Amelia Serrano stands in a new building at Mid Country Machinery and MCM Rents in Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, on March 15. The business is in the middle of a $1 million building project.Â
Tim Hynds, Sioux City Journal
Construction materials are shown at Mid Country Machinery and MCM Rents in Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, on March 15. The company started in Fort Dodge, Iowa.
SERGEANT BLUFF | Mid Country Machinery has nearly completed a major business renovation, with a more usable building to replace the current facility along Eighth Street.
Founded in 1997 with a headquarters in Fort Dodge, Iowa, privately-owned Mid County Machinery is a heavy equipment dealer that also has locations in Waterloo, Iowa, and Sergeant Bluff.
Co-owner Bob Conaway said the existing facility was a former Federal Express location and the new place added adjacently will be slightly bigger and more modern. The new building, which is slated to open by May 1, will have bigger bays to more readily accommodate large construction equipment.
"It is all about being efficient, because it is a competitive market out there. Our competition is expanding, and efficiency is the name of the game," Conaway said.
Ceilings will be higher, doors will be wider and the bays will be drive-through.The existing bays have one entrance, which now necessitates backing out.
Additionally, the facility will have more office space, a conference room and a locker room for employees.
Mid Country first opened in Sergeant Bluff in January 2009. Construction on the new building, which will be 15,000 square feet, began in October 2012. The cost will be above $1 million.
Conaway said Mid Country prides itself on being a one-stop equipment dealer, covering both new and used pieces, but with a definite focus on used. The equipment includes backhoes, bulldozers, excavators, loaders, forklifts and crushing equipment.
Mid Country Machinery has an extensive inventory of new equipment and also high-quality used equipment. Mid Country has Kobelco, New Holland, JLG, Hartl Powercrusher and SkyTrak lines of equipment, along with inventory from Caterpillar, John Deere and others.
"No matter what kind of brand someone is looking for, we are known that at Mid Country, 'Well, call Mid Country, they will have it.' That's really helped our business," Conaway said.
One portion of the business, MCM Rents, handles equipment rentals. Conaway added that the business has a helpful and knowledgeable parts and service department.
The 16-year-old company also had another recent addition. In 2008, Mid Country constructed of a 15,000 square foot facility in Fort Dodge to better serve customers.
Amelia Serrano stands in a new building at Mid Country Machinery and MCM Rents in Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, on March 15. The business is in the middle of a $1 million building project.Â
