Advanced Earthworks in Hamilton, Montana started out with two partners who "just liked to dig in the dirt" and now has almost 50 employees. Hard work and a commitment to customer satisfaction fueled the company's growth, but according to co-owner Scott Schmiedeke, having the right lender helped, too.

"John Deere Credit always looked past the limitations we might have had as a small company," says Scott. "They've always been great to work with."

Co-owner Mark Barteaux agrees. "John Deere Credit tries to find ways to make things work for us, and they're willing to take a bigger risk because they understand the tools of our business: construction machinery."

In terms of understanding their business, Scott adds, "John Deere Credit gets it and banks don't."

Advanced Earthworks began in residential work, then "got lucky" and got in on a big development project. Today the company focuses on highway, mining reclamation, and civil construction work, but one of its crowning achievements is the Stock Farm Golf Club in Hamilton. There the company used John Deere excavating equipment to tame the rocky granite outcroppings found all through the alluvial valley.

"The John Deere equipment held up to the abuse," says Scott. "That's one reason ninety-five percent of our equipment is John Deere. Between the reliable equipment, an outstanding dealer [Triple W in Missoula], and John Deere Credit, we see a lot of green in our future."