Equipment World
In 2008, at the peak of the Great Recession, John quit the contractor he was working for, bought a couple of belly dumps and started his own trucking company. Once he added paving and excavation into the fold, his fleet, team and business expanded rapidly.
But after more than 10 years, John was ready for his next conquest. And an out-of-the-blue phone call from his insurance agent was just the lead he was looking for.
It was July 2020, the height of the pandemic, and Dillon, Montana-based R.E. Miller & Sons was looking to sell. So, John and his business partner Rex Leipheimer took another leap and bought the company outright from second-generation owner Tom Miller, who was retiring.
“It was the right time in my opinion, and the wrong time for a lot of people,” says John. “But there was a lot of opportunity. It’s a great business. Even with the downturn of the economy, it didn’t really affect us because the market and construction have been strong.”
The $8 million to $10 million business with 35 employees has been a staple in the area since 1963, earning a reputation for its strong relationships and quality work on natural resource management, irrigation, site work, and road and bridge projects.
“They are incredibly honest; their work is top quality, and if there are any questions you may have on something, they follow up,” says Jake Jenkins, asset manager at Hairpin Ranch. “They go above and beyond on everything. You always get more than what you expect.”
