A Brick D10 Dozer with Moveable Treads and Shovel
Parts count: 228 pieces
Dimensions (cm): 9.6(W) x 13.9(L) x 6.2(H)
(inches): 3.8(W) x 5.5(L) x 2.5(H)
Empire Southwest is a major heavy equipment dealership in the American southwest. As an authorized dealer for most major brands, they’ve also branched out with several affiliate companies. With so much going on, Empire Southwest employs over 2,000 employees and when it came time to celebrate these employees, Empire scheduled a discovery call with Playwell Bricks.
Subject Matters
Empire Southwest advised the Playwell team that they wanted a special gift for their frontline workers. “We're open to a tractor set or a set that is figure/technician to celebrate our frontline workers,” they explained. They also wanted some functionality, or playability, to their set.
“[This project] was a test of what accuracy and function is capable at scale. I initially pitched several different vehicles, and we landed on the D10 Dozer,” recalls Playwell Bricks designer Jared Oswald.
Dozer Designs
Once the decision was made, Jared turned his focus on designing this set. “The treads and front blade were the most important components to capture. Around half of the final model’s part count went to tread linkage,” Jared explains.
“The smallest tread piece available was stacked on each side to best display the look of the iconic, yellow Caterpillar tread,” he goes on. “The final model allows full tread motion, and the front blade actuates up and down, mimicking a real dozer as best as possible with such few bricks. It was incredibly satisfying to get these functions right. I keep one on my desk to fiddle with during meetings.”
Once Empire Southwest approved the final design, Playwell Bricks shifted focus from design to bulk manufacturing to produce and deliver the 4,300 sets the client ordered.
Build Instructions
As a final promotional touch, Empire Southwest asked the Playwell team to include graphics in this custom set’s Build Instructions that share highlights of the D10’s abilities and functions.
As this custom Playwell Bricks set was designed as a gift to Empire Southwest’s frontline workers, including these infographics at a time when team members are fully engaged in building this D10 means they’re more likely to retain the information they’re learning. This translates into better customer service when Empire clients come to buy, rent, or have their Cat D10 Dozers serviced or rebuilt.
Conclusion
Turn generosity into lasting impact. For tradeshow, team, or client gifts, Playwell Bricks empowers you to brand well, build well and gift well, crafting experiences that resonate long after the unwrapping. Contact us to book your discovery call today.