Ahead of Schedule and Back in Business
Foley's Machine Rebuild Center helps Sporer get back to work, faster than ever.
Clayton Wilson knows a good machine when he sees one. As vice president of Sporer Land Development, he’s spent decades in the dirt, running and maintaining the heavy equipment that keeps his company moving forward.So, when he recently stopped by Foley Equipment to check on a Cat® D9T dozer mid-rebuild, it wasn’t just a casual visit. He was there to witness firsthand how Foley was bringing one of Sporer’s workhorses back to life.
“We got this dozer about five years ago, and it hasn’t sat still since we bought it,” Wilson says. “But it’s had a pretty easy life, so the frame — the heart of it — is still in great shape. That makes it a perfect candidate for a rebuild.”
Dollars saved, performance restored
If anyone knows rebuilds, it’s Wilson. This D9T marks the sixth machine Sporer has rebuilt with Foley, and for Wilson, the decision was easy.“We know what we’ve got with this dozer,” he says. “Rebuilt is about half the price of buying new, and we’re not dealing with operators having to learn the ins and outs of a new machine. It just makes sense.”
The choice to rebuild isn’t only about saving money. It’s also about keeping a machine that operators already know and trust — while giving it like-new performance.
That matters to the people behind the controls, who often form strong connections with their equipment. Wilson is no exception.
“I ran one machine for 17,000 hours,” he says. “If I had to get in something today, I’d still choose that one.”
Faster turnaround, same high standards
Though Wilson isn’t new to rebuilds, he is new to Foley’s dedicated rebuild center. And it didn’t take long for him to see the benefits.
Sporer has long valued the advantages of the Cat Certified Rebuild process: like-new performance at a fraction-of-new cost, the latest engineering and technology updates, even a new parts warranty on all replaced components.
“It felt pretty good to come around the corner and see the progress,” Wilson says. That’s largely thanks to the new rebuild center, which opened in Kansas City in late 2024.
Designed to streamline the rebuild process while maintaining the same high levels of quality, the facility helps Foley technicians return like-new machines to customers even faster. Clearly, it’s working.
“When we first talked with Sporer about this rebuild, they told us they’d love to have it done in the spring,” says Shane Ham, Foley Equipment’s chief operating officer. “We turned it around in time for their busy season.”
In fact, the rebuilt D9T is headed straight from Foley’s rebuild center to Hoxie, Kansas, where it will tackle a half-million-yard dirt-moving project as part of a six-mile highway overhaul.
“That’s the thing about rebuilding,” Wilson says. “You’re not just getting a machine back. You’re getting the reliability and performance you need for the next big job.”
A partnership that goes beyond equipment
In addition to rebuilding equipment, Foley helps keep Sporer’s operation moving in other ways.Founded in the 1960s, Sporer has grown into a regional powerhouse in highway and road construction, with 70 employees working across Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Colorado. Cat equipment, including the rebuilt D9T, plays a critical role in large-scale grading, excavation and paving projects.
Keeping that fleet running efficiently requires reliable parts, service and support.
“We move a lot of equipment,” Wilson says. “Having access to parts when we need them is a huge advantage. That’s always been a big benefit of working with Foley.”
Over the years, the two companies have faced challenges together, and always found solutions that make the relationship stronger.
“Both Sporer and Foley have integrity as a core value,” says Scott Tolley, a Foley Equipment senior product support manager. “We work hard every day to be a great partner to the Sporer team and are honored they continue to place their trust in us.” Wilson can confirm that’s true.
“They take care of us,” he says. “If something goes wrong, they make it right.”
Built to work…and built on trust
With the rebuilt D9T headed back to work, the team at Sporer knows they’re getting more than a refreshed machine. They’re getting reliability they can count on. “We knew what we had, and we knew we could trust Foley to bring it back to life,” Wilson says.
That trust has been built through decades of collaboration.
“This is a generational relationship business,” Ham says. “We’ve worked with Sporer for years, and we’re proud to be part of their success. It’s not just about selling or servicing machines. It’s about making sure they have what they need to keep their business running.”
And when the next rebuild rolls around, Sporer knows exactly where to turn.