It was a beautiful October day in Pennsylvania when High Caliber Cranes celebrated its partnership with XCMG and showed off its equipment at its first client appreciation day. More than 50 of its closest customers attended the event.
To understand how this day came about, let’s go back to the beginning of when the two companies met and how their goals aligned to the present.
In 2012, Brian Snyder, founder of High Caliber, was building his understanding of all things crane related as a technician for a local crane company. By 2020, he felt ready to strike out on his own. While attending that year’s ConExpo in Las Vegas, he was introduced to XCMG and, when he saw what its equipment could do, he was immediately hooked.
To say Brian was impressed would be an understatement, Kristen Snyder, general manager of High Caliber, said.
“By no means did we think we’d be going home with XCMG,” Kristen told Crane Hot Line. “[But] Brian felt like we had nothing like it in the U.S., and so far, it has exceeded what we have here. At the time, he felt like if he didn’t start talking with XCMG, someone else would,” she added. So [Brian] began the dialog between the two companies and it continued for three years, until he entered a partnership one year ago for High Caliber to buy and sell XCMG cranes.
“Brian had such a positive experience [in Las Vegas] so it felt like he took a leap of faith to partner with XCMG. Now, when customers get their hands on it [an XCMG crane] and see what it can do, they’re sold,” Kristen said.
High Caliber & XCMG Celebrate One-Year Partnership
To mark the one-year anniversary between the two companies, High Caliber wanted to not only show off its product and partnership by displaying XCMG’s cranes, but also give back to those who had supported High Caliber from the get-go.
At only four years old and a relative newcomer to the industry, High Caliber is on track as a dealer to be reckoned with, due in large part because of Brian’s reputation.
According to those who have worked with Brian, he is at his heart, a man of his word, one who does the right thing and has the highest commitment to his customers. Brian’s reputation sold New York-based Osario Tree Service on one of High Caliber’s XCMG cranes on Sept. 16 of this year. They took possession of a second crane at the event on Oct. 24.
The one-day catered open house had, by Kristen’s estimation, an attendance of between 50-75 people, with customers flying or driving in from different parts of the country. It was, she added, a chance for customers to connect with XCMG and get their questions answered, as well as to show what the equipment could do.
“We really try and emphasize with our customers that most parts [of the equipment] are coming from the U.S. because that’s important to us. We are promoting U.S. jobs and factories, and we want to support our economy.”
This perception, more than anything, is something that Brian is trying to change with their customers, so they know that when they need something, High Caliber can supply it in a timely manner.
“We prioritize customer satisfaction, and it shows in our many repeat customers,” Brian said. “XCMG’s support will be a key factor in our ability to continue growing our sales, rental, parts and on-site, off-site and 24/7 offerings.”
“For a newer company, we try to solidify so much that we stand behind what we’re selling,” Kristen said. “People meeting us face to face solidifies that what we say is what we mean. Brian stands behind his word; he stands behind his customers and doesn’t want anyone to have a negative experience.”