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Bobcat equipment excels near Mont Blanc

Chez Gaston is a true family institution located between Savoie and Haute-Savoie, in the French Alps near Mont Blanc. Every winter, ensuring access to the restaurant from the first day of the season is a top priority. To meet this challenge, owner Grégoire found the perfect solution with the help of Sivemat: two compact Bobcat loaders — an S550 and an S130 — and most recently, an L85 articulated wheel loader. These machines save him valuable time.

Founded in 1974 by Grégoire’s father, Chez Gaston was taken over in 1993 by Grégoire and his wife, Céline. Since then, the restaurant has remained a family-run business. Grégoire and Céline manage operations, while one of their daughters works as head chef. More than just a dining spot, Chez Gaston is a cherished legacy they are committed to preserving and passing on. “It’s important for us to keep that family and mountain spirit alive. We want our children to carry this place forward,” says Céline.

Over the years, the restaurant has undergone several renovations, including the expansion of its terraces. While these improvements have allowed them to accommodate more guests, they have also made winter maintenance more demanding. Before acquiring a Bobcat machine, snow removal was a laborious task that took three to four hours each morning.

Grégoire discovered Bobcat in 2004 through a friend who used one to clear his own road. Impressed by the demonstration and advised by local Bobcat dealer, Sivemat, he decided to purchase his first machine. Today, he owns several models, including the S550 and S130, which have become essential to his daily operations.

Equipped with specialized attachments such as a snow blower, these machines now allow him to clear the terraces in just 30 minutes—a significant time-saver in the extreme winter conditions at altitude. “It’s really made our lives easier—we save so much time,” says Céline, highlighting how much of a game-changer the equipment has been for their daily routine.

As a loyal fan of the brand, Grégoire has gradually equipped his restaurant with several Bobcat machines. “People are often surprised by what I can achieve with my small S550 or S130,” he says, expressing full satisfaction with the performance of his equipment. He doesn’t hide his enthusiasm: “Bobcat has truly helped me — it’s brought simplicity and allowed me to grow in my work.”

With its unique climate and challenging terrain, the mountain environment makes Sivemat’s role all the more essential. In these remote and demanding locations, clients often operate in highly specific conditions. Thanks to solid infrastructure and dedicated resources, it is possible to enjoy a traditional regional dish on a sunny terrace at 2,000 metres high — even in the heart of winter.

“We’re proud to count restaurant-owners like Céline and Grégoire among our loyal customers, whom we support all year round,” says Jean-Benoît Bourgeois, Sales Representative at Sivemat. “They find in the Bobcat brand a wide range of products tailored to their specific and demanding needs.”

To address the challenges of mountain operations, Sivemat also organizes its teams with a dedicated on-call aftersales service available on weekends and public holidays. Sivemat technicians are trained to navigate steep, snowy roads and are equipped with cutting-edge tools to operate autonomously at high altitudes.

“Being consistently present and available to meet our clients’ winter and mountain needs — here lies our true commitment,” concludes Christelle Vaudaux, President of Sivemat.

In the heart of the Alps, where winters are harsh and demanding, Bobcat machines prove to be indispensable allies for overcoming the most extreme conditions. The reliability and performance of Bobcat loaders provide operators not only with significant time savings, but also with a more comfortable and efficient workday.

Bobcat has established itself as a partner that understands its customers' challenges, delivering performance and dependability throughout the winter season.

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