to Use Drones for Infrastructure Projects; Amherst Exploring New Downtown Designs

Iowa DOT's I-35 Project Includes New Bridges

JM Wood Holds December Auction in Montgomery, Alabama

DEVELON Set to Exhibit at ARA Show 2025