On the Road with Takeuchi

Serving North Carolina: A Visit with CCS Equipment Sales

By: Stephen Odum, Takeuchi National Marketing Manager

In early June, it was time for me to hit the road once again. This time, my travels took me through North Carolina’s Piedmont and Triangle regions, where rapid growth continues to fuel demand for construction equipment despite one of the driest springs in recent memory.

On this trip, I spent three days with CCS Equipment Sales, giving me an opportunity to see some of North Carolina’s fastest-growing communities, visit active jobsites and spend time with the people who have helped make CCS the current Takeuchi Dealer of the Year.

Family owned, customer driven

Founded in 1998, CCS Equipment Sales is a family-owned and operated dealership with locations in Youngsville, Angier, and Ayden. Together, these three locations serve customers across the eastern two-thirds of North Carolina with equipment sales, rentals, parts, and service support.

As the current Takeuchi Dealer of the Year, CCS has built a reputation for putting customer support at the center of everything they do. After spending time with their team, it became clear that their philosophy is remarkably simple. “We answer the phone,” one CCS team member told me. “If a customer needs help, we’re going to be there for them.” That mindset surfaced repeatedly throughout the trip. Whether we were talking with contractors at a jobsite, meeting technicians in the service department, or discussing parts availability at the dealership, the focus was always the same—keeping customers productive.

During my visit, I toured the Youngsville and Angier locations and met employees from every part of the business. The dealerships were busy during our visit. Salespeople were meeting with customers and demoing machines, and there was a constant flow of contractors coming through the lot picking up rental equipment and grabbing parts. Employees at CCS know their customers, understand their equipment needs and take pride in helping solve problems quickly. Each person was greeted with a handshake and a smile, and often, a brief conversation about work and family. CCS operates like a family business, and their interactions with customers reflected that.

Takeuchi machines at work

CCS’s customer-first approach became even more apparent once we left the dealership and visited contractors in the field. The jobsites we visited provided a perfect example of CCS Equipment’s support in action.

The dry conditions I had noticed throughout the region were especially apparent on these sites. Dust followed machines across freshly graded ground, and contractors told us they had seen very little measurable rainfall in recent weeks. While the lack of rain created challenging conditions, crews were taking advantage of the weather to keep projects moving forward.

At one new residential development, crews were using multiple Takeuchi machines, including compact track loaders and compact excavators, to perform grading, utility installation and site preparation work. Across the rapidly expanding Triangle region, projects like this are becoming increasingly common as new neighborhoods continue to push outward from Raleigh and Durham.

At another site, crews were constructing a large apartment complex using a fleet that included another , along with and excavators. The combination of compact machines and larger excavation equipment allowed crews to efficiently move between utility work, material handling and grading tasks throughout the development.

One of the most unique stops came near Raleigh-Durham International Airport, where Carolina Conduit Services was using a excavator as part of ongoing infrastructure improvements connected to RDU’s long-term growth plans. The airport is currently undergoing a multi-billion-dollar modernization program that will expand facilities and support future passenger growth. Watching a Takeuchi machine at work on such a significant project was a reminder of the important role construction equipment plays in shaping the communities in which we live and travel through every day.

Another memorable stop involved the construction of a new Chipotle restaurant where a Takeuchi compact track loader was handling site preparation and grading work. The contractor who owns the TL11R3 had plenty of praise for the machine. “The TL11 has basically replaced our need for a dozer on jobsites like this,” he said. “It’s got the power to move dirt, push rock and handle grading work without bringing in another machine.”

As the machine worked across the site, it was easy to see why. The TL11R3’s powerful operating performance, impressive pushing power and smooth electrohydraulic (EH) controls allowed the operator to make precise grading adjustments while maintaining productivity throughout the day. Whether moving material, shaping the site, or handling rough grading, the machine demonstrated the versatility that has made it a favorite among contractors.

A taste of North Carolina

Of course, no road trip is complete without experiencing some local flavor. One afternoon, we stopped for lunch at in downtown Wake Forest. Serving customers since 1916, the historic restaurant remains a local favorite and provided the perfect quick lunch before heading back out to visit customers.

The trip also included plenty of North Carolina barbecue. Like most things in the South, everyone seems to have an opinion about who serves the best barbecue, and the conversations around the table were nearly as enjoyable as the food itself.

Excellence in action

By the end of the trip, one thing was abundantly clear: CCS Equipment Sales has earned its recognition as Takeuchi Dealer of the Year. Their success isn’t built solely on equipment sales. It’s built on answering the phone, showing up when customers need help, providing strong parts and service support and standing behind every machine they sell.

For nearly three decades, CCS has served contractors throughout North Carolina with that simple philosophy. After spending time with their employees and customers, it’s easy to understand why so many contractors continue to rely on CCS Equipment Sales year after year.

Congratulations to CCS Equipment Sales on being named Takeuchi Dealer of the Year and thank you for allowing me to spend time with your team, your customers, and the communities you proudly serve across North Carolina.