For nearly 12 years, husband and wife team Jerry and Mary Sauer have operated Excavator Rental Services (ERS) with such integrity that it managed to not only stay afloat when the economy took a downturn, but thrive. Now the Camas-based company is enjoying a vibrant construction market by offering sought-after services that free up capital for area contracting companies.
ERS rents, sells and services contractor equipment throughout Washington and Oregon, and it all started at their Fern Prairie home in early 2005. Two years ago, the company consolidated by purchasing a 64,000-square-foot building on six acres from the Tidland Corporation who continue to lease space.
“They’re co-tenants and great tenants to have. Everybody works side-by-side. We could not ask for a better scenario,” said Jerry, setting the tone for his view on just about everyone he encounters.
Last year, ERS bought Your Rental Center, which had been locally-owned and operated in Hood River for 38 years. The owners were looking to scale back on work hours but still be a part of the industry.
“We agreed to buy out Chuck Johnisee (of Your Rental Center),” Sauer explained. “He was a stalwart in that community in Hood River. He just did an amazing job being part of the community.”
Today, Johnisee continues to manage Your Rental Center and Sauer said ERS feels fortunate to have his expertise to draw from.
After purchasing Your Rental Center, ERS acquired another business entity with surprising similarities: Your Party Center (renamed Your Party & Event Center) is an event rental company with showrooms in Hood River and Camas. When the ERS client base learned of the Sauer’s new acquisition, business steadily increased. To ensure success in this niche market, ERS also purchased Abacus Event Rental out of Ridgefield. The two owners who’d grown the business over the last decade were retained to take the party and event division to the next level.
In the spring of 2016, ERS expanded yet again with a heavy equipment division in Wilsonville, Oregon that services as far south as Salem. Sauer said he had been looking in that area for a couple years until finding the right spot with a 10,000-square-foot building on two acres.
“We have so much heavy equipment going over there,” he said. “Our techs were spending too much time on the road so that was a natural expansion.”
Within their three locations and subsidiary divisions, ERS currently employs 72 people. Sauer shared that growth has been steadily doubling every two years with a 45 percent projected increase for 2016.
Drawing from his previous work experience as a John Deere dealer covering Southwest Washington and the Gorge for many years, Sauer said he believes the industry is all about relationships and providing superior customer service.
Paul Hanson, HR/risk manager for Rotschy, Inc. concurred. After being awarded the contract for the SR-502 widening from I-5 to Battle Ground, Rotschy subsidized their inventory with rented machinery from ERS.
“Great Company,” Hanson said. “ERS is a valuable resource for our heavy equipment rental needs. They are proactive in having high demand equipment in stock. They are the premier rental company for our industry. We have a great working relationship with Jerry (Sauer) and his employees.
Excellent knowledge of our type of work, great response times (and) a good selection of late model equipment.”
Rentals for everyone
Do-it-yourselfers have not been left out of the mix. Farm, aerial, lawn and garden machinery and equipment can all be rented from ERS.
When Washougal-based Totem Rent-All closed its doors, Sauer brought on long-time owner, Wally Grover, and soon after hired Jim Mackenzie who ran the Parkrose Rental Division. From aerial work platforms to scissor lifts, concrete saws, pressure washers, tractors, grills, rotisseries, hand tools, rototillers and everything in between, it can all be had at ERS without the hassle of ownership and maintenance.
“Those guys (Grover and Mackenzie) understand homeowner’s stuff. We have the largest inventory of that stuff in Clark County,” said Sauer.
Not surprising, The Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce recently named Jerry and Mary Sauer as their 2016 Businesspersons of the Year.
Thirsty Third Thursday
As a board member of the Southwest Washington Contractor’s Association, Sauer said he’s excited to have ERS sponsor the next Thirsty Third Thursday event and is parlaying the morning into a fundraiser. August 18 from 4-6 p.m., SWCA members and interested guests are invited to tour the ERS showroom and enjoy complimentary refreshments. Earlier that day, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. the company is hosting a safety training day. Four-hour course certifications on either Forklift Training or Aerial Lift Training will be offered and ERS will donate the fee back to SWCA.
Excavator Rental Services
754 S.E. Union St. Camas Founded 2005 Employees: 72 www.excavatorrentalservices.com
