How The Crew Scaled Their Business with Used Equipment Financing

The Crew, a site work construction company, has built its success on passionate professionals and strong relationships, leveraging tailored support from Gregory Poole Cat® and Cat Financial to grow through reliable equipment, flexible financing, and long-term stewardship.

Cat^® Used Equipment Financing Case Study

CUSTOMER:

Covenant Crew (The Crew)

INDUSTRY:

Utilities and Infrastructure

SOLUTION:

Cat Used Equipment
Loans and Leases
Cat® Card
MyCatFinancial

LOCATION:

Zebulon, NC

DEALER:

Gregory Poole

of

Who Is The Covenant Crew?

Every successful project begins with solid groundwork, and the same applies to building a strong, well-supported team. For Harrison Smith, founder of The Crew, it's always been about more than equipment—it's about the team behind it. As a site work construction company, The Crew has built its reputation on a strong foundation of people-focused values and long-term relationships. With a thoughtful approach to acquiring equipment and a deep commitment to stewardship, The Crew emphasizes reliability and trust in every aspect of its operations. At the heart of the company's success is its dedication to working with passionate professionals and investing in growth.

"The best decision I ever made for my business was hiring passionate professionals," says Harrison Smith. "When we look at buying a machine, we're looking more at the people behind that machine that we want to buy from rather than the machine we're investing in."

Gregory Pool, Covenant Crew, & Cat Financial's Collaboration

One of Harrison's earliest experiences with his Cat dealer, Gregory Poole, came during his college years at NC State when he interned in his uncle's fleet department. It was there that he met Brian Metcalf, a longtime representative at Gregory Poole.

After graduating, Harrison kept in touch with Brian as he began building his new business from the ground up. When Harrison faced setbacks from early equipment purchases, Brian stepped in to provide crucial support.

"He's bought some equipment over the internet that didn't have any history," Brian recalls. "We were able to help them get out of those bad mistakes, ... and trade him out of it with some Cat Finance used machines."

As part of that support, Brian connected Harrison to Rob Horton, who was a territory manager for Cat Financial at the time. This gave The Crew access to valuable financing solutions. This connection made a big difference, opening doors to flexible financing options and expert support tailored to their unique needs as a new start-up company.

"Harrison obtained some work and was thinking about starting this company. And he wanted to acquire Caterpillar equipment," recalls Rob, Area Manager at Cat Financial. "And then we started to discuss where he wants to grow… and what he can start thinking about from a financial standpoint to be successful, to continue to get capital to scale his business."

Harrison and The Crew value working with real people, and thanks to Brian's introduction, they now have someone they can call, meet with, and collaborate with to solve problems.

of

How Did The Crew Finance Their Used Equipment?

When The Crew was just getting started, Rob helped them explore practical ways to grow by purchasing used equipment from Cat Financial's Regional Sales Center (RSC).

“As we learned more about Cat Financial, Rob was the one training us," says Harrison. "He was the one teaching us and letting us understand about these products and services that Cat Financial offers."

Rob introduced solutions that combined high-quality machines with lower upfront costs, along with support such as an Extended Protection Plan (EPP) and Cat® Customer Value Agreements by Cat Financial (CVAs). This approach gave Harrison and his team confidence that they were making a reliable, long-term investment.

Brian helped solidify that relationship by ensuring that the machines were inspected by Cat-certified technicians, which made a significant difference for The Crew. They stepped into ready-to-work machines, allowing them to focus on their jobs and purpose with peace of mind.

"It comes out pretty much dirt ready to go on the job site," says BJ Meier, Regional Used Equipment Manager for Cat Financial, referring to used machines from the RSC. "You get a consistent level of repair and inspection every time...so the end result is going to be a high-quality piece of equipment."

Ultimately, working with Cat Financial went beyond mere transactions; it fostered a long-term relationship built on trust, reliability, and solutions tailored to The Crew's growth ambitions.

How The Crew Used the Cat^® Card To Finance Parts, Repairs, and Services

As The Crew has expanded, it has deepened its relationship with Cat Financial to support a more flexible and sustainable growth path. From used machines to new equipment and rentals, The Crew can source the right equipment for every job. Cat Financial's range of support, including the Cat Card for parts, repairs, and services, has helped them manage cash flow while staying productive on the job site.

"We decide when to use the Cat Card based on the seasonality of our business," says Harrison. "And the Cat Card allows you to help bridge that gap between your busy season and your slower season."

By combining an EPP and CVA, they've gained long-term confidence in their equipment's performance and upkeep. These tools reduce unexpected costs and downtime, which is key for smaller operations without dedicated service teams.

"Having EPP and CVAs on your machines just overall brings you a good peace of mind knowing that your machine is protected in the long run and that you don't have to worry about unforeseen costs," adds Angel Hernandez, current Cat Financial Territory Manager supporting The Crew.

It's a practical approach that's allowed them to get the most value from every dollar and decision as they continue to grow.

of

How did The Crew Take Control of Their Financing Online?

For The Crew, managing money is about looking ahead, and that's where MyCatFinancial really comes in handy.

Lou Albero, Senior Finance Manager at The Crew, says MyCatFinancial makes it easy to see where they stand with every loan. "It provides amortization schedules. As an accountant, that's what you need. You can do auto-pay...We can print out transactions going back to the first of the loan. It gives you very detailed information on all the loans we have outstanding...It's one-stop shopping. Everything is included on that website."

That clarity helps them plan ahead and maintain a steady cash flow. Whether they're looking at a new project or deciding between renting or buying, MyCatFinancial gives them the numbers they need, fast.

The Crew relies on MyCatFinancial as a vital tool to stay on top of their leases, loans, and Cat Card transactions with ease and transparency. Having instant access to all their financial documents means they no longer waste time tracking down paperwork or waiting on customer service, allowing them to focus more on their projects.

"It really gives them that self-sufficient access," said Hernandez. "They can just log on to MyCatFinancial.com and have access to all of their information online."

of

A Game-Changer for New Businesses

For start-ups like The Crew, collaborating early with a Cat dealer and Cat Financial isn't just a smart move; it's a game-changer. With tailored financing options, robust equipment protection plans, and trusted representatives by their side, new businesses can confidently invest in the equipment they need.

By connecting with their Cat dealer and Cat Financial rep from the start, The Crew had a clear path to equipment ownership with manageable payment plans. That support gave them room to grow without constantly worrying about how to pay for their next machine or unforeseen repairs.

"I felt like [Cat Financial] did business with us based on a relationship. They didn't have this perfect data set and history to go look at. What they had were the people that make up The Crew, and they went and lent based on the people and what we do," says Harrison.

For any start-up looking to break ground and build something lasting, Cat Financial offers a foundation to grow on.

Featured Used Equipment Financing Solutions

MyCatFinancial

Manage your account with MyCatFinancial. Select your country and language to learn more.
Manage My Account

View

The Cat® Card: A Better Way to Pay for Parts & Services

The Cat® Card is the quick, convenient way to get the parts and services you need for your equipment. Discover ways this unsecured line of credit can help your business or fill out the application in just 5-7 minutes.
Get Details

View

Cat® Extended Protection & Insurance Options

Protect your Cat^® equipment, power systems, and your business with extended protection and insurance options from Cat Financial.
See Your Options

View

Cat® Customer Value Agreements

Whether you’re building our communities, harnessing Cat® powered equipment for a variety of needs or mining materials that keep our world working—a Customer Value Agreement (CVA) helps you get the most from your equipment and your business.
Learn More

View

HAVE A QUESTION?

If you have a question about financial solutions, our Cat dealers are happy to talk with you.

Contact Your Local Cat Dealer

KEEP BUILDING YOUR FINANCIAL KNOW-HOW

Explore more insights, tips, and real-world stories to help you make confident financial decisions for your business.

Back to the Finance Blog

Get the Latest Stories Sent Directly to Your Inbox.

Subscribe Now

Find Your Dealer

How The Crew Scaled Their Business with Used Equipment Financing