“That’s how my earthmoving business was born at Tocal Field Day" Jake Keevers, Jake Mini Excavators

Jake Keevers always wanted to be in earthmoving and heavy machinery. It’s in his blood. Passed on from grandfather to father and now Jake. 

When Jake and his mate went to the Tocal Field Day in 2016 they didn’t have a clear plan on what to do. Jake didn’t own a machine and he didn’t have a business. “Maybe that’s why a few of the sales guys from the different displays treated us like time wasters,” said Jake. “Any way, we ended up at the WesTrac stand talking to Mark Standing about Cat® machines. He took the time to answer all our questions and helped us out even though we weren’t a big customer, or even a small one yet.” 

“When Mark Standing started talking to us I quickly realised that there’s a bit more to making a business work than owning a machine. Mark gave me all the ins and outs of the Cat mini excavator range. He also ran through all the other things that I would need to make a go of my own business. He showed us the trailer and a few different basic worktools, such as buckets and an auger and the custom made trailer.”

“But the thing that impressed me the most was WesTrac’s service and support. I learnt that if a machine isn’t working then the business isn’t earning an income. And the customers aren’t happy and coming back for more. So I guess what impressed me the most was WesTrac’s ability to keep my machine working in top condition after they sold it to me. After I had all my questions answered, some numbers and a brochure in my hands I left Tocal thinking I could make a go of it,” says Jake.

“The next time I saw Jake was the following Monday when he called into our Tomago branch,” said a surprised Mark Standing. “He had a hand written cheque for a 10% deposit on a Cat 301.7 mini excavator bundle with a trailer, buckets and auger. His grandad, Dudley Keevers, had backed him and told him to go ahead and make a go of it. Dudley told him he’d be in good hands with a Cat machine and when Jake told me that it almost brought a tear to my eye. It’s one of the most rewarding parts of my job as a WesTrac sales representative,” said Mark. “Dudley is now in his 90’s but he used to be a well digger in the bush.”

Jake says, ‘I’d like to grow my business with a skiddie and do more farm work, track and dam building. I live in Medowie and I like the bush. I’ve done work as an operator but there’s nothing like having my own machine and working on my own business. Stando reckons I’m the youngest customer he’s had.”

“Mark and the WesTrac boys stay in touch to see if there’s any way they can help my business. It’s a good set up. The service, the quality of the Cat machine, it’s all worked out really well. I think grandad was right, with WesTrac and Caterpillar I am in good hands.”

For more information on WesTrac visit westrac.com.au or call 1300 88 10 64.