Bobcat of Springfield
Manager: Paul Harrison
Company History: Bobcat of Springfield is a division of Van Keppel companies. GW Van Keppel started his company in 1926 in Kansas City, Mo. He ran the company himself. His son-in-law took over the company and they opened a location in Springfield and it became a Bobcat dealer. In 2006 the company opened Bobcat of Springfield, a subsidiary of Van Keppel.
In 1995 Paul Harrison came on with the company. He manages Bobcat of Springfield today.
Products and Services: “We are a full line dealership for Bobcat. We have skidsteers, loaders, excavator products and trackloaders. We’ve taken on other lines with utility vehicles, tractors and more specialty equipment. Our tractors were new in 2008,” Paul said. Bobcat tractors are white, and Paul cited the marketing slogan for the new tractors, “Tough enough to wear white, this is a tractor that meets the Bobcat standard. A lot of things that are options on other tractors come standard on our tractors. Telescoping arms, a joystick that is integral to the tractor, these are all added comforts.”
How do you stay ahead of the competition?
“The Bobcat line stays ahead by being a leader in the industry. This is accomplished though research and development, leading in new technology, leading in electric technology, leading in hydraulics and engine technology. We also offer products other people don’t offer. Customer service is really a big goal. We have to be a meet and greet company. This is our only business, this is all we do. It is all about the Bobcat customers. We have more parts available than any of our competition within 100 square miles, and we have factory trained technician, parts, and service technicians. Trained at the factory is a big deal and it makes sure the customer is getting the best service and is being taken care of.”
