Navigating Success with Intelligent Machine Control and Exceptional Service

At the heart of our success stories are clients like Road to Rail Construction, a ﬂourishing startup that has rapidly gained prominence in the construction and rail industry over the past two years. Oﬃcially established in November of 2021, the company is spearheaded by Matt Reber, the President and owner. They have grown exponentially and become a vital player in the construction landscape of Alberta, boasting a ﬂeet of over 40 machines operated by highly skilled crews.

The company oﬃcially initiated its operations when Brandon and Matt, longtime friends, combined their construction and aggregate production expertise. With a vision of providing comprehensive earthworks services, they strategically aligned their construction activities with the needs of gravel pits, fostering a symbiotic relationship. The company's diversiﬁcation strategy extends beyond construction, including a trucking division supporting their operations' gravel and civil aspects.

Road to Rail Construction's approach to equipment acquisition is equally strategic. With a wide range of small and large excavators, dozers and wheel loaders, their mixed fleet allows them to bid on a wide range of earthmoving projects and offer diverse solutions to their clients on the rental side. They adhere to three criteria when investing in new machinery—applicability to gravel pit, construction, or rental operations. This meticulous model ensures year-round equipment utilization, creating a sustainable and robust business model.

As Road to Rail Construction continues its remarkable trajectory in the construction and rail industry, the focus for SMS Equipment remains on equipping clients with state-of-the-art tools for enhanced eﬃciency and productivity. Matt’s affinity to the Komatsu product line is largely due to their addition of advanced technology, such as proactive dozing control in their dozers and bucket angle hold control in their excavators.

These kinds of features shorten the learning curve for new operators and greatly improves their efficiency, which is important in an industry with such a high turnover rate.

The Intelligent Machine Control 2.0 from Komatsu has played a pivotal role in Road to Rail Construction's success story. Matt underscores the significance of advancements in machine control technology, such as GPS and automated grading systems, which have transformed the construction landscape, providing a level of precision and automation that was previously unimaginable.

Tarren Pidherney, a key force behind Road to Rail Construction’s expansion, emphasizes the convenience of Intelligent Machine Control 2.0. "It’s created such an ease of process. Time and time again, we’ll have an unexpected need for it, and all of our equipment is integrated with it, so it's always there. Having it always on site is a huge convenience factor for us."

When asked about the importance of service, Matt underscored the invaluable role of support provided by SMS Equipment in streamlining their operations.

"We don’t run Komatsu just because of the machine itself, we run Komatsu because of the support we get from SMS Equipment. Their preventative maintenance programs and their on-site service make them an important partner for us in the field."

When it comes to support, Travis Wolfe, the Product Support Representative from SMS Equipment, added, "We aim always to offer 24-7 support. Whether it’s during business hours or not, our support system is always available to them. We meet them when and where they are to achieve maximum uptime."

The significance of service and support in the equipment provider selection process is paramount for Matt. While speaking on SMS Equipment, he mentions, "They've always been there for us. In this industry, the number one thing that every contractor needs is to make sure that they're taken care of as well as the equipment. We know breakdowns happen, so buying the right machine is only half the battle. The other half is keeping it running and keeping it proﬁtable."

Chris McRae, an SMS Equipment Sales Representative, echoes this sentiment. “One of our core values is ‘performance-focused’, centered around our customers, which means we service what we sell. Providing an ironclad warranty is crucial to us, and it helps us ensure that these machines' total owning and operating cost is as low as possible for our customers.”

In the competitive construction and rail industry, client relationships are pivotal. Matt emphasizes the role of these relationships in the success of Road to Rail Construction, particularly the support received from SMS Equipment. "Like I said, it's a relationship you just can't put a price on.”

Looking ahead, Road to Rail Construction has already made significant strides. Matt and his team plan to capitalize on their successful projects, maintain client relationships, and explore new opportunities. The commitment to quality service, cutting-edge equipment, and a sustainable business approach positions Road to Rail Construction for continued success in the dynamic construction and rail industry.

The versatility of Road to Rail Construction has allowed it to achieve steady year-over-year growth since its inception. The company is poised to maintain this momentum, strategically focusing on projects where they have excelled while exploring new avenues for expansion.

Road to Rail Construction remains a testament to the power of innovation, strategic planning, and robust partnerships in achieving sustainable growth and success as they continue to carve their path in the construction and rail industry.