Q: What are some of the features that make this plant(s) the best one for you?
A: Size: it’s compact; noise: exceptionally low; good fuel consumption; its “hybrid theory” regarding electric over diesel; its low cost of ownership and operating costs.

Q: How do you see materials-recycling markets right now? Are the opportunities growing or diminishing?
A: It is a funny time. Just when you think you have nothing to do, the phone will ring to price a job. I see much more rentals than potential sales in the future due to the lending crisis.

Q: What can portable producers do to generate additional business opportunities?
A: We bought our first milling machine for our own use, and within five years of that purchase we owned four lane mills and two utility sized mills plus one reclaimer. I feel that when a customer purchases a crusher, he better be aware of the potential for adding a whole new dimension to the business in the onsite crushing and recycling sector.

Q: Do you see a national economic stimulus plan that relies on infrastructure investment a positive development for portable producers?
A: Of course. With every project that stems from this package, there will be some sort of material that will need to be recycled.

How did your company start?

In 1955, Frank Cavaliere started a small excavating business with a new Oliver tractor equipped with a Pippin backhoe and a front loader bucket. Shortly thereafter, he invited Tony Portanova to join the business, and together they formed C & P Excavating Contractors Inc. A new contracting business was born.

Dominick Cavaliere, Frank’s younger brother, purchased one-third of the excavating business in 1957 while working part time after school. Upon his graduation in 1959, he joined the firm full time.

In those early years, C & P Excavating Contractors specialized in digging additions, foundations and sewer and water lines. As business increased, more equipment was purchased, including a John Deere backhoe, a dump truck and pickup truck.
During the 1960s, C & P Excavating Contractors was the primary contractor for Southern New England Telephone Co., Northeast Utilities (gas and electric divisions) and the Stamford Water Co.

The partners also worked for major building contractors on such projects as Caldors on Summer Street in Stamford, Conn. (now the Burlington Coat Factory), the Army Corps of Engineers Stamford (Conn.) Hurricane Barrier, Harbor Power Station on Manresa Island in Norwalk, Conn., and New Canaan (Conn.) High School.

Throughout the 1960s, the company diversified by purchasing real estate in the Stamford, Conn., area, and the partners took on distinctive roles. Dominick Cavaliere managed estimations, sales and customer service. Tony Portanova served as field coordinator. And Frank Cavaliere handled all real estate for the company, including property purchases, planning and building, and leasing and selling of buildings and condos developed. After Dominick Cavaliere Sr.’s retirement on Jan. 1, 2004, he left the business to his two sons, Louis Cavaliere and Dominick Cavaliere Jr. (D.J.).

Louis and D.J. Cavaliere have developed and enhanced the family business with their expert knowledge. While Cavaliere Industries is still involved in all areas of excavation, the business is also well respected for the partners’ expertise in reclaiming and asphalt paving. And with the purchase of new and updated equipment, Cavaliere Industries meets the growing and diverse needs of its customers.

In 2004, Cavaliere Industries moved into a new state-of-the-art office and repair facility. The new building boasts 1,500 sq. ft. of office space and a three-bay repair garage with indoor wash bay. The parts and storage area is 5,000 sq. ft., housing spare parts and smaller tools and equipment.

For the 2006 construction season, Cavaliere Industries added a second JD 50 mini excavator, a new topsoil screener and a Lee Boy 8500 asphalt paver to meet the requests of customers for expanded services.

In early 2007, Cavaliere Industries introduced C.O.R. (Cavaliere Onsite Recycling). C.O.R. has the capability to crush and recycle rock, concrete, asphalt, block and brick into a useable product. Today we rent and operate three crushers and two screening plants.