When the department kept running out of oil at the end of each quarter, Service Manager Brent Whetstone of Ellens Equipment discovered a discrepancy between how much fluid was used vs. how much was available. Having identified the problem, Ellens Equipment was able to determine a number of solutions, such as changing the volume metrics by which the oil was purchased as well as fluid counters for the pumps. By spending more on preventative measures, the company was able to save a larger sum in the long run.
Linda Ellens, co owner and controller at Ellens Equipment, discusses how her son Luke Ellens recommended instituting regular team meetings. Although there was speculation initially, over time the team members warmed to the usefulness of the meetings and the company has seen improved communication across the board.
Brent Whetstone, service manager at Ellens Equipment, displays the company's new digital job board. Whetstone explains how upgrading from their old white board system has improved accuracy and productivity for the other service members, cutting down on skipped over work requests and miscommunication.
A business is reliant on finding and training the best person for the job, however the perfect employee can show up in the last place you'd expect. Linda Ellens, co-owner and controller at Ellens Equipment, further explains this as she recalls how having an eye for character and personality were key in finding someone perfect for the company.
After years of running Ellens Equipment, husband and wife team, Don and Linda Ellens look back on Don's time taking over the business. They discuss how they've learned past challenges, how they have improved the processes of the company in their time and the next steps in implementing their succession plans.
Any business leader knows that a good idea can come from anywhere. Linda Ellens, co-owner and controller at Ellens Equipment, understands this and impresses upon her employees that no money saving idea is too small as they strive to improve their parts and service absorption rate. The employees are further incentivized as Linda provides examples of how expense savings come back to benefit the employees in a big way.
Determined to see the business continue for the benefit of both the customers and employees, Don Ellens, owner of Ellens Equipment, unveils his succession plan. Having seen the driving force Luke Ellens has been within the company, Don has already begun the process of transitioning ownership of the business over to his son.
Don Ellens, owner of Ellens Equipment, discusses the processes and challenges associated with developing a new facility. Following their expansion, Don notes how the improvements were felt not only from a customer's perspectives, how the move has benefited his service techs as well.
Don Ellens, owner of Ellens Equipment, remarks on the decision to expand his dealership to include Bobcat equipment. The move to diversify came with its own challenges, such as finding the right salesmen, however Ellens found that when the dairy market dipped down, their new construction market had grown drastically allowing the dealership to flourish in an otherwise difficult time.
The management team at Ellens Equipment has been participating in a 20 group for the last 3 years. Owner Don Ellens finds that the group helps keep them accountable and almost serves as a board of directors for the dealership.
In this episode of On the Record, brought to you by Associated Equipment Distributors, we look at President Trump's tariff reduction on ag equipment, the latest dealer sales forecasts, and how high input costs are keeping farmer sentiment down.
Since 1980, A&I Products has become a leading manufacturer and wholesale distributor of aftermarket replacement parts for the agricultural, turf, and industrial equipment markets. A&I Products' experience and expertise has greatly contributed to the company's reputation as a top supplier of quality, reasonably priced parts. Founded with roots as a small machine shop and repair facility, the company made the transition by manufacturing new parts to replace those that were identified as commonly needing repair. Throughout the 1980s, the company quickly garnered a reputation for offering quality parts at a reasonable price.
Built on 90 years of expertise, Yetter Farm Equipment leads the agriculture industry in designing effective and innovative equipment for residue management, seedbed preparation, precision fertilizer placement, harvest attachments, strip-tillage, and more.
At Machinery Scope, we believe you deserve the best risk management solutions for your investments in heavy equipment. Since 2013, we have been proud to offer extended warranty, appraisals, and inspections. Machinery Scope is a family-owned business built on our experience in farming and equipment dealerships. We understand your business and provide a personalized and professional level of customer service. Machinery Scope has built a strong warranty product with our customers in mind, offering the same professional level of service from the time you get a quote, through the processing of a claim.