After 42 years of serving the greater Houston area's heavy equipment maintenance and service needs, Gil's Heavy Equipment Repair (GHER) is now an authorized service provider for SENNEBOGEN and Cummins.
GHER President Gil Bagatti said effective Jan. 1, 2025, his company began offering OEM-certified service and parts for these companies. Bagatti said these are "two of the industry's most trusted names."
The long-tenured repair shop can now service any SENNEBOGEN machine, including those used in scrap handling, forestry and port operations, also while providing certified repairs and parts for Cummins engines.
To support the expansion, GHER added a new 1,200-sq.-ft. parts distribution center and now stocks SENNEBOGEN and Cummins parts, which include uptime kits, preventive maintenance kits and complete service packages for heavy equipment fleets.
Humble Beginnings
Founded in 1982, Gil Bagatti started the company as a one-man operation, offering field service repairs from a single truck. With support from his wife, Nikki, the company vice president, Bagatti worked to expand the business, eventually growing into a 13,000-sq.-ft. facility with eight service bays and a fleet of 10 service trucks, three lube trucks, as well as 30 loyal employees.
"I started this business as a sole mechanic, just myself and my truck, working out of an apartment parking lot," Bagatti said. "Now, we've got a full team of mechanics, a dedicated parts division and factory training with some of the biggest names in the industry. It's been a long road, but we're proud of what we've built."
Gil's Heavy Equipment Repair remains a family-operated business.
Along with his wife, Gil's sister, Amber Evans, is the office manager, completely overseeing the office operations for more than 30 years. His daughter, Megan Rogers, serves as the office administrator, while his son-in-law, Jonathan Rogers, is the equipment service and repair representative, helping to oversee operations and service coordination.
"It's a family business, and we treat our customers like family, too," Bagatti said. "When a customer calls, they know they're getting personal service, not just another number or a job ticket in the system. That's what has kept us growing all these years."
Total Service Provider for Heavy Equipment
Gil's Heavy Equipment Repair offers a full range of services to meet the needs of contractors, dealers and fleet operators.
The company specializes in engine rebuilds, providing complete overhauls and diagnostics for heavy equipment, ensuring that equipment runs at peak performance. The hydraulic system repair capabilities include servicing cylinders, control valves and pumps, along with advanced troubleshooting to prevent costly failures.
For customers requiring transmission and differential overhauls, the company developed an in-house process for full component rebuilding, extending the life of key machinery. They also provide bucket and frame rebuilds, performing custom metal fabrication, welding and reinforcements to restore worn-out equipment. Preventive maintenance programs help clients avoid unexpected breakdowns by offering scheduled services tailored to each machine's operational needs.
"After visiting SENNEBOGEN's North American headquarters in North Carolina," he said, "I saw firsthand their commitment to training and quality."
Once deciding this was the right new venture, and the right time, his team immediately began factory training his employees for certification to service SENNEBOGEN and Cummins full line of machines, according to Bagatti.
"We wanted to be more than just a repair shop: Our goal was to be a full support center for SENNEBOGEN owners," Bagatti said. "That's why we invested in the training, the tools and the parts inventory to make sure we can take care of our customers the right way."
Phase two of the recent expansion was the designation of GHER as a Cummins Authorized Service Provider. This represented the company the opportunity to provide certified repairs and OEM Cummins parts for customers. Inventory includes essential components like fuel injectors, fuel system parts and engine rebuild kits, ensuring that machines can be serviced quickly and efficiently.
"Cummins engines power a huge portion of the machines we work on, so becoming an authorized provider was a natural step for us," Bagatti said. "Now, we can provide not just the service, but also the OEM parts customers need, all in one place."
The company uses a custom-built maintenance tracking system designed by Technical Service Advisor Rick Grimes. This software allows Gil's to track machine hours, schedule services at optimal intervals and ensure timely maintenance, reducing the risk of costly breakdowns. Employee Steve Mitchell, SENNEBOGEN specialist, handles SENNEBOGEN and Cummins parts as well as processing warranties and claims.
"We can monitor machine hours, send service reminders and track wear patterns, all of which help our customers keep their fleets running longer and more efficiently," Bagatti said.
Safety also is a priority. All technicians undergo OSHA and MSHA certification and participate in weekly safety meetings to stay up to date on the latest regulations and best practices. GHER is a member of Avetta and the ISNetworld groups. The technicians also have port access transportation worker identification credential cards, which allow them to gain access to service machinery at the Port of Houston.
"This is a dangerous industry. We work with heavy equipment, high-pressure hydraulics and extreme loads, so safety has to be at the core of everything we do," Bagatti said. "We don't cut corners. Our safety record speaks for itself, and our customers know they can trust us to get the job done right."
After 42 years in business, Bagatti remains passionate about the industry and the customers he serves.
"We've built something special here," he said. "We take care of our customers, and they take care of us. That's how we've grown, and that's how we'll keep growing."
For more information, visit gilsheavyequip.com.
