7 minute read
Pillari Bros. Construction Corp.
Technology is all in the family
Pillari Bros. Construction Corp. leverages advanced tech to complete New Jersey sitework projects more efficiently
As a 19-year-old Italian immigrant, Joe Pillari began his construction career in New Jersey in 1954 as a laborer on a blasting crew. In 1985, Joe and his son, Lou, established Pillari Bros. Construction Corp., which has grown from a two-person crew completing sewer and water infrastructure to a prominent player in New Jersey’s construction industry. Today, the Farmingdale-based family business specializes in site development, handling everything from large warehouse spaces to extensive home developments. The Pillari family’s journey from laborers to business owners is a testament to their hard work and determination.
“Our success has always been tied to our ability to provide solutions for unique situations,” said Mike Pillari, Vice President of Pillari Bros. and Joe’s son. “We use technology to enhance efficiency and profitability, partnering with companies like Komatsu to ensure we have the best equipment for the job. Currently, we’re primarily focused on private sector sitework, but we will handle some public projects as well.”
Over the years, Pillari Bros. has always been at the forefront of adopting new technologies.
“We began using GPS on our equipment back in 2002,” recalled Mike. “Staying up to date with technology, whether it’s drone software or 3D modeling, has been crucial to our success. We handle everything in-house and have a dedicated team of engineers to manage these advancements.”
“By using GPS and other tools, we’ve improved productivity and quality significantly. It’s allowed us to manage projects more efficiently and deliver better results for our clients,” said Matthew Pillari, Superintendent (who is also Mike’s cousin).
Pillari Bros. is poised to celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2025, a milestone that underscores its long-standing commitment to providing a quality product and building relationships with customers throughout the industry. With a team of around 60 employees and annual sales of approximately $35 million, the family business continues to thrive by finding projects within its wheelhouse.
Enhanced productivity with IMC
With multiple significant projects active at any given time, Pillari Bros. leverages various pieces of Komatsu Intelligent Machine Control (IMC) equipment to enhance productivity. This includes dozers ranging from a D39PXi-24 to a D71PXi-24 and a pair of PC360LCi-11 and PC490LCi-11 excavators. Pillari Bros. also employs Komatsu WA270, WA320 and WA380 wheel loaders.
“The PC490 is particularly powerful for mass earthwork and deep pipe excavations, handling 10-foot-by-26-foot boxes effortlessly,” Mike commented. “The D71 dozer not only pushes large quantities of materials but can fine grade. They’re true workhorses on our sites.”
Pillari Bros. recently utilized a PC490LCi-11 and a D71PXi-24 on a 500-unit multifamily development in Jackson, N.J.
“The PC490LCi excavator and D71PXi dozer worked in tandem to move massive amounts of material,” Mike noted. “The D71PXi pushed over 100,000 yards of material efficiently to the excavator, which then loaded it out. Because the ground material was so saturated, we relied heavily on those machines to keep up with the project’s demands without delays.”
Mike highlighted the benefits of utilizing IMC equipment: “The integration of the GPS and grade control technology on our IMC machines allows us to work efficiently, especially in challenging conditions like high groundwater areas in Monmouth and Ocean counties. These GPS-equipped machines have significantly improved our ability to manage detention basin excavations and wet conditions. What really impressed us was that the grade control kept up with the speed of the hydraulics, providing smooth and accurate grading without slowing down our operators.”
Also, the IMC machines provide real-time feedback for the operator, which Matt appreciates: “What’s nice about the IMC excavators is that you see everything on the display, including plans and other utilities. This helps us avoid redoing work because the grade control will prevent over-digging. It’s a massive time-saver and enhances the precision of our installations.”
Relationship with Komatsu East
Pillari Bros. relies on its strong relationships with its distributor, Komatsu East, and Territory Manager Dominick Vecchiarelli when looking for the best machines for its jobs. The support Pillari Bros. receives from Komatsu East has been instrumental in its success, providing the necessary equipment and assistance to keep its projects on track.
“They’ve been a fantastic partner,” Mike reflected. “I was initially loyal to a competitive brand, but after we added our first Komatsu machine, the product support from Komatsu convinced us to buy more of their equipment. If we have any questions, we get ahold of Dominick, and he’s always getting the right people here to help us out with training on the equipment or the software. Komatsu has done an excellent job of maintaining good product support, which is essential for us.”
Matt appreciates the dedicated service from Komatsu East: “Dealing with our shop manager, from all the different vendors, and Komatsu’s always there; Dominick’s always there. It’s reassuring to know that we have a partner we can rely on.”
The availability of Komatsu equipment has also been a substantial factor in Pillari Bros.’ success.
“We’ve been able to get the machines when we need them most, and the support is always there,” Mike declared. “It’s not just about selling a machine or technology; they genuinely support the product.
Pillari Bros. also benefits from Komatsu’s Rent to Purchase Option (RPO) program, which allows the company to try out new machines before committing to a purchase.
"The RPO program has been very successful for us,” Mike commented. “This helps us identify which equipment will fit well into our fleet for multiple projects.”
The well-rounded support from Komatsu East is a cornerstone of Pillari Bros.’ operations.
“It’s the support that sets Komatsu apart, whether it’s a sales job, service or parts department,” Mike emphasized. “Having a reliable dealership network and support across the state is key for us. Whenever I have a question or need an answer, I know a phone call to Komatsu is all it takes."
Continued growth
For Pillari Bros., the future is promising.
“Looking toward the next five to 10 years, we’re aiming for moderate growth,” Mike said. “We’re not looking to take on the world, but rather to continue building on the quality of our personnel. By focusing on unique projects that require detailed modeling and staged work, we can remain competitive and efficient.”
Mike also sees the next generation playing a role in the company’s future. His son, who is currently studying construction management, and his daughter, who assists with project take-offs, are already getting involved. By nurturing their skills and interest in the business, Pillari Bros. is positioning itself to maintain its legacy and adapt to future challenges. ■
*The opinions expressed here are from the customer as quoted. The results described herein are those of these customers under certain conditions. Individual results may vary.
Customer snapshot
Company: Pillari Bros. Construction Corp.
Location: Farmingdale, New Jersey
Employees: 60
Established: 1985
Areas of expertise: Site development, handling everything from large warehouse spaces to extensive home developments Komatsu equipment: D39PXi-24 and D71PXi-24 IMC dozers; PC360LCi-11 and PC490LCi-11 IMC excavators; WA270, WA320 and WA380 wheel loaders
Komatsu technology: Intelligent Machine Control (IMC) that includes integration of GPS and grade control technology
By the numbers
$35 million in annual sales (approximate)
500-unit multifamily development recently completed
100,000 yards of material were moved by a Komatsu D71PXi IMC dozer and a Komatsu PC490LCi IMC excavator
