Located in McGregor, Texas, just outside of Waco, C&A Equipment built its business around a simple approach: Prioritize service and stay closely connected to the local contractor.
Founded in 2018 by Chris Elliott, the company operates as a family-run dealership serving contractors across Central Texas. Elliott said his path into the equipment industry was not a traditional one.
"My background was actually 15 years in commercial banking," Elliott said. "Part of that involved handling repo equipment, and that's really where I got my introduction to equipment sales."
What began as a side effort quickly grew into a full-time opportunity. Elliott said the business expanded fast enough that he made the decision to build it into a standalone operation and bring in family to help run it.
C&A Equipment, named after Chris and his wife Annette, includes Elliott's brother, Tyler Elliott, who oversees day-to-day operations, sales and shop activity. The team also includes Dale Yates, who assists with deliveries, sales and rental make-ready, and Noah Huddleston, the company's shop technician.
The company operates from a facility built in 2021 along Highway 84 in McGregor. The location includes approximately 3,000 sq. ft. of building space with a showroom and a three-bay shop.
C&A Equipment serves a focused customer base, primarily local contractors working in construction, land clearing and related applications. Elliott said the company intentionally positions itself differently from larger rental houses and dealerships.
"We're small, and that's why we cater to the small contractor," he said. "That's our customer."
That smaller scale allows the business to maintain close relationships with customers. According to Elliott, most customers interact directly with ownership when they visit the dealership.
"When our customers walk in, they're usually seeing one of the owners," he said. "You don't see that in most places."
C&A Equipment became an authorized dealer of Gehl equipment in 2023, offering skid steers, compact track loaders and telehandlers. In addition to equipment sales, the company maintains an active rental fleet.
Elliott noted that rentals play an important role in introducing customers to newer equipment.
"That's why we went into rental before we went into sales," he said. "Once people run the machines, they start asking questions."
Attachments also represent a significant portion of the business. C&A Equipment carries a wide range of attachment lines, including grapples, brush cutters, trenchers, post drivers and grading tools used across a variety of job-site applications.
While product offerings continue to expand, Elliott emphasized that service remains the foundation of the company's approach.
"Everybody has equipment. It all operates essentially the same way," he said. "What makes the difference is the service behind it."
That approach traces back to Elliott's experience in banking, where he said customer relationships were often the deciding factor.
"It's less about the equipment and more about the service and who you're dealing with," he said.
As development continues across the Waco and McGregor area, C&A Equipment is seeing increased demand tied to regional growth and construction activity. Elliott said it is rewarding to see the company's equipment working on local projects.
"You see your work come to life." he said.
C&A Equipment continues to operate with a hands-on approach, focusing on service, accessibility and long-term customer relationships.
Elliott said that approach will remain central as the company continues to grow within the Central Texas market.
"Our goal is to keep doing what we've been doing," he said. "Take care of our customers and continue to grow the business the right way."
