CONTRACTOR HANDLES ALL ASPECTS OF WATERWORKS
In 1994, Tony Lasaponara started working on his own, traversing the mid-Hudson Valley region with a van and a small snake machine. Over time, his reputation grew based on referrals from happy customers. With a rapidly growing customer base, Tony hired additional help as the company steadily expanded.
Now, almost thirty years later, TAM Enterprises, Inc. has grown into one of the largest locally owned water and wastewater mechanical contractors in the Hudson Valley. A staff of 125-plus employees specializes in all phases of water and wastewater system installation, renovation, and rehabilitation.
TAM crews work for municipalities within a 150-mile radius of the contractor’s home base in Goshen, N.Y., building pump stations and treatment plants in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania—and further afield when called upon.
TAM also offers 24-Hour emergency service, emphasizing safety, immediacy, efficiency, and quality of workmanship.
“At TAM, we take pride in knowing our customers are in good hands 24 hours a day, 365 days a year,” Tony says. “We hope they never have to call us for an emergency, but if they do, they’ll be in good hands. Regardless of the time of day or night, one of our experienced team members is always available for consultation as he gains a complete understanding of a customer’s problem, followed by rapid response and dispatch to the jobsite.”
Safety is the number one priority for TAM crews. Completing each job safely, efficiently, and with quality workmanship is the foundation TAM Enterprises is built upon. In order to ensure a safe worksite, the entire team has been thoroughly trained and certified in Confined Space Entry, Trench Rescue, Competent Person Regulations, OSHA 10 and HAZWOPPER 40.
Broad range of services
TAM Enterprises strives to provide its customers with knowledge to establish regular preventive maintenance schedules that avoid costly breakdowns. It offers a broad range of services, including:
Mechanical Services
TAM specializes in the construction of water and wastewater systems like wells, treatment facilities, and more.
Hydro Vacuum Excavation
It utilizes a fleet of one of the nation’s largest Hydro Vac Excavators for use in safe digging around obstructions.
Excavation Services
From site work to foundations to water and sewer mains and services, TAM’s knowledgeable operators are skilled in excavation efficiency.
Rehabilitation Services
TAM rehabilitates aging infrastructure systems to save on more costly new construction. It offers the most efficient and up-to-date technology, including cure-in-place pipeline services, sewer manhole relining, and non-dig pipe repair. TAM is also an authorized pipe patch installer.
Emergency Utility Services
TAM crews also deliver and set up diesel generators and diesel bypass pumps to refuel the gensets and maintain power around the clock.
Reliable performance
TAM has a fleet of trucks for hauling and vacuuming, as well as tanker trucks. The contractor also operates a fleet of 21 Cat® machines that include nine hydraulic excavators, four wheel loaders, two compact track loaders, and more.
Based on the nature of the contractor’s work, which includes being on call to perform emergency work anytime of the day or night, having dependable equipment is critical.
“If I get a call in the middle of the night and need a machine, it’s got to be ready to go when I turn the key to start it,” says TAM vice president Brian Cutler. “And our Cat machines are reliable—they always come through for us.”
Working in hot, humid summers and cold, wet winters in the northeast, TAM operators appreciate the comfort of Cat machines, Cutler says.
“We have operators working in a machine for up to 10 hours a day, so they have to be comfortable,” says Cutler, who along with vice president Andy McGinnis, has a combined 25 years at the company. “If the operator is not comfortable, he’s going to be in and out of that machine frequently, which can negatively impact productivity and profitability.”
As an equipment operator with 40 years of experience, Joe Kata knows what he likes when it comes to running machines.
“Cat machines have always been on top,” he says. “You can feel it when you get in the seat. I have more confidence in Cat equipment than with any other brand. They have a solid feel, and there’s smooth power from the hydraulic system.”
“You can tell a difference after running a Cat machine for extended periods of time.”
“At TAM, we take pride in knowing our customers are in good hands 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Regardless of the time of day or night, one of our experienced team members is always available for consultation as he gains a complete understanding of a customer’s problem, followed by rapid response and dispatch to the jobsite.”
– Tony Lasaponara, Owner, TAM Enterprises, Inc.
Reliable Equipment Performance
“Time,” Kata says. “I can definitely tell the difference. Compared to other brands, to me, Cat is where it’s at. And with proper maintenance, I’ve run Cat machines with 14,000 hours that still run like new.”
Kata likes the close-radius tail swing on the Cat 315 Excavator:
“A lot of times, we’re working up against guardrails or some type of barrier or obstruction, and we don’t have to worry about the tail swing,” he says. “So, it’s just a lot easier to work.”
Prompt Dealer Support
Parts availability and prompt service from Cat dealer H.O. Penn are “top-notch,” according to Cutler.
“Every time I call my H.O. Penn sales rep when I need something, he always finds a way to deliver it to me if the dealership doesn’t already have it,” Cutler says. “If they don’t have a part in stock, it’s usually next day. And that’s not the case with other brands.”
Emergency Readiness
Being available and ready to go at a moment’s notice is one of the hallmarks of TAM Enterprises.
“In our business, we do a lot of emergency work,” Cutler says. “When one of our clients calls us, someone will answer—and that’s weekends, nights, holidays, and all day long. When you call, you don’t get an answering machine. Then we show up.”
“And one of the things I value about my H.O. Penn rep (James Bennett) is that he always answers the phone right away or calls me back promptly. That’s the type of response we provide to our customers, and that we’ve come to depend on from H.O. Penn.”
