To further incentivize precision ag sales, Hutson Inc. has adopted John Deere’s precision ag incentive score card which helps customer account managers monitor customers’ precision ag engagement, says Matthew Ramage, vice president of Sales. He explains how this allows the customer account manager to better understand the customer’s needs and offer ag equipment and new technology unique to their operation. This helps the customer both increase their precision engagement score as well as their bottom line.

Having a knowledgeable precision ag department is essential for any successful dealership. However Travis Kiesel, vice president of precision ag at Hutson Inc. details how his team takes it step further. By taking their expert precision ag team and sending them out to train both parts, sales and service technicians through their certified dealer instructor program, Hutson Inc. is able to share their precision knowledge with the entire team. This further expands their already impressive support network to cover every dealership under the Hutson Inc. umbrella.

2023 Dealership of the Year Hutson Inc. is different from the average dealership in many ways, such as its extensive non-revenue-based team member roles. COO Brandy Jared describes the importance of the corporate structure that Hutson Inc. is built around and how many of the non-revenue-based roles can be integral to supporting the business, particularly following an extensive acquisition. Having access to these corporate resources has allowed for the newly acquired stores to quickly integrate into the Hutson Inc. culture and streamline the challenges that come from bringing a new dealership into the fold.

As technician shortages continue to plague the ag industry, Hutson Inc. has opted for a longer-term solution through their ag school recruitment and training program. Hutson Inc. COO Brandy Jared explains the benefits of scouting local schools and offering students a chance to grow into a rewarding career, which benefits the student, the dealership and the dealer’s customers. Through mentorship programs, technician partnerships and scholarships, these students are given every opportunity to succeed in a field that so desperately needs their new skillset.

With their recent expansion into Michigan, Hutson Inc. is looking to make the most of their new growth opportunity. While CFO Shane Osborne understands the importance of establishing the existing Hutson Inc. work culture into their new dealerships, he also explains there are benefits to be gained by learning from the new employees and the management processes that were used prior to each dealerships acquisition.

As the dealership continued to grow, Hutson Inc.’s management team understood the importance of an internal leadership development program to prepare for the company’s future expansion. This program sought to identify existing employees and provide them with the opportunity to enhance their leadership and management skills and position these trained employees as managers at the newly acquired dealerships once they became available. Hutson Inc. COO Brandy Jared comments how the training involves hands-on leadership experiences as well as leadership shadowing to ensure that the prospective managers fully understand what is expected of them.

Hutson Inc. COO Brandy Jared discusses the importance of keeping the flow of conversation clear between the employees across their many dealerships across the country The company makes use of several strategies to overcome this logistical and cultural challenge including internal social media for employee use, team focus groups and an annual company-wide summit. Brandy notes transparency is key when communicating to the entire team, ensuring that everyone understands how decisions are being made and allowing for feedback from everyone on the team.

Thanks to a chance conversation with Krone at a farm show in 2009, Noble Equipment’s founder Harry Vanderberg transformed his fledgling dealership into the 2023 Dealership of the Year. General Manager Sheldon Gellner and Co-Owner Darren Vanderberg discuss the history of Noble Equipment from its start as Vanderberg Hay Farm and how — thanks to a strong community and their relationship with Krone – the dealership has grown to where it is today.

Thanks to a chance conversation with Krone at a farm show in 2009, Noble Equipment’s founder Harry Vanderberg transformed his fledgling dealership into the 2023 Dealership of the Year. General Manager Sheldon Gellner and Co-Owner Darren Vanderberg discuss the history of Noble Equipment from its start as Vanderberg Hay Farm and how — thanks to a strong community and their relationship with Krone – the dealership has grown to where it is today.

General Manager Sheldon Gellner explains the reasoning behind Noble Equipment’s decision in having a limited and specific line of equipment offerings. The employees of Noble Equipment wish to have a thorough knowledge of all the equipment they sell and service, which can limit their overall mainline offerings, but ensures that they are experts in the equipment the choose to offer.