Tom Sexton and Chuck Holler grew up about a football field’s length away from each other, although they were more acquaintances than friends.
“We knew each other because we lived so close, but Chuck’s a lot older than me so we really didn’t hang out together,” Sexton joked. Actually, the two are close to the same age. “We did, however, end up in the same industry doing maintenance on oil wells, pulling rods and pumps, either fixing or replacing them. I mentioned to a mutual friend that I was considering doing something on my own. He said Chuck was talking about the same thing. We got together, discussed it and decided to go into business together pulling wells. In 2012, we formed LASAL, LLC.”
The co-owners acknowledged that early on times were fairly rough. Determination, perseverance, hard work, a willingness to explore other opportunities and some assistance kept them moving forward and eventually helped the Water Valley, Texas, company take off and expand.
“There was a time when we maxed out credit cards and were broke,” Sexton recalled. “My mom loaned us the money to buy our own pulling unit or rig, which was in San Antonio. We used the last of our own money to buy diesel to put in it and drive it back. It broke down three or four times along the way. We had to fix it with baling wire to get it home. We managed to make it work until we could finish one job and get paid, then did the same again and again.”
Going where others won’t
Eight years later, LASAL, LLC has multiple pulling units. It also owns several pieces of construction equipment that Holler and Sexton acquired through the years as they transitioned toward more earthwork services. The company now covers the entire state of Texas with a staff that averages 15 people, and sometimes includes Sexton’s mother, Kay Augustine, who operates an excavator.
“The business really took off five years ago when we branched out from strictly being an oilfield servicer to a more construction-related business,” said Holler. “A lot of our work is still for the same customers, but now we’re clearing and building rights-of-way to give them access to their projects. We’re doing the same for power companies on wind turbine sites.
“We consider ourselves a bit of a niche business with a focus on things others are not willing to do,” he added. “That means clearing brush in areas so thick you can’t walk in them or making a path through terrain with 50-foot sand dunes, mountainous areas or other tough ground conditions. Our customers appreciate that we will find a way to get them where they need to be in order to do their work.”
The emphasis on earthwork came about in part because Sexton and Holler have always taken a “never say no” approach to the business.
“My sister put me in touch with someone who needed a dozer and help near Odessa,” Sexton said. “I told him we could do it, even though we were not really equipment operators. This was on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. We rented a dozer, and took an operator with us. He ran the rented machine, and Chuck and I operated some dozers that this guy already had on the site. It was freezing cold and rainy, and his dozers had open cabs. Fortunately, Chuck and I had recently returned from an elk hunting trip in Colorado, so we had cold-weather gear to wear. We worked all night, and when we were done, we had to break ice off of ourselves. We are still working with that customer today.”
Holler added, “We have numerous instances like that where we helped someone in a bind. In some cases, we had to find the equipment and personnel within a few hours, which always impresses the customer. It’s doing whatever it takes to please them, which pays off. For instance, when we finished a job for one client, he told us how in the past he called whoever he could get a hold of to do his work, and they would often not want to or couldn’t do the job. He said, ‘You always answer and take care of it.’ So, we drew up a contract and built a working relationship that’s still active.”
Building a fleet with Kirby-Smith
During college, Sexton worked for a company that rented Komatsu equipment. In the early days, he and Holler did the same.
“We had a friend with a D41 dozer who we hired a few times to help,” said Holler. “It was an impressive machine, so we bought a used one. Shortly after, we needed some assistance with service, so we contacted Kirby-Smith, and from that day on we have had a great relationship.”
LASAL, LLC quickly added a second D41, and before long acquired a D39EX-24. Recently, the owners added D51EX-24 and D65EX-17 models to their fleet.
“They are multipurpose machines,” stated Holler. “In addition to clearing, grubbing and moving dirt, we use them to move trailers onto jobsites where a truck can’t get into because of the ground conditions, and we have pulled trucks out of muddy situations. We really like the smaller Komatsu dozers because we do a lot of emergency work. We can put them on a trailer quickly and get them to the jobsite without worrying about permits.”
Sexton added, “Every one of them performs great. In addition, we and our guys like Komatsu dozers because the cabs are quiet and the ride is comfortable, so we can run them for hours and not feel beat up. The benefit is increased production. We have tried other brands, but nothing beats Komatsu dozers.”
Holler and Sexton acquired their newest dozers with the assistance of Kirby-Smith Machinery Territory Manager Todd Coffey. He has also helped them purchase a WA320-8 wheel loader that the firm uses to move materials at a pit it runs, backfill on project sites, clear brush and more; a PC170LC-11 excavator for clearing, grubbing and other earthwork; and Takeuchi skid steers with Fecon mulching heads. LASAL, LLC works with representatives of Kirby-Smith’s Abilene branch for parts and service support, including Parts and Service Sales Representative Cody Christopher and Service Manager Garrett Lindley.
“They guided us to the right machines for the jobs we do and make sure when we need something that we get it as soon as possible,” said Holler. “Kirby-Smith tracks our newer machines with KOMTRAX and calls when one is ready for service under Komatsu CARE, schedules it and takes care of it at a convenient time. That’s added value we appreciate.”
Expanding with wind energy
Holler and Sexton have already taken steps toward expanding their business. They recently began working in the wind energy market and are exploring doing more in that arena.
“Ideally, we would like to become a primary contractor for large wind farm projects within 100 miles of our home base,” said Holler.
“There is some interest in other markets, such as residential and commercial site work and highway projects, but there are numerous people already in that type of work,” added Sexton. “Right now, we believe it’s best if we stick with what we know and are good at.”
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