Customer Testimonials
Jenkins Logging and Louisiana Machinery Achieving Forestry Success
Citing the saying "you get what you pay for" Jenkins Logging looks at more than just the price when it comes down to purchasing equipment; they look at the service that comes along with it as well.
"I want someone who can take care of me because if my machine isn't running then I can't make money with it and I don't care what name is on the side of it. You have to have good service," said Johnny Jenkins, owner. "Service makes a huge difference with me."
Jenkins purchased the business in 1982 from his father R.J., a World War II veteran and lifelong logger. Today Jenkins Logging owns variety of Cat equipment including a 525C, 535C and 545C Wheel Skidders, a D5 Track-Type Tractor, a 320 Forest Machine, a 563 Feller Buncher and a 257 and 287C Multi-Terrain Loader.
Since minimal equipment downtime is of the utmost importance to every business in the logging industry, Jenkins counts on Louisiana Machinery for parts. "Most of the time we get our parts in Alexandria. If they don't have it they will have it there the next morning and they will do whatever needs to be done to do to get it to you," he mentioned. "They've got some good people at the Alexandria branch. They will help you any way they can." Jenkins Logging, which boasts 41 employees including Johnny's sons Josh and Buzz, operates mostly in the parishes of Vernon, Sabine, Natchitoches, De Soto and Beauregard, as well as occasionally in some areas in east Texas.
Averaging 14 loads per crew per day, Jenkins employees use Cat Skidders to grapple timber and transport it to the delimbing gate before taking it to the processor to be hauled to the mill. "When it comes to pulling timber out of creeks or off steep embankments, our Cat Skidders do very well," Josh Jenkins revealed. "The Skidder handles really well in wet areas and is lighter than its competition."
Despite the fact that old habits die hard, Johnny recounts a day when one of his seasoned employees was using a different brand of skidder on a thinning job. The skidder broke down; compelling the employee to use a 545C Cat Skidder for four days while the other one was repaired. "I went back out there a month later and he was still on the Cat," Johnny said. "I asked him what's wrong with the other piece of equipment and he said, Nothing, He just preferred the Cat. Later I swapped operators and he did the same thing. Both operators wound up preferring the 545C Skidder."
"Johnny, and his two sons Josh and Buzz have always been a pleasure doing business with, very honest and humbled people considering their success in the logging business," noted Tim Leger, Alexandria Sales Manager. "Johnny is very conscious of his logging jobs, often checking in on each job making sure they all have the tools they need to operate efficiently and effectively." The rugged 320 Forest Machine also comes in handy for loading wood onto the trucks. "It saves a lot of problems, way more that we ever thought," Johnny explained. "If you never had one you don't miss it, but if you ever run one it's hard to get away from. It really has a lot of positives to it." Noting their versatility and ease of use, Johnny said his truck drivers are able to take advantage of the Forest Machines mobility and move it whenever necessary. Operators can also set its lights for oncoming trucks, enabling them to continue operations during twilight hours.
As a vital part of operations, Jenkins employees also use D5's to clear land or roadways, and to pile brush. When he is not on a logging site, Johnny utilizes the unique track design and low ground pressure of Cat Multi Terrain Loaders. "I use them on a farm mixing feed for cattle," he said. "Plus we pick up hay out of the field and put hay in the barn with it, and we have a bucket to do dirt work with and we put up posts with an Auger."
"Mr. Jenkins success is due to his high professionalism and leadership. He knows his job costs which tell him when to replace his equipment. At all times he maintains an extremely high level of integrity," said Wayne Patterson, Louisiana Machinery Vice President / North General Manager. "Mr. Jenkins cares deeply for his employees who have great pride in their company." To learn more about how Louisiana Machinery can help your company succeed in the Forestry business, contact Louisiana Machinery today at 866-843-7440.
For more information, contact us at info@louisianamachinery.com
