The warm months are drawing to a close.  Now that the job you’ve been working on all summer is just about done, your jobs sites are likely getting less cluttered. And perhaps your crews are looking forward to a little bit of slow time.

Before you jump right into that rest and relaxation though, there is some work you should do before you start closing the books on this work season. You need to look at where your company is now and what’s ahead for the future. 

Is there equipment that would have helped your company at a job this year? Is it time to replace that aging directional drill, vacuum excavator or some other piece of equipment? Right now is the time you should be thinking about that while it’s still fresh on your mind. 

During the slower off-season, go through your equipment and take inventory of the condition it’s in, how much you used it and what needs to be done on it. 

TAKING A TRIP

If you’re wondering what equipment might be out there that could help you and your team, it might be a good opportunity to head to Kentucky at the end of September to check out The Utility Expo. 

This unique every-other-year show returns this year to Louisville and it’s always a great opportunity for contractors like you to see what equipment is available and even give it a test run. The show has an enormous outside area where demos are taking place consistently. Everything from directional drills, vacuum excavators, traditional excavators, bulldozers and more. 

This is the best time to try out that equipment you’ve been eyeing up and even talk to the experts at those manufacturers to see if it’ll work for you. 

TALK TO THE PROS

Speaking of talking to the manufacturers. If you’re on the fence about a piece of equipment, even after attending the show, it never hurts to reach out to them to see if they do product demonstrations in your area. 

Some vacuum excavation manufacturers and others enjoy the opportunity to show what their equipment can do while interacting with you and your team on an actual job site. 

Don’t be afraid to ask for more information or reach out to other contractors — maybe ones that you don’t compete with — and see what they think of that equipment.

MAKING IT A PRIORITY

If you can’t make it out to that show, make sure you flip through the pages of this issue and check out the Product Focus and The Latest: Products features so you can read about some of the product offerings that are out there for your company. 

Contact information for all of those manufacturers are also listed on those pages with the write-ups. 

You need to make it a priority, make it a necessity to ensure your team and your company are getting the best equipment out there to be productive, to be competitive with other service companies and to be the best your team can be. 

I’m looking forward to being at The Utility Expo and meeting contractors like you out there. Let me know if you are heading to Louisville at the end of September by emailing me at editor@digdifferent.com.

Enjoy this issue!