Best Line Equipment (BLE) of West Chester will celebrated the grand opening of its new 24,500-square-foot building at 515 S. Bolmar Street in West Chester.

BLE had humble beginnings in Muncy when Michael Houseknecht opened his first small equipment rental and service company.  The firm, with headquarters in State College, now employs about 350 people, and the West Chester facility is its thirteenth location.

BLE’s West Chester location will employ 30 local residents.

BLE tapped the West Chester engineering and surveying firm DL Howell to lead the construction project on four acres in West Goshen Township – the former Davis Lumber site.

Although BLE sells a huge inventory of equipment including tractors, excavators, scissor lifts, trailers, pumps, mowers and aerial work platforms from 50 different manufacturers – Bobcats will be on parade for the grand opening.

The West Chester location is BLE’s ninth Bobcat dealership, and the company plans to  celebrated with special financing and reduced Bobcat pricing.  Contractors will also be treated to a catered lunch buffet.

The president of the local Chamber of Commerce, several local politicians, and BLE CEO Michael Houseknecht together with 10 manufacturing reps will also be at the grand opening ceremony at 11 on Friday.

BLE is a regional rental, sales and service leader.  Founder Michael Houseknecht built his business on the philosophy that treating customers as business partners fosters a strong relationship.  BLE also provides parts and service for equipment, an online rental guide, company training and 24-hour emergency service.

Its customers are citizens and contractors as well as farmers, various industries, and municipal and state government.

BLE is one of the largest of the thousand Bobcat dealers in the United States.  Bobcat, which touts its product as “one tough animal,” is based in North Dakota. According to its company web site, the millionth Bobcat loader will be rolled off the assembly line this year.

Best Line Equipment is at 515 S. Bolmar St., West Chester, and may be reached at 610-241-3633.  Its web site is here.