Customer: Tod, Owner
Company: Cragco Dumpster Rental, Western NY
Industry: Waste Hauling & Dumpster Rental
Fleet: 7 trucks, 350+ dumpsters
Products Purchased: Hook lift dumpsters from Thompson Fabrication (300+ units to date)
Tod launched Cragco in the late ’90s with a single pickup truck and a belief that he could do waste hauling better than the lumber yard customers he used to deliver to. But as the business scaled, he quickly ran into a major problem: subpar dumpsters from early manufacturers were failing fast—and hurting his image in the process.
“I was buying dumpsters from another manufacturer. The welds were terrible. The paint fell off in one winter. You could see daylight through the cracks.”
Tod Craggs – President, Cragco Dumpster Rentals Inc.
From cracked welds to peeling paint, the inferior build quality caused maintenance headaches and cost him both time and credibility with customers.
Tod’s switch to Thompson Fabrication wasn’t the result of a sales pitch—it came from a scrap metal yard owner who told him to “read the tag” on a well-built dumpster. That tag said Thompson Fabrication—and after a quick call to Dean (then VP), Tod never looked back.
“Once I saw how they held up—paint, welds, everything—I never looked back.”
What started as an order of five or six dumpsters turned into a 25+ year relationship and more than 300 dumpsters ordered.
Cragco’s success isn’t just about service—it’s about how their equipment looks and performs. Tod credits the quality of Thompson’s dumpsters with helping him grow, win repeat business, and save time across the board.
Tod’s crew isn’t spending weekends patching welds or repainting rust. Thompson’s dumpsters are built for real work—and for the long haul.
“No cracks at tension points. I haven’t had a weld issue with Thompson’s—ever. I get five to six years out of a paint job—easily. And that’s in the Northeast.”
Customers notice when a dumpster isn’t a rust bucket. And for Cragco, clean, well-kept equipment has become a core part of the brand.
“We haul trash—we don’t want to look like trash. My dumpsters are shiny red with no rust, no sharp edges. I keep 90% of my fleet looking like showpieces. The only problem I get with these cans is people want to hang on to them and turn them into planter boxes.”
Because of the quality construction, Tod avoids the hidden costs of maintenance—like unexpected welds, seized latches, or constant repainting.
“Their dumpsters save me time. I’m not constantly welding cracks or touching up rust. Other companies’ latches seize up. Thompson’s are simple, safe, and don’t get stuck. If I buy a new can, I don’t want to be painting it in a year.”
One of the biggest differentiators for Tod isn’t just the build quality—it’s the people. From Dean personally delivering parts to Stephanie answering the phone like an old friend, the relationship goes beyond the transaction.
“If there’s a problem, it isn’t your problem. It’s their problem. And they fix it.”
When Dean retired, Tod worried the personal touch might fade—but new owner Mark stepped in immediately to reassure him and keep things seamless.
“Mark called me himself. Said, ‘Don’t worry—we’ll keep doing what we’ve always done for you.’ And he has.”
Over 25 years of working with Thompson, Tod has seen a clear difference between them and other manufacturers. It’s not just one thing—it’s a combination of thoughtful design, consistent reliability, and a team that takes pride in their work.
“They’re just small enough to care. You can get to the top if you need to. That’s critical.”
Here’s what stands out:
Paint that lasts: “I get 5–6 years out of a paint job before touching it up. Others didn’t last one winter.”
Custom builds without the premium markup: “They don’t nickel and dime me for the specs I need.”
Rolled bottoms that don’t rust: “Nobody else in the industry does that.”
Welds that don’t crack: “Solid seam welds—they’re not cutting corners.”
Fair pricing tied to steel costs: “They don’t gouge. When costs go down, so do prices.”
Service that shows up: “Dean once drove 4–5 hours to bring me parts himself.”
For new operators or those stuck with a fleet of unreliable dumpsters, Tod has hard-won advice:
Start right, or pay for it twice.
“If you’re going to start a business with a good foundation, you need good equipment. Spend the money. Buy it right the first time—or you’ll pay twice when it falls apart.”
He’s seen too many new haulers buy on price, only to look like “trash” a year later—and lose business in the process.
“You’ll be painting them or replacing them in no time. And some guys don’t even care. They don’t even paint them. I can’t operate like that.”
After decades in business, hundreds of dumpsters ordered, and thousands of satisfied customers, Tod has no intention of shopping around.
“There is no second choice for me. I don’t shop. I don’t need to.”
60 Council Avenue, PO Box 432, Wheatland, PA 16161