Dean Machinery Co. Unveils New Headquarters in South Kansas City

Oct. 10, 2008
Dean Machinery Co., a Caterpillar dealer and Cat Rental Store in Kansas City, Mo., will open a new headquarters there today.

Dean Machinery Co., a Caterpillar dealer and Cat Rental Store in Kansas City, Mo., will open a new headquarters there today.

The 25-acre campus features two major buildings that provide more than 180,000 square feet of increased service bays, parts capacity and added state-of-the-art resources. With more than three times the space of the old headquarters, these buildings will enable Dean Machinery Co. to continue expanding its ability to provide sales, rental, parts and service to diverse business segments, according to Lori Dean, president, Dean Machinery Co.

“We made a significant commitment to build this facility,” Dean said. “It’s an important tool that was necessary to continue providing the best possible experience and most complete support resources to our customers.”

The main shop, which encompasses 27,000 square feet, can serve up to 18 large machines at once. It has an all-season climate management system with advanced contamination control to provide a consistent, maintained environment that supports quicker, longer-lasting service repairs while providing a comfortable year-round working environment for service technicians. Also included is a 45,000-square-foot warehouse for parts and inside component storage, providing significantly increased in-stock parts availability for more comprehensive support of customer needs. The main building also accommodates a 25,000 square-foot specialization shop, which features an enclosed clean room for longer-lasting hydraulic repairs and improved response times, minimizing contamination issues. A second building behind the main shop houses the track press, welding and fabrication areas, the machine shop and more. An additional 10 acres located just west of the current campus provides room for future growth.

The campus features the latest advances in sustainable technologies. The entire main facility is engineered as a closed environment, which means it’s sealed from the outside climate for more efficient energy use. The building is designed to take maximum advantage of natural light and motion detectors control lighting in many areas to reduce electrical usage. All possible materials are recycled — including paper, cardboard and plastics. The campus takes advantage of an array of onsite renewable energy sources — including waste oil, which is used for heating — and every chemical and cleaner is environmentally friendly, down to the hand soap used in the shop and restrooms. Even the golf carts that help employees travel around the sizeable campus are electric instead of gas-powered.

Dean Machinery Co. employs more than 320 people at 11 locations in Missouri and Kansas, including the Kansas City metropolitan area, Chillicothe, Sedalia, St. Joseph, Sunrise Beach, Mo. and Elwood, Kan. About 170 employees will move to the new headquarters. The Dean Rental Store remains at its current location.

“The new headquarters is a clear indication of our commitment to our customers, our employees, the industries we serve and the Kansas City community. It shows that we’re on track and growing for the future,” Dean said.

Founded by visionary businessman Lester Dean Sr. in 1955, Dean Machinery Co. provides complete Caterpillar equipment solutions, including sales of new equipment, rental equipment, parts and service to the construction, agriculture, power systems and transportation markets. The company, which is part of the Dean Operations family of companies, serves customers in 45 counties in eastern Kansas and western Missouri.