In November of 1983 Bob Woods’ dream of running his own company became a reality. With the help of his wife, Angela, R.A.W. Equipment Co., Inc. was open for business. The first location was a 2,000 square foot facility on Route 9 in Howell, New Jersey. The business grew steadily and within five years was relocated to a brand new 10,000 square foot building on Route 33 in Howell, which is now the Corporate Headquarters for the Garden State Bobcat Group. In 1989 a new location was added in Gloucester County to better serve the southern New Jersey marketplace. South Jersey Bobcat Co., Inc., as it was appropriately named, became the second established store. Additional growth necessitated the opening of a third store in Somerset County to serve the marketplace in the Central and Western areas of the State. Thus, Bobcat of Central Jersey became the third member of the family. Also in the same year, R.A.W. Equipment Co., Inc. became Garden State Bobcat; and in 2004 the Garden State Bobcat Group.
During the past twenty-five years, the operations have grown from the original single store two-person operation to a forty plus employee base with three locations. With the addition of Bob and Angela’s son, Rob, currently Vice-President of the Company, additional growth and expansion is anticipated over the next twenty-five years.
The growth of the Garden State Bobcat Group would not have been possible without the dedicated employees, suppliers and loyal customers who have trusted the ownership and management with their support throughout these twenty-five years. The Garden State Bobcat Group remains loyal to its philosophy of maximizing the customer’s productivity, versatility and profitability in this ever-changing world. It continues to search for products that will benefit its customers in the most efficient, cost-productive ways available. Along with the Garden State Bobcat Group, manufacturers such as Bobcat Co., Doosan Infracore (formerly Ingersoll-Rand), Pro-Tech, Big Tow, Yanmar and others will assist in leading the way into the next twenty-five years.