Extreme Engine Service is No. 1 Single Location Dealer for Cub Cadet

by Robbie Evans

Monroe, La. News-Star

MONROE, La. — Tommy Waldrop of Extreme Engine Service is seated atop a Cub Cadet tractor along with his granddaughter Hartley Waldrop, 6, wife Wanda Waldrop, daughter-in-law heather Waldrop and son Jeremy Waldrop. (Terrance Armstard/Delta Business)

Tommy Waldrop realized nearly three decades ago there was a need for a reliable small-engine business in northeastern Louisiana.

He also knew he didn't want to spend the rest of his life working at a West Monroe paper mill. So, with the help of his father, J.D. Waldrop, he opened his own small-engine business in 1982.

Today, Extreme Engine Service is recognized as the No. 1 single location dealer for Cub Cadet in the United States. For a small business tucked away at 166 Waldrop Lane just off New Nachitoches Road, Waldrop said he is proud about where he's taken his business.

"We're doing great," said Waldrop, 53. "(Cub Cadet) can't believe we pull the business we do. We're out in the country and 300 yards off the road."

When he began his business, Waldrop carried a few lines of lawn mowers and handled repairs. But since then, the business has grown exponentially.

Even compared to larger operations with multiple locations, Extreme Engine Service regularly ranks among the Top 6 in sales out of nearly 1,800 Cub Cadet dealers nationwide.

The business is an authorized dealer of several major brands: Cub Cadet, Husqvarna, Troy-Bilt, Echo and Marayuma. It's also an authorized parts dealer for 25 small engine companies.

Extreme Engine also carries a diverse range of commercial and residential equipment, including mowers, trimmers, saws, utility vehicles, tractors, trailers and application equipment.

Waldrop believes Extreme Engine Service operates the largest showroom in the state, with an average of 30 to 50 pieces of equipment on display daily.

He originally started the business in Ruston and remained there for 18 years. Then nine years ago, he moved to West Monroe.

"I started small," Waldrop said. "While I was in Ruston, I sold five or six brands of lawn mowers, and I sold ATVs and motorcycles. That business grew and then one day a guy came in and bought the motorcycle and ATV business and a month later I was gone."

Since moving to his West Monroe location, the business has blossomed. Waldrop has about eight full-time employees and works with his son Jeremy, who serves as vice president of operations.

Waldrop said his biggest surprise has been the amount of regional business he does.

The company's Web site, www.eesla.com, has complete details on the services and products it offers.

"We pull a lot of business from the outlying areas like Oak Grove, Lake Providence and Winnsboro," Waldrop said. "I think some of that may have to do with our Web site and advertising, but we're service friendly and very aggressive. A lot of our business is word of mouth, too."

The company supplements its regular services by providing warranty work for equipment sold by Lowe's.

Waldrop said he began expanding the product line during the past five years. That expansion included retail sales of utility trailers and tractors.

"We just recently started selling tractors," Waldrop said. "That's the big thing right now."

Waldrop doesn't foresee any major expansions or new locations by the company in the near future. He's satisfied with the size of the business and helping his son Jeremy learn the trade.

"This is plenty," Waldrop said. "We're a good small business."

Posted September 25, 2009

Share this page: