BUTLER SERVICE TECHNICIANS COMPETE AT THE DEALER LEVEL FOR THE CHANCE TO REPRESENT AT THE REGIONAL TECH WARS COMPETITION

Butler Service Technicians Compete at the Dealer Level for the Chance to Represent at the Regional Tech Wars Competition in San Antonio, Texas. 

What began in 2014 as a friendly intra-dealership competition at Riggs Cat, based in Arkansas, has transformed into a biennial competition between six (6) Caterpillar dealers. The vision maintained for service technicians to test themselves and participate in a friendly competition with other technicians in their areas of expertise. The Tech Wars competition showcases five (5) divisions: Construction, Truck, Industrial, Electrical Power Generation (EPG) and Ag. Each division has three (3) hands-on skills scenarios and a written assessment. 

A team comprised of Butler Machinery service managers, technical communicators, trainers and product support managers works to develop simulated scenarios and tests emulating on-the-job conditions and complications, such as diagnosing machine and engine errors. Using real-life situations builds confidence in the technicians to take what they have learned back to the shop, says Ben Wasserburger, Director of Service at Butler. To make every test as fair as possible, the team evaluates validity to confirm that every technician’s experience is consistent.

140 technicians entered to participate at the store level. Each store held a round of testing, and then the winner in each division competes at the Butler dealer final at the corporate office in Fargo, ND. 43 technicians comprised from all Butler locations competed for the chance to represent Butler at the Regional Tech Wars competition in San Antonio, Texas. 

“This event really helps reinforce the importance of the technicians to the CAT dealer network and that they are the secret to the success of the CAT dealer,” said Wasserburger. “These technicians challenge themselves, and you see their growth through that process. As we repeat this year after year, we’re starting to see tremendous growth in these technicians and their ability to challenge themselves.”  

The technicians also competed in a friendly and fun tractor pull-and-build activity that allowed different store technicians to work together as a team. 

Thank you to all who participated and congratulations to the Butler Finals Winners:

Ag

1st – Joshua Lenzen; Hankinson, ND

2nd – Justin Bohl; Chadron, NE

Construction (Heavy)

1st – Scott Cassens; Rapid City, SD

2nd – Drew Dockter; Jamestown, ND

Truck

1st – Justin Simunek; Pierre, SD

2nd – Jace Johnson; Devils Lake, ND

Industrial

1st – Shawn Baker; Rapid City, SD

2nd – Colby Becker; Dickinson, ND

EPG

1st – Chad Reinstra; Bismarck, ND

2nd – Robert Carrico; Aberdeen, SD