Sitecrafters of Florida Inc. has spent more than two decades building a reputation for expertise in underground utility and sitework projects across West Central Florida. Founded in 2003 by Ted Kempton, the Tampa-based company has grown from a small operation into a disciplined contractor with seven utility crews and roughly 45 employees.

"I started Sitecrafters after working as a landscape architect for more than 20 years," said Kempton. "The company originally handled high-end residential construction in addition to sitework, but we quickly realized our strengths were in complex urban commercial projects. Over the years, we've refined our focus and grown into what we are today."

Sitecrafters concentrates its efforts on multifamily, institutional, educational and healthcare projects. The company's work is characterized by constrained job sites, complicated logistics and existing utilities that require extensive planning and coordination.

"We primarily work in brownfield environments where space is tight and existing infrastructure provides a range of challenges," Kempton said. "These projects demand organization, professionalism and a willingness to plan every move."

As a service-disabled veteran-owned small business, Sitecrafters values its military heritage. Kempton noted that the company's success is built on lessons learned from previous work and a reliable team of employees, often hired with military background. For a majority of projects, Brian Ackerson, general superintendent, and Joey Stewart, superintendent, work closely with Kempton to maintain consistency in operations and leadership.

"Our business model revolves around disciplined growth," said Kempton. "We've learned the hard way not to take on too much work or spread ourselves too far geographically. Staying disciplined ensures we deliver quality results and remain profitable."

Keeping Crews Productive

In addition to its people, Sitecrafters' capabilities are bolstered by a reliable fleet of Komatsu equipment purchased and serviced through Linder Industrial Machinery Company, including PC210LC-11, PC290LC-11 and PC360LC-11 excavators; WA270-8 and WA320-8 wheel loaders; and D39PX-24 dozers. Sitecrafters also uses BOMAG rollers.

"Our Komatsu equipment works when we need it to work, and that's a big deal for us," said Kempton. "We provide our crews with reliable machines because if your equipment is down, that's on you. Weather and general contractors can throw enough curveballs — equipment failures should never be one of them."

The durability and value of Komatsu machines also were crucial factors in Sitecrafters' decision to standardize its fleet.

"Komatsu equipment gives us the best value," said Ackerson. "It's durable, performs as well as higher-priced brands and comes with better support. That's why all our big iron is Komatsu."

Ackerson pointed to the company's current multiphase residential project as a good example of how the fleet keeps things running smoothly in a complex environment.

"The job site used to be the active parking lot for a restaurant, and we have to keep their lift station live until the new one is ready," Ackerson said. "We're working around customers and an active business, so downtime is not an option. The Komatsu PC290LC-11 excavator with a densifier lets us crush demo material and make our own road base right here, which saves time and cost.

"The PC360LC-11 excavator came in handy on a lift station that was 22 feet deep. It has the reach and power to get the job done, and the loaders and dozers keep everything around the job moving efficiently, so we stay on schedule even when the site is tight."

Support That Delivers

Ackerson added that Linder's product support is a major reason Sitecrafters continues to invest in Komatsu equipment. The partnership with Randy Thomas, sales representative, ensures downtime is minimized and service is proactive.

"Linder makes it easy to do business," said Kempton. "Randy has always been a straight shooter with me, been honest and given us good service. He's always been there, and he knows our business, so he's not trying to sell us a machine that just doesn't work with what we do."

"I can call our product support rep, Mike Hagy, and within an hour, he's on-site if needed," said Ackerson. "Sometimes, he even talks me through a fix over the phone, saving us a service call."

Sitecrafters also benefits from Komatsu's Komtrax telematics program. This tool provides real-time insights into machine usage and idle times, helping the company reduce wear and tear while improving fuel efficiency.

"Komtrax sends us a weekly report that tracks idle times, and I share it with all our foremen," Ackerson said. "If a crew has excessive idle time, they get called out, and it motivates everyone to be more efficient. It's a simple but effective way to keep costs down and extend equipment life."

Additionally, the company uses Komatsu Care and PM agreements to stay ahead on maintenance, ensuring machines are serviced at the right intervals without interrupting productivity.

"Linder takes care of scheduling and even performs maintenance after hours," said Ackerson. "That means we're not losing runtime during the day, which is huge for keeping projects on track."

Future Growth

Moving forward, Kempton expects Sitecrafters to continue growing at a sustainable pace while maintaining its commitment to quality, honesty and value.

"Our future depends on staying disciplined, hiring good people and sticking to what works," Kempton said. "We may not be the only company that can do this work, but we take pride in delivering value and building lasting relationships. That's who we are, and that's what we'll continue to do."

(This story is reprinted with permission of Linder Industrial Machinery. The opinions expressed here are based on the customer's specific experience. Results may vary.)