Canada’s first Bobcat dealership, located in Windsor, Ontario, has a new owner. Starting Sept. 1, Oaken Holdings, the company that operates Bobcat of Toronto and Bobcat of Barrie, is taking ownership of Bobcat of Windsor from Carrier Centers Equipment.
The Windsor location first opened in 1972 as a Jacobs Farm Equipment dealership, officially bringing Bobcat equipment to Canada. The dealership was purchased by Carrier Centers about seven years ago.
“Oaken is extremely excited to purchase and enter into the Windsor market, which is home to the first Bobcat dealership in Canada,” said company President Kai Sørensen. “We’re looking forward partnering with a solid team and loyal customers throughout Windsor-Essex as we continue growing the business and support customers in the region.”
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Oaken became a Bobcat dealer in 2013, after purchasing two Bobcat operations from Hertz Matthews in the Toronto and Barrie, Ontario markets.
“At the time, we had 18 employees and the mission to rejuvenate the Bobcat brand throughout Central Ontario,” Sørensen said.
Oaken decided to sell Bobcat equipment based on the brand’s reputation and more than 70 years in compact equipment manufacturing.
“Bobcat equipment offers the best power, performance and comfort in compact construction equipment,” Sørensen said, adding “Bobcat’s constant innovation and state-of-the-art technology offers customers protection and efficiency, through features like Machine IQ and Bobcat MaxControl.”
Since its first acquisitions in 2013, the company has now expanded to nearly 70 employees across three locations and supports its customers via sales, parts, service and rental departments. As well, the company has eight service trucks on the road and more than 20 certified technicians between its dealerships.
“With a full focus on being trusted partners for our customers, Oaken is dedicated to providing outstanding customer service to ensure long, reliable equipment performance,” Sørensen said. “Even as the company grows, we take great pride in maintaining family-owned and operated values and attitudes. In striving to achieve our commitment to provide world class service to our customers, we maintain the largest inventory of Bobcat equipment, attachments and parts throughout Canada.”
With the acquisition of the Windsor branch, Oaken now provides Bobcat equipment to the Greater Toronto Area, Simcoe County and Windsor Essex County.
Oaken is also now moving into new markets, following Bobcat’s recent introduction of 15 new tractor models, ranging from 21 to 58 horsepower with four transmission types.
“Our customer base ranges from large scale construction and demolition companies to small business landscapers and grounds maintenance crews,” Sørensen said. “With the introduction of the new Bobcat compact tractor line last year, we’ve begun successfully moving into the farm and large acreage market.”
The Bobcat of Windsor branch will be working out of a temporary location starting Sept. 1, at 4880 Walker Road as the company scouts for a permanent location.
