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Fort Smith Arkansas: Mars Petcare Expansion Project

Fort Smith, AR

Beginning May, 2021, Hugg & Hall started work with contractors on the the Mars Petcare Plant expansion in Fort Smith, AR. Mars Petcare Associates began work on the multi-million dollar expansion to their wet food plant located in Chaffee Crossing, adding 200,000-square-feet.

The project, which started in January 2021, is scheduled for completion of its current phase in the beginning of 2023.  With the addition of two production lines, they expect to increase the production capacity by more than 40%.

Hugg & Hall is working directly with contractors pulled in from across the country for this project, renting out well over 150 pieces of equipment to complete the job. Outside Rental Salesman, Kevin Lea, says, “This is easily one of the largest projects Hugg & Hall has had the pleasure to be a part of in many years here in Fort Smith.”

“I expect to see us on site with more major projects in the near future,” says Lea. “With expansions in production facilities in Chaffee Crossing, it’s not hard to see why.”

The 48-acre Fort Smith plant has plenty of room to continue to expand as work begins on “phase 3” in 2023. 

Why expand?

Mars Petcare says that over the past year (due in part to people staying home and getting more pets), the demand for wet pet food has risen nearly 18%. The two expansions at the Fort Smith plant are expected to grow this location’s production capacity by more than 75%.

“At Mars Petcare, everything we do is in service of our purpose: A Better World For Pets,” said Ikdeep Singh, Regional President of Mars Petcare North America. “Pet parents are at the center of everything we do, and at Mars Petcare, we’re committed to answering their evolving needs as a trusted partner for pet parents.” 

“The role of pets in our lives has grown even stronger during the pandemic, and our latest investment in Fort Smith enables us to deepen our commitment to our Associates and the City of Fort Smith.”

MARS is Going Green

The Fort Smith facility, which first opened in 2009, was the first sustainable manufacturing facility in Arkansas and the first sustainable pet food manufacturing facility in the world. It is LEED-Gold certified by the United States Green Building Council.

Hugg & Hall worked directly with contractors to ensure they meet this high standard for eco-friendly building. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is the nationally-accepted benchmark in the U.S. for designing, constructing and operating green buildings. 

The wet pet food factory achieved gold certification for its efforts such as recycling water, reduction of energy use and protection against light pollution and soil erosion.

For more information about Mars Petcare, visit www.mars.com/made-by-mars/petcare.

Looking to rent Hugg & Hall equipment for your next large project? Visit our rental page! Rental Equipment – Hugg & Hall (hugghall.com)

Partners renting with Hugg & Hall for the “Blue Moon Project”:

 

Corey Holtz Celebrates 20 Years!

Meet Corey Holtz, Systems Administrator for Hugg & Hall Equipment Company’s IT Department! Corey has been with the company for 20 years and has experienced a memorable (to say the least) past few months.  As Hugg & Hall dealt with a cyber attack in November of 2021, Corey and our IT department worked tirelessly to get everyone back up and running while building  hardware and servers. We appreciate their hard work!

Where were you born and raised?

I was born in Stevens Point, Wisconsin on New Years Day, 1968. I was raised in a little town called Eagle River, Wisconsin which is about three hours north of Green Bay. We were way up there in the cold! 

Where did you go to school/college?

I went to school at the University of Arkansas- Little Rock back in 1999 for my A+ certification in computers and my MCSE certification. (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer)

How long have you been with Hugg & Hall?

I came to Hugg & Hall in February of 2001. I saw an ad in the newspaper for an IT position and at the time I was working around the corner at a small company called Personalized Computers. During my lunch, I came by and put in an application for the position here and the rest is history. I’ve been in the IT department ever since and enjoy what I do very much.

What does a day in the life of a Systems Administrator look like?

I am the Systems Administrator here for all our laptops and computers so needless to say, it can quickly get very busy. You have to try to stay levelheaded and help everyone you can in a timely matter and treat them like they are your customer. Most everyone here at Hugg & Hall is very understanding when it comes to helping them, and that sure helps.

What is the best part, or your favorite thing, about working for Hugg & Hall?

Job Security and it’s indoors! LOL What I like best is everyone from the top (John Hugg and Robert Hall) to the bottom, are very approachable, which I think is key. If you can’t communicate with everyone, that’s how problems get started.

Do you have a favorite memory of your time here at Hugg & Hall?

I’ve had a lot of good memories with cookouts and company lunches, and making lots of new friends, but one of my favorite memories was when I was being interviewed by Robert Hall. I was all ready and waiting, wondering what his first question would be and what my answer would be, and then he asked me, “What do I like to do for fun!”. Needless to say, I was not ready for that to be his first question.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I love to hunt and fish and I am into pond management. I am also currently fixing up a 1972 Mach 1 Mustang with my two boys.

What is an interesting or random fact about you people may not know?

For 4 years I was a hydraulic and pneumatics specialist in the United States Air Force working on C130’s, C5’s and C141’s.

Tell us your favorite quote and what it means to you.

I always liked the quote from Rocky, “It isn’t about how hard you hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done.” I’ve always shared this with my two boys as a constant reminder that life is not easy and anything worth having takes hard work.

Thank you, Corey, for all that you do for Hugg & Hall! 

 

Employee Spotlight: Luke Benson

Meet Luke Benson!

Luke was born and raised in Perth, located in the western territory of Australia. After coming to the United States for vacation and spending several months traveling, they decided to make the move to Fort Smith, Arkansas, where his wife once visited to meet a pen pal she was paired up with while in school. 

Luke has been a part of Hugg & Hall since July of this year- entering the role of Inside Rental Sales. He can be seen as somewhat of an expert in the rental industry, as he worked for a rental company in Australia for 15 years. In a typical day, Luke can be seen taking orders from customers and our Outside Rental Sales team while interacting with any walk-in customers that may come in. Luke considers himself a people person, getting to interact with new people and customers daily while building relationships is the highlight of his workday! 

In his free time, Luke enjoys playing golf, listening to live music, and spending time with his family! Something many people may not know is that he can surf and play guitar. You could classify Luke as some what of a world traveler as well, he has visited beautiful places such as Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia.

“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough”

The next time you visit our Fort Smith branch say ‘hello’ to Luke! To get to know some of our other Hugg & Hall teammates, check out our other employee spotlights.

Winter Road Hazards

As the weather cools off, winter road hazards arrive. Cooler, damper weather and shorter days encourage wildlife to travel across roadways, and wet roads can freeze. Our HSE Safety Specialist provided us with this list of tips to lower your chances of getting into a car accident, and we want to share it with you! 

Want more information? Download our complete guide to winter construction site prep!

Wildlife Safety Tips

  • In winter, deer and other wildlife are more active in the early- to mid-morning hours and from late-afternoon through dusk. 
  • Hunting season can force wildlife out of their natural habitat towards roadways and populated areas. Always scan the roadways for deer. 
  • Slow down if you are traveling a route where deer are often present or deer crossing signs are posted. 
  • If an animal runs in front of your vehicle, brake and do not swerve. Attempting to miss the animal is more dangerous. Swerving can cause collisions with other drivers or cause you to drive into a ditch or tree. 

Winter Weather Safety Tips

  • If roadways are wet from rain, snow, sleet, ice, etc., you should increase your following distance from other cars. You should be approximately four car lengths from the car in front of you, double your standard following distance. 
  • The time change during Daylight Savings can result in driver fatigue. Plan accordingly and get plenty of rest.
  • Your tire pressure will drop as the temperature does. Fill your tires to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure (located on the driver’s side door frame). It’s a good idea to inspect your tires at least once a month.
  • Keep your gas tank close to full. If you have an electric vehicle, plug it in at night to keep the battery temperature within optimal ranges. 
  • If you need to break suddenly, you should be aware of whether or not you have antilock brakes. If you do, apply firm, continuous pressure to the brake pedal. If you don’t have antilock brakes, you may need to pump your brakes if your wheels start to lock up. 
  • Stock your vehicle in case of emergency. Kits can include water, nutritious snacks, blankets, a flashlight, an ice scraper/snow brush, and more. 

Even if you do not drive a company vehicle, weather conditions and wildlife can affect you. Incorporating these tips into your daily drives can make for safer roadways!

Have additional questions? Contact us! Interested in learning more about keeping your team safe and your equipment in tip-top shape? Download our complete Winter Prep Guide! 

 

Want more winter weather tips and tricks? Check out our resources section! 

This article was originally published in December 2021. We updated it for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness in January 2023. 

Hugg & Hall and Bobcat Company Celebrate 50 years!

A partnership that’s been going strong since 1969! Hugg & Hall (aka Bobcat of Little Rock) and Bobcat Company celebrated their 50-year dealer agreement in October 2019. 

John Hugg and Robert Hall viewing the original Clarklift and Bobcat agreement

History 

Charlie Hugg, owner of Clarklift of Arkansas (now Hugg & Hall Equipment Company) signed a dealer sales agreement with Bobcat Company on January 1st, 1969. 

This agreement allowed Clarklift to represent the Little Rock, AR territory. 

Since that day, Hugg & Hall has expanded their our dealer network to include Fort Smith, AR, Jonesboro, AR, and El Dorado, AR. 

Hugg & Hall’s rental department is set up as a national account for Bobcat. 

 

Celebration

To celebrate our 50 year partnership, Bobcat Company representatives presented John Hugg & Robert Hall with the first signed sales agreement between Bobcat Company and Clarklift. The agreement was framed with a Bobcat plaque. 

Bobcat Company also treated our Little Rock, Fort Smith, and Jonesboro branches to lunch. Thank you, Bobcat! 

 

This post was originally published in 2019. We updated it for freshness and accuracy in 2024.  

Did you know? Hugg & Hall has a new Bobcat-specific website for Bobcat of Little Rock! Contact us and learn more at bobcatlittlerock.com! 

Hugg & Hall and Scott Equipment Agree to Trade Manufacturer Product Lines in Two States

Deal to Deliver Greater Value for Companies, Clients and Manufacturers

Little Rock, Ark. (Oct. 1, 2019) – Industry leaders Hugg & Hall Equipment Company and Scott Equipment Company, LLC have entered into a unique strategic agreement to trade Volvo and Toyota manufacturer territories in Louisiana and Arkansas in order to better align product offerings with each company’s business model and target markets. The agreement, effective today, is designed to expand the companies’ core operations, streamline manufacturer-dealer engagements and increase value to the companies’ clients through enhanced focus on primary business lines.

Under the terms of the landmark agreement, Hugg & Hall is transferring its Volvo Construction Equipment territory in Arkansas to Scott Equipment; in return, Scott Equipment is transferring its Toyota Material Handling territory in Louisiana to Hugg & Hall.

Hugg & Hall’s business focus includes sales, rental, parts and service of material handling and light construction equipment. The agreement calls for Hugg & Hall to operate out of current New Orleans and Baton Rouge Material Handling locations. Operations in Broussard, Lake Charles, Alexandria, Shreveport and Monroe will be absorbed into existing Hugg & Hall facilities.

Scott’s business focus includes sales, rental, parts and service of heavy-duty construction equipment and cranes. Under the terms of the deal announced today, Scott will absorb the Hugg & Hall Volvo operations into Scott’s existing Arkansas facilities.

“This is a transformative agreement that enables Hugg & Hall to expand our industry-leading position in the forklift market, sharpen our manufacturer relationships and deliver greater value to clients by enhancing the core capabilities we provide throughout our operating territory,” said Hugg & Hall President John Hugg. “Volvo Construction Equipment and Toyota Material Handling have both lent their full support to this innovative arrangement and are optimistic the new structure will result in growth across each brand.”

In order to expand their presence in Louisiana, Hugg & Hall intends to retain Scott’s material handling employees within the territory. As part of the deal, Scott Equipment will absorb Volvo-specific Hugg & Hall team members into its current Arkansas operations.

“We have enjoyed being a Volvo dealer for 33 years and are confident the talented team at Scott will continue to represent the brand well in Arkansas,” Hugg said. “At the same time, we are excited to grow our already strong relationship with Toyota, adding new territory in Louisiana that provides a valuable opportunity to advance our long-term strategic objectives.”

About Hugg & Hall

Hugg & Hall Equipment Company, headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas, has been family owned and operated since 1956. The company is a full-service dealer for material handling equipment, representing Toyota, Taylor, Crown, Doosan, Enersys, Combilift, Sellick, Bobcat, and more. Hugg & Hall provides comprehensive material handling solutions including new & used equipment, parts and service support and a fleet of over 1000 rental forklifts. Hugg & Hall services all of Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, southern Missouri and east Texas with a team of 600 employees and 14 locations. The company is also one of the largest construction and industrial equipment rental providers in the south, with a fleet of over 6,000 rental units. With value-added services and a focus on their customers, Hugg & Hall Equipment Company is the one-stop shop for every construction and industrial equipment need.

For more information about Hugg & Hall Equipment Company, please contact John Hugg, President, at john.hugg@hugghall.com.

About Scott Equipment

Scott Equipment Company has represented the world’s finest makers of heavy-duty construction equipment, cranes and forklifts since 1939.  Headquartered in Monroe, Louisiana, the company is a full-service dealer for heavy-duty construction equipment and cranes, representing Volvo, Elgin, JLG, Case, Kobelco, Cushman, Rammer, Furukawa, BTi and Gradall. Scott’s team of nearly 400 employees sells, rents and services at 19 locations in five states including Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, Tennessee, and Mississippi. Scott Equipment Company provides the customer with quality equipment supported with over $10 million parts inventory and certified service technicians with over 770 years of combined experience.

For more information about Scott Equipment Company, please contact Eric Goebel, Chief Operating Officer, at egoebel@scottcompanies.com or visit their website at https://www.scottcompanies.com/

Product Support Team Gathers for Unprecedented Meeting in Little Rock

The Hugg & Hall Equipment Company (Hugg & Hall) Product Support Team gathered for a meeting like no other. For the first time (in anyone’s memory) all parts and service managers, as well as all product support sales representatives (PSSRs), gathered together to build comradery and talk about upcoming changes in the coming year. This unprecedented meeting took place in downtown Little Rock, Ark., from May 14 to May 15 at the DoubleTree Hotel and the Robinson Center.

Vice President of Parts and Service Operations, Chris Shields, set the tone for the next two days by offering definitions of comradery and what it means to be a team player in a company of this magnitude. Shields also spoke on the game plan for the meeting, noting that the first day would be difficult because he was going to be talking about the various struggles the departments face internally. He said that he hoped by the end of it all each department would have a better sense of what it means to be a team.

“One objective, one team,” said Shields. “Relentless passion to be the best provider of services that deliver maximum equipment up time to our customers.”

Before diving into the struggles of the Product Support Team, Shield’s spoke on the team’s achievements from the previous year. The Product Support Team had a record-breaking year, they contributed about 45% of the company’s total gross profit. With technicians bringing in 72% of total revenue deriving from product support operations.

“We are in a great place as a company, not only to provide quality service to our customers but to provide quality service and training to attract and retain skilled technicians,” said Shields on the importance of the role technicians serve. “Saying things like ‘they could’ve done better’ or ‘they should’ve tried harder,’ is unacceptable. The value of our techs can’t be understated.”

Larry Denson, Parts Operations Manager at the Hugg & Hall Oklahoma City branch, was surprised by the impact technicians play in the overall success of the company.

“To see the average number in dollars of their (technicians’) contributions to the company’s gross profit and the bottom line was eye-opening, to say the least,” said Denson. “I think if more of the employees understood this it could and should help to eliminate some of those negative views technicians are saddled with.”

Shields was also proud to announce that the team is currently doing business with 55 Fortune 500 companies and 17 Fortune 1000 companies, a large majority of which are located, or have a substantial presence, in Arkansas.

“You should be very proud to do what you do and you should be very proud to do what you do with this company,” said Shields.

When it came time to address the struggles and hardships that the Product Support Team has been facing internally, Shields addressed it head-on, owning up to his part of the problem.

“I receive that, I own that, I believe in that,” said Shields.

The room grew quiet as everyone seemingly began to realize that the problems and issues they were having with specific departments were universal.

“The great thing about old walls is they can be removed,” said James Burgess, Product Support Sales Representative at the Hugg & Hall Fort Smith branch. “Our culture is changing with the business landscape, we are proving to be progressive and self-reflecting. I’m excited to be a part of the Product Support Team and look forward to the great things ahead.”

After the meeting, everyone gathered at the Flying Saucer, a local restaurant near the River Market, for dinner. This was also a great time for everyone to decompress and enjoy meeting people from other branches.

“It is always a neat experience when you get to put a face with a name,” said Denson “You hear these names of your counterparts that are in the same position as those you work with at your branch and then you finally get to meet them.”

The next morning, everyone gathered for the second half of the meeting. Shield’s kicked off the meeting by introducing structural changes within the Product Support Team’s leadership. After the new introductions were made, Mitch Perry, Regional Vice President of Product Support for the southern region, and Mark McLarty, Regional Vice President of Product Support for the northern region, conducted break off meetings with their respective colleagues to answer any questions and set the tone for future meetings.

“This isn’t going to change today, we aren’t going to be all huggy dovey as soon as we leave here, but you’ve got my trust and I hope I’ve got yours,” said McLarty to his group.

“We have the resources and people to do something incredible,” said Perry.

After a short break, everyone gathered to conclude the meeting. The meeting ended with small presentations from Lucas Hall, Product Support Software/Data Developer/Business Analyst, Tracey Gibbs, Corporate Parts Manager and Tom Mitchell, Product Support Manager at the Hugg & Hall Springdale branch. Each presented on new initiatives to minimize downtime and maximize productivity. Each of these initiatives will be detailed in future blog posts.

“This unprecedented meeting provided a unique opportunity to share real-world experiences that may be brought to bear for the benefit of our customers both external and internal; time well spent,” said Mitchell.

 

Optimize Engine Efficiency

Optimizing Engine Efficiency Through Maintenance

Performing regular service on your equipment can help optimize your engine efficiency. Learn more about engine maintenance and the products that can help keep your equipment in good shape. 

Fuel

Appropriate fuel usage is one way to improve engine productivity. Water-based fuel is a major limiting factor for engine efficiency. Fuel with ethanol (a water-alluring substance) can cause corrosive patterns and damage carburetors. 

Fuel stabilizers keep fuel fresh, remove water to prevent corrosion, and cleanse carburetors.  Another option is to use ethanol-free fuel. Both can help keep your engine running smoothly and optimize its efficiency. 

Oil

Regularly scheduled oil changes are vital to engine productivity. Most engines require oil changes every 100 hours of operation. However, smaller utility equipment, which utilizes air-cooled engines, require oil changes every 50 hours of operation. Always review the manufacturer’s guidelines for engine maintenance recommendations and engine oil guidelines. 

Setting up a preventative maintenance schedule for your equipment can help protect it further. Your service team may use full-synthetic oil when performing oil changes. Full-synthetic oil is designed to accommodate longer usage intervals in higher-heat environments. Some synthetic oil options also include anti-wear components, which may improve engine viability. 

Air

Maintaining proper airflow is an important aspect of engine efficiency. Smaller, air-cooled engines require fresh air to maintain a high level of performance. Regularly changing engine air filters is an important maintenance routine. Always use OEM (original equipment manufacturer) filters. Never settle for a cheaper option. OEM/cyclonic filters are higher-performing and better for your engine. 

Read more about OEM parts in our blog post.

 

It’s a good idea to regularly review your equipment manuals to ensure comprehensive, appropriate maintenance is performed regularly.