Champion Motor Graders last week named Volvo Construction Equipment & Services in Seattle, and the G.W. Van Keppel Co. in Kansas City, Kan., as dealers.

VCES has 16 locations in Washington, which were purchased by Volvo Construction Equipment last year and operate as company-owned branches. “Our decision to carry the Champion Motor Grader line is definitely a response to our customers’ requests that we carry them,” said Brian Burke, vice president and general manager of VCES Seattle and Spokane. “We feel it will be a good fit for our road machinery business.”

Burke believes that both large and small paving and parking lot contractors and local municipalities will be important prospects for the motor graders.

G.W. Van Keppel was founded by its namesake in 1926 and is in its third generation of family ownership, with branch locations throughout Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri. The company provides new and used equipment sales and rentals, parts and service.