A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on February 21 for Lawrence Equipment’s CASE Construction Equipment dealership located on Route 11.
Photos by Aila Boyd
By Aila Boyd
aboyd@mainstreetnewspapers.com
Lawrence Equipment and the Botetourt County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony last Friday to celebrate the new CASE Construction Equipment dealership on Route 11 north, near Cloverdale.
Use of the new facility started two weeks prior to the ceremony. An identical facility is located at Exit 91 on Interstate 64.
Speakers for the event included Jim Harrison, interim chief executive officer of Lawrence Companies, Dustin Cole, executive vice president of Lawrence Equipment, Gary Larrowe, Botetourt’s county administrator, and Rep. Ben Cline (R-6th).
“Lawrence Companies is a 100 percent employee-owned company,” Harrison said, noting that the company is very proud of that fact.
The equipment division of the company, he explained, represents roughly one-third of the company. Revenue for 2020 for the division is expected to be in excess of $100 million. “The footprint of the equipment division extends all the way to the water.”
Cole, who joined Lawrence Equipment in 2005, explained that the rezoning process for the new facility was started back in October of 2017. “Two and a half years of time was put into this. We couldn’t be prouder of the finished product,” he said. “I would like to thank everybody that was involved in this project.”
Fifteen employees work at the new 15,000-square-foot facility.
Larrowe said, “Being able to be here for the official opening is something that is really wonderful.” He noted that in 1932, Weldon T. Lawrence founded the company as Lawrence Transfer and Storage. In 2001, Lawrence Equipment was started.
Larrowe also noted the involvement of the Botetourt County Economic Development Authority in establishing the new facility.
“It’s an exciting day here in Botetourt. I’m here to celebrate with you,” Cline said. “This is a great place to work. The people here are great. The operation is great. The leadership is great. You’ve combined forces to be successful in this challenging economic environment. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Lawrence.”
Tours of the facility were given following the ceremony.
