The owner of Stutsman Gerbaz Inc., Shay Stutsman, has been named Equipment World’s 2023 Contractor of the Year. Shay has been operating equipment since he was a young child and has grown the family business by adopting new technologies, taking on challenging projects, and staying ahead of the competition. Shay has found it necessary to be on the leading edge of technology to keep ahead of the competition, and as a result, all of the company’s track loaders, excavators, and dozers are equipped with 3D machine control. Moreover, they have equipped all of their excavators with a quick attachment connect system that allows operators to line up various attachments and rapidly change tools on the job. This technology has sped up productivity, reduced fuel, labor, and transport costs, and increased safety. Stutsman Gerbaz’s revenue has nearly doubled in the past four years to between $11 million and $13 million.
The Contractor of the Year program, sponsored by Caterpillar since 2000, recognizes contractors who display excellence in business acumen, equipment management expertise, attention to safety, and community involvement. The program selects 12 finalists each year who receive an expense-paid trip to Las Vegas to participate in roundtable discussions and an awards ceremony. The nomination period for the 2024 program will open this fall.
Shay Stutsman Named Contractor of the Year by Equipment World
Shay Stutsman, the owner of Stutsman Gerbaz Inc. located in Aspen, Colorado, has been named Equipment World’s Contractor of the Year for 2023. The prestigious award is given to contractors who demonstrate excellence in their field, and Shay Stutsman’s story fits that description perfectly.
Shay is the third generation to take the helm of his family’s company, which was started by his grandfather, Dick Stutsman, and his brother-in-law, Jerry Gerbaz, in 1960. Shay’s father, Dave Stutsman, raised him in the earthmoving business, and he started operating equipment before he was old enough for kindergarten.
Stutsman Gerbaz specializes in residential and commercial foundation excavation, utility installation, pond and lake construction, stream construction and rehabilitation, driveways, demolition, and road construction. Their services are especially valuable in Aspen, which is a high-end and tightly regulated market.
To stay ahead of the competition and ensure precision, Shay has implemented new technologies. All of the company’s track loaders, excavators, and dozers are equipped with 3D machine control. Moreover, they have equipped all of their excavators with a quick attachment connect system that allows operators to line up various attachments and rapidly change tools on the job. This technology has sped up productivity, reduced fuel, labor, and transport costs, and increased safety.
Stutsman Gerbaz was the first company in North America to test a new bucket equipped with ground-penetrating radar. They are viewed as the gold standard in earthmoving by Blake Hansen of Hansen Construction, who says, “The technologies they have been implementing are making them faster and more accurate with each new job.”
Shay Stutsman’s hard work and innovative approach have paid off, with Stutsman Gerbaz’s revenue nearly doubling in the past four years to between $11 million and $13 million. They currently have 56 employees.
Shay expressed his gratitude towards his employees after receiving the award, saying, “For 63 years, we’ve had the best employees you could ask for – loyalty to a fault. This is an incredible honor, and I’m extremely humbled given all the other finalists that are in this room.”
Overall, Shay Stutsman’s dedication to adopting new technologies, taking on challenging projects, and staying ahead of the competition has earned him Equipment World’s 2023 Contractor of the Year award, and his success in the industry is a testament to his hard work and innovative thinking.
Equipment World’s Contractor of the Year Program
The Contractor of the Year program, sponsored by Caterpillar since 2000, recognizes contractors who display excellence in business acumen, equipment management expertise, attention to safety, and community involvement. The program selects 12 finalists each year who receive an expense-paid trip to Las Vegas to participate in roundtable discussions and an awards ceremony. Equipment World will post profile stories and videos of each finalist on their website throughout the year. The nomination period for the 2024 program will open this fall. For more information, visit https://www.equipmentworld.com/contractor-of-the-year.
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