Construction Equipment Guide
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Thu April 26, 2012 - Midwest Edition
Recently appointed as an authorized distributor of Sennebogen material handlers, Victor L. Phillips Co. (VLP) is moving quickly to introduce customers to the green line machines and service support.
“We just signed the contracts with Sennebogen in January,” said Butch Teppe, president of VLP. “Our technicians have already completed their first training school in Charlotte, and are getting ready for their second-level courses. Sennebogen will be here in Kansas City with their sales school within the week!”
VLP is now the authorized dealer for Sennebogen equipment throughout the state of Kansas, in eastern Missouri and in northern Arkansas. Staff in all six of the firm’s sales and service branches will represent the new line.
Teppe’s eagerness to field a highly trained staff reflects the service commitment that Sennebogen was looking for in the area. According to Constantino Lannes, president of Sennebogen LLC, “Victor L. Phillips has been earning its reputation for customer service for over 100 years now. They come with the right attitude toward working closely with customers to ensure mutual long-term success. Our companies share a common outlook on how to build business.”
In contrast to the rapid ramp-up he is directing now, Teppe notes that VLP’s acquisition of the Sennebogen line was not a hasty move. “We tend to be long term players and we grow our lines carefully. We’re very stable and we’re very loyal to our manufacturers. In the end, this was a well thought, well planned out deal.”
Expanding Capability
for Recyclers
Teppe now looks forward to the arrival of his first stock machine. “Our focus for these machines will be on scrap and recycling applications.”
VLP is well established in recycling yards in the area, supplying heavy equipment such as wheel loaders, excavators and skid steers. However, Teppe sees Sennebogen as an important addition for serving his customers in the scrap industry.
“The scrap handler is the priority tool in these yards,” he explained. “We have had an excellent reception from customers; they seem very eager to have our representation to support the Sennebogen line. We have sold our first scrap handling machine already.”
Invested in Product Support
Sennebogen has emerged as an industry leader in recycling applications since its base in America was established in 2000. In 2008, Sennebogen constructed a new 53,000 sq. ft. parts warehouse and head office in Stanley, N.C., on the outskirts of Charlotte, which included an advanced facility for classroom and hands-on training. Recently, plans were announced to expand the facility to a total of 100,000 sq. ft.
Teppe is more than pleased by the progress of the U.S. operation. “We’re very excited by the substantial investment Sennebogen has made here over the past years. We represent a lot of good manufacturers and our technicians know the real deal from a ’fictional’ deal. They were very impressed — it’s a wonderful facility and an excellent school.”
Making Customers
More Competitive
Training on the new machines will continue to be a focus for VLP sales staff for the immediate future. “We plan to develop a scrap handling specialist on our team, working with Sennebogen regional representative, Bill McNamara,”?Teppe explained. “But all of our staff will be well educated on Sennebogen applications and capabilities. Our goal as an equipment supplier is to make our customers the best competitor in their market. In order to do that everyone on our team is very committed to their success.”