Check Out Taylor’s Forklift
Need Heavy Equipment?
Randy Taylor grew up working on cars, but his interest in learning new skills drove him into the forklift industry, and his willingness to make a bold move led him to start his own business.
Now, Taylor’s Forklift sells, rents, and services forklifts, industrial floor scrubbers, and telehandlers to farmers, industrial plant owners, and other businesses across North Carolina, and they sell equipment in Bermuda as well.
Randy Taylor and the crew at Taylor’s Forklift sell, rent, and service forklifts, industrial floor scrubbers, and telehandlers (also known as zoom booms) to businesses across North Carolina.
“I’ve been very blessed,” says Randy, who credits part of his success to “a God-given talent for fixing things.” He grew up working on used cars for his father, Jack Taylor, who owned a used car lot.
As a young man, he went to work for a car dealership, but he became keenly aware of all of the competition and the difficulty of making money in the car business. He began working with industrial forklifts, and eventually his skills led him to a job as service manager at Yale Manufacturing, now Hyster-Yale, in Greenville.
Finally, Randy decided that the time had come to open his own business. “I started with a 1994 Ford Explorer, a $4,000 credit card, and no money in the bank,” he says. “The first year I did $60,000 in business, and we’ve grown ever since.”
Today, Randy has 17 employees, including his wife, Bobbie Jo, who serves as treasurer, and his son, Cameron, who is vice-president of sales. Randy’s father, Jack, also worked for the company before his passing.
Telehandlers or zoom booms are versatile machines that combine the lifting power of a forklift with the extended reach of a crane.
Taylor’s Forklift sells and rents heavy equipment, and Randy also has four trucks that travel across North Carolina for servicing, since transporting forklifts is difficult due to their weight. Sometimes, however, it becomes necessary to bring equipment in for major repairs, so Randy also owns a repair shop in Greenville.
Although he decided as a young man not to make car repairs his life’s work, his early experience working with electronics in the auto industry helped him make the transition when forklifts and other equipment became computerized. Technology has changed since that first generation of computers, but Randy’s always had the foresight to keep up with the changes. “It’s a learning experience,” he says. “You have to keep up with what’s out there.”
Randy credits his employees and his faith with helping his business to prosper. “I’ve been blessed,” he says. “I have a great team behind me,” He also has a chaplain who comes each Wednesday to conduct a prayer service, and employees who want counseling or prayer are free to talk to him.
Randy credits TowneBank, and particularly Trey Quinn, senior vice president and commercial banker, with helping him achieve his goals. “Trey’s my guy. He’s a great asset.” He particularly appreciates the personal touch and Trey’s willingness to “answer the phone anytime,” even if he’s out of town.
Randy and Trey worked together when Trey was at another bank, and he made the switch to TowneBank when Trey did.
“Mr. Randy and I have known each other for 20 years through our church,” Trey says. “When I began my business banking career in Greenville, he specifically requested that I manage his banking relationship. “
“Over the past 11 years, I’ve had the privilege of working with Taylor’s Forklift and watching the company grow, including the addition of his son to the business. It has been a rewarding experience.”
“One of the things I admire most about Mr. Randy is his positive outlook,” Trey continues. “Whenever you ask how he’s doing, his response is always, ‘I am blessed and highly favored.’ It’s a simple but powerful reminder that has encouraged me many times over the years. Working with Mr. Randy has truly been one of the most meaningful relationships of my banking career.”
For more information, visit TaylorsForkliftNC.com.