Paul Harmer, president of Richardson Service 1991 Inc., has grown the company by adding different machine brands to service his customers’ needs.

Paul Harmer, owner of Richardson Service 1991 Inc., founded his company in 1991 as a small repair shop in Conway, S.C.

Over time, the business has grown to include a large rental fleet of construction, forestry and compact equipment. In addition, he's made to improvements to the company's repair capabilities.

“In 1996, we hired our first salesman,” said Harmer. “Then, we started the rental business in select market places. We have since focused on the forestry market — right away clearing, pipeline and power line maintenance and clearing equipment.”

The company offers the Takeuchi line for the Southeast along with Bandit chippers and stump grinding equipment. According to Harmer, the company also carries the SANY line in Columbia to the eastern coast of the state. He said it's been a success.

“We carry everything from compact track loaders to mini-excavators right on up to D8 size bulldozers,” said Harmer. “We have up to 90,000-lb. excavators. We have motorgraders, compaction equipment and up to 84-in. smooth drum rollers. We have off-road trucks — up to 40-ton trucks. We also have 5,000 to 6,000-gallon off-road water trucks in our rental fleet, along with a 930 Barko mulching machine.”

In total, Richardson Service 1991 Inc. has 100 machines in the rental fleet and five salesmen. Alan Corbett is the company's salesman in Texas, and Jon Flournoy, Josh Brookshire, Parker Day and Scott Lucas work in South Carolina.

For the past two years, the company also has carried the Prinoth line, which includes multi-heads that work with Barko machines. The line also includes a Raptor 800, a large 640 HP self-propelled track machine, which works well on pipeline right-of-way clearing. It also completes below surface grinding.

Harmer explains the shift in his company's focus — from repair to rental — is due to technology and industry demand.

“We needed computerization to service newer equipment, therefore, we had to align ourselves with manufacturers to get the technology we needed,” said Harmer. “We were falling behind on that. Now, with the SANY and Barko product lines, we can certify our technicians for all of our engines, so we do everything in-house. It's been important to the growth of the company.”

According to Harmer, running a small company allows him to have more control, which is an advantage.

“If you've got a problem with the machinery you bought from us, we can send a technician anywhere in the country, usually within a day.”

Looking back, Harmer believes the past 26 years have been a success.

“We've tried to focus on the customers. As I tell the guys, that's all we have to offer. We're small, and we need to provide good customer service. We need to be responsive if they have a problem with the machines.”

For more information, visit www.rs91inc.com.

CEG

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