Growing up with construction in his blood, Mike Gawel was destined to follow in the footsteps of his father, a homebuilder, and his uncles, who specialized in excavating. From an early age, he was fascinated by the heavy machinery on jobsites, often finding himself more interested in the excavators and bulldozers than the carpentry work.
“I’ve been jumping in and out of machines since I was nine or 10 years old,” Mike recalls.
This hands-on experience from such a young age set the foundation for his future career. After taking agricultural mechanics classes in high school which furthered his love for operating machinery, he knew it was only a matter of time before he ventured out on his own.
In 2016, Mike made the leap, starting M&M Excavating in Sheffield, Mass., which is nestled in the foothills of the Berkshires, just across the border from North Canaan in northwest Connecticut.
The journey to entrepreneurship wasn’t without its challenges. A pivotal moment came when a close friend that he was contemplating starting a business with tragically passed away. This loss caused Mike to reflect, and ultimately pursue his long-held goal of starting his own business. “I realized life is short, and if you’re going to do something, you’ve got to go after it,” he says.
Since then, M&M Excavating has grown steadily, now employing a small but dedicated team of six full-time associates. Mike’s wife, Megan, joined the business full-time last year, taking on the crucial responsibilities of managing the office, handling payroll, and keeping operations running smoothly. Their son, Michael Jr., 14, is already following in his father’s footsteps, helping out during the summers while learning the ropes.
Breaking into the excavating business wasn’t easy, but through persistence and building a solid reputation, M&M Excavating has carved out its place. Operating in a less populated area with a limited labor pool and established competitors, Mike knew he needed to differentiate M&M to stand out.
“It’s been a challenge, especially being younger in the industry. But getting that first opportunity to prove ourselves was key,” Mike says. “Once we had a chance to show our work, we started earning more repeat business and all-important referrals.”
By consistently delivering high-quality results, M&M has developed a loyal customer base. Over time, the company
has expanded its network, working with larger contractors and municipalities, which has opened the door to more significant and complex projects.
“Reputation is everything,” Mike adds. “Once you establish yourself, more jobs start coming your way. We’ve worked our way into bigger contractors and larger residential projects.”
The company’s work spans a wide range of excavating services, from septic system installations to road regrading and demolition.
A key to M&M’s growth has been its investment in Cat® equipment. Mike prefers to buy new machines, citing the importance of reliability and uptime in the field. The company’s fleet includes everything from a Cat 299D3 XE Compact Track Loader, to a Next Gen 320 Hydraulic Excavator, which has proven invaluable on larger jobs.
Next Gen machines
The enhanced technology and improved performance of his Cat Next Generation excavators have been “a game changer,” Mike says. With advanced features like 2D grade control, payload weighing, and customizable operator settings, these machines have significantly boosted both performance and productivity.
“The Next Gen machines are smoother, faster, and the technology inside them is incredible,” Mike says. “Being able to weigh loads as well as trucks or use grade control to dig with precision has saved us time and materials. It also reduces the chances of over digging or being off grade, which means less rework and more profit.”
Additionally, the ability to set operator preferences has streamlined operations, enabling multiple operators to use the same machine with ease, automatically adjusting controls to their individual settings. This flexibility has helped M&M increase productivity and manage jobs with fewer hands.
The versatility of attachments and utilization of smart technology have made a big impact on M&M’s productivity. Laser grading and grade control systems help complete jobs faster, while eliminating the need for an extra person to check grades. For finish grading, Mike likes the GB124 Grader Blade attachment, which is designed for grading and leveling large commercial properties, housing pads, roadways, and parking lots.
“The attachments eliminate a lot of handwork,” Mike notes. “We save time, make fewer passes, and know exactly where we’re at on the jobsite.”
VisionLink® boosts efficiency
One of the tools that has significantly improved M&M Excavating’s operational efficiency is VisionLink®, a suite of digital tools that delivers actionable insights to help take the guesswork out of fleet management. By utilizing VisionLink, Mike can remotely monitor his Cat machines, track machine hours, service intervals, and location all from his phone or computer.
“It’s been incredibly helpful,” he says. “We use it daily to give us real-time information on the status of our machines, making sure they’re serviced on time and ensuring everything is running smoothly.”
The system also enables M&M to avoid costly breakdowns by providing fault code notifications, and also when scheduled maintenance is due. Both are crucial for maximizing uptime and ensuring that the machines are always ready for the next job.
Flexibility with Cat Financial
Financing new equipment can be a daunting task for any small business, but Mike has found Cat Financial to be a vital partner in growing M&M Excavating’s fleet. Whether purchasing new excavators, skid steers, or attachments, he has relied on Cat Financial for straightforward financing solutions.
is much simpler than dealing with a traditional bank.”
This ease of financing has enabled M&M to continue investing in cutting-edge machinery and attachments without the financial stress that can sometimes accompany larger purchases.
Unwavering dealer support
A crucial element of M&M Excavating’s success has been its working relationship with H.O. Penn. From providing top-tier machines to ongoing service and parts and service support, H.O. Penn has played an integral role in maximizing M&M’s equipment uptime and running at peak performance.
“Our sales rep, Brandon Desautels, has been a big reason why we prefer working with H.O. Penn,” Mike says. “Brandon’s service is excellent, and he’s always there when we need him.”
H.O. Penn service technicians also provide routine maintenance and handle any warranty work, often coming to M&M’s jobsite due to the company’s remote location.
“Their technicians are top-notch, and they help us keep everything in perfect working order,” he adds.