Journal Star Article on Alta’s New Territory

Caterpillar rival Volvo expanding in Illinois

PEORIA — Contractors looking for heavy machinery worldwide usually can find products from Caterpillar Inc. and Volvo Construction Equipment in the same geographic regions, but one manufacturer is expanding its presence in the backyard of its rival.

Volvo CE recently named Alta Equipment Company as its exclusive dealer in northern and central Illinois, and announced plans to open new locations in the same territory Caterpillar has called home for almost a century.

“Over the next two to three years, we’ll probably see four to five locations in the Illinois territory,” said Stephen Roy, president for the Americas region of Volvo CE.

Alta has been the authorized dealer of Volvo CE machinery in Michigan since 2009, when the company took the reins as an independent dealer from the corporate-owned dealership that had been operating in the state.

“They’ve done extremely well in the Michigan market, even with the depressed economy,” Roy said. “This is a young organization, a young management team, and we feel they’re going to be around for the long haul.”

Ryan Greenawalt, president of Alta Equipment Co., said his organization focuses on building long-term customer relationships.

“Alta is proud to represent Volvo as our flagship brand because we are serious about delivering the best value proposition in the industry,” Greenawalt said in a release announcing the new territory. “We are committed to representing only world-class products and backing them with exceptional support.”

Altorfer Inc. is the authorized dealer for Caterpillar Inc. in the region, and five facilities in Illinois, according to Caterpillar’s online dealer locator.

Source:http://www.pjstar.com/news/20170907/caterpillar-ri…