LE SILLON
A John Deere PublicationComplete Excavating
Winter 2024
Stalwart Standards
Building a Legacy From The Ground Up
4 MIN READ
On a wide, rolling swath of land on the western edge of Kansas City, Missouri, a flurry of activity is taking place.
The rev of engines and clang of hammers coalesce to form a wall of sound that fills the crisp morning air. A parade of trucks comes and goes from the expansive jobsite. Passersby pause briefly to examine the progress.
This parcel soon will house six new apartment buildings that will collectively include 72 units. In Kansas City, a metro area struggling to meet growing demand for affordable housing, such a project is a breath of fresh air and a major step forward.
"When this job is finished, it's going to be great for this area," says Chad Abbott, the owner/president of Complete Excavating. "This will create so many opportunities for people living here."
The project is a major collaborative effort that involves multiple area contractors. But the rest of the work can't begin until Abbott's operation has done its part.
Complete Excavating is handling the dirt work that precedes the other parts of the project — stabilizing foundations, putting in building pads, and providing the structure needed to start building.
It's an essential part of a critical housing project — and it's being carried out by a contractor with fewer than two dozen employees. Abbott, however, doesn't see his company's size as a liability. He views it as an asset.
"The way I see it, being a smaller company isn't some kind of disadvantage," says Abbott, a gray beard framing his face. "It allows us to keep a closer eye and ensure top quality. I actually think it gives us a bit of an edge."
Leading By Example
Abbott strides across the jobsite with an acute awareness of everything around him. He's connected to everything — the machines, the earth, and, most of all, the employees.
Peering out from behind a pair of dark sunglasses, he's the embodiment of confidence and calm. He swears it hasn't always been that way, though. Abbott launched Complete Excavating in 2006, unsure if it would be a success or a flop.
"It was a huge risk," he says matterof-factly. "And there was a lot of anxiety. There were busy days and there were sleepless nights."
His fledgling company landed a few jobs and executed them to perfection. That led to satisfied customers and positive word of mouth.
"It sounds pretty simple, but we grew because we did a good job," Abbott says with a chuckle. "We got hired for one job and it turned into multiple jobs."
Start small. Build the foundation. Watch it grow from there.
As Abbott was building the business, his young son Damen Abbott was shrewdly observing it all.
"I watched him put in the work," says Damen, who has now been an employee at Complete Excavating for seven years. "I don't think my dad ever said, 'Here's what you need to do or here's how you have to work.' He just lived it. And I learned from that example. I knew I wanted to follow that path."
"When this job is finished, it's going to be great for this area."
Getting It Done
Damen Abbott is the type of guy who believes there is a time and place for everything. Outside of his machine, he is affable and approachable, happy to swap stories with his co-workers. Inside the cab, though, he's all business.
"It's work," he says flatly. "There is a job to get done, and I need to make it happen. It takes what it takes."
Getting that job done right requires the right tools. And the newest addition to the Complete Excavating fleet, the John Deere 331 P-Tier Compact Track Loader, certainly fits the bill.
"It is incredible," Damen says, a wide smile stretching across his face. "You've got the heated leather seats, the push- button layout, and the integrated computer system with a bigger screen. It has very clear views all around it, and with the backup camera, you can see around the machine very easily."
The 331 works alongside the Deere 50 P-Tier Excavator, another compact machine that's tasked with doing the heavy lifting.
"They work hand-in-hand together to get it done," Damen says. "On this job, we're cutting into that big shale and moving heavy rock. The 331 and the 50 are both powerhouses."
While operators like Damen reap the rewards of new machines, it's ultimately his father who makes the final purchase decisions. Both the 331 and 50 meet the standard he has set.
"At the end of the day, these machines need to keep up with what we ask them to do," Chad says. "They get worked hard. It's demanding. We need machines that are dependable and keep us moving."
"They work hand-in-hand together to get it done. The 331 and 50 are both powerhouses."
Built To Last
Chad expects the same out of the people who work for him and who work with him.
Will Arens, compact equipment sales manager for John Deere dealer Murphy Tractor & Equipment Co., has worked closely with Complete Excavating for the past three years.
"What blows me away is they are doing these large-scale jobs, and they're somewhat of a small-scale operation," Arens says. "I'm proud to work with them."
Chad views Arens as an extension of his own team. "I never have any issues with Murphy," he emphasizes as he looks across the jobsite at Arens.
It's high praise coming from a man who views relationships as an essential part of a successful business.
"Relationships make all the difference in the world," he says, pausing to let the words sink in. "I don't treat my people like a number, and I think that goes a long way."
Whether it's the apartments his company is helping construct for Kansas City residents, or the livelihoods he's building for his tight-knit staff, Chad always has the bigger picture in mind.
Create a strong foundation and watch it grow from there.
"I think that's the key to building something that lasts," he says.
Complete Excavating is serviced by Murphy Tractor & Equipment Co., Kansas City, Missouri.
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A John Deere 331 P-Tier Compact Track Loader and 50 P-Tier Excavator working together to dig and remove rock.
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