For municipal utility contractor CC Steel, completing a year’s worth of work in six months is the only option. In remote Fargo, North Dakota, the team uses that brief window to clean and jet before freezing conditions set in.
For that intense work period, CC Steel relies on its three Vactor units. Its total and unique customization are sure to make it a stand-out, but at CC Steel the sleek black look will fit right in.
“We call it the dark side,” said Mike Cebulla, President of CC Steel, of the customizations to their third Vactor unit. “My favorite color is black, and our fleet is black. Everything is black, which is an anomaly in this industry because it’s hard to clean.”
When it came time for CC Steel, who has two Vactor 2100 sewer cleaners, to get another Vactor Recycler, Cebulla worked with their dealer Sanitation Products Inc. and the Vactor team to “black out everything.”
“The end product is awesome,” said Cebulla. “We worked with Vactor, and they helped us understand the complexities of the build including the constraints, but they found a way. The Vactor team was willing to take that vision and make it a reality.”
The gloss black Vactor Recycler also features a matte black American flag in the background. For CC Steel, the customizations are a way to brand the company’s products and stand out in the market. The sleek look of CC Steel’s fleet also lends itself to a certain work attitude.
“We get tons of compliments on our fleet,” said Cebulla. “It looks professional, and our team conducts themselves in that professional manner. It’s a black tie affair in the service industry. We wear it with a sense of pride, and we think it helps with employee retention. It gives the operators a little prestige in an inglorious job. Plus, the technology is superior and has all the efficiency we need.”
CC Steel has found success in its professionalism. The contractor experienced explosive growth and doubled revenue in the past year.
“When you meet Mike and his crew, they really are professional and amazing,” said Neil Gerrity, Regional Sales Manager, Vactor. “You see it and feel it in everything they do, and that feeling will come across when they present this at the WWETT Show.”
As CC Steel begins working in other areas such as Kansas, the team is glad to have Vactor as their choice of equipment.
“The Vactor dealer network is integral to our customers’ success,” said Chris Haugrud, Owner and President of Sanitation Products Inc. “We don’t have a dealership in Kansas, but our dealer network is the best in the U.S. I reached out to a service manager in Kansas and asked them to treat CC Steel like their own customer. That allows them to keep moving and growing while still having the support they need. They know they can get back and someone is within a quick drive for parts and service.”
CC Steel is quick to also note its appreciation for that network.
“We feel like we have a very good support network,” said Cebulla. “We are a small minnow in the market, and they treat us like we’re their biggest client. You have to have a sense of reliability and trust that you can get going. Knowing that network and support is out there gives us peace of mind.”
For Sanitation Products Inc., Vactor and CC Steel, it’s a matter of working together to all go forward in the same direction. That team also includes Daimler Truck North America, which made the Freightliner chassis.
“We were excited to work on a customization like this,” said David Carson, Senior Vice President, Daimler Truck North America. “With our truck being specifically designed and built to withstand even the toughest of jobs and remain reliable, the Vactor Recycler is a great example of innovation and quality that can be delivered when teams work together.”
That level of detail and attention is something Cebulla noted his appreciation for.
“We’d be hard pressed to ever go back to anything else,” said Cebulla. “With our Vactor Recycler we have triple the efficiency. Having those common parts is only going to help as we grow.”