https://www.farm-equipment.com/rss en-us Dave Gibson, wholesale division manager with H&R Agri-Power, reflects on his first interaction with the late Greg Burch and what he meant to the dealership as COO. He says being named Dealership of the Year is a testament to Greg’s leadership at H&R. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/23305 Mon, 30 Dec 2024 11:00:00 -0500 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/23305-video-remembering-h-and-r-agri-powers-greg-burch Remembering-H&R-Agri-Power’s-Greg-Burch.png The Kentucky-based John Deere dealership had a black eye from a lease program that spun out of control, a change in ownership, an entire turnover in its leadership team, and ill feelings from its OEM as well as inline competition. It was also trying to unite two fierce rivals who suddenly were to be on the same team, not to mention staff having to trust an all-new class of leaders who had no farming or machinery roots. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/23268 Wed, 18 Dec 2024 07:42:00 -0500 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/23268-dealership-of-the-year-eis-implement Eis-DOY-Thumbnail.png The Kentucky-based John Deere dealership had a black eye from a lease program that spun out of control, a change in ownership, an entire turnover in its leadership team, and ill feelings from its OEM as well as inline competition. It was also trying to unite two fierce rivals who suddenly were to be on the same team, not to mention staff having to trust an all-new class of leaders who had no farming or machinery roots. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/21964 Mon, 04 Dec 2023 07:42:00 -0500 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/21964-dealership-of-the-year-hutson-inc Hutson-Feature-img.jpg Since its founding in 2009, Noble Equipment’s success can be boiled down to a simple mantra: narrow and deep. This means being the top dog for haying equipment in their area — a stretch of livestock-heavy land in south-central Alberta accurately nicknamed “feedlot alley.” http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/21963 Mon, 04 Dec 2023 07:42:00 -0500 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/21963-dealership-of-the-year-noble-equipment NOBLE-Equip-Feature.jpg Noble Equipment’s newly-built Olds, Alta., location replaces its smaller, outdated building down the street and includes an improved parts department layout. Photo: Ben Thorpe The 17-part 2023 Farm Equipment Dealership of the Year video series sponsored by BigIron, features Hutson Inc. was selected as the Greater than $100 Million Dealership Winner while Noble Equipment was selected as the Less than $100 Million Dealership Winner. Farm Equipment Dealership of the Year video series sponsored by BigIron, features Hutson Inc. was selected as the Greater than $100 Million Dealership Winner while Noble Equipment was selected as the Less than $100 Million Dealership Winner.]]> http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/21961 Mon, 04 Dec 2023 07:26:00 -0500 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/21961-2023-dealership-of-the-year-video-series FE-Award_DOY_2023.png 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. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/21980 Sun, 03 Dec 2023 23:00:00 -0500 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/21980-video-offering-a-unique-precision-ag-experience-to-each-customer Offering a Unique Precision Ag Experience to Each Customer.jpg 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. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/21979 Sun, 03 Dec 2023 23:00:00 -0500 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/21979-video-expanding-precision-support-with-the-certified-dealer-instructor-program Expanding Precision Support with the Certified Dealer Instructor Program.jpg 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. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/21978 Sun, 03 Dec 2023 23:00:00 -0500 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/21978-video-benefits-of-a-corporate-business-structure-when-managing-dealership-acquisitions Benefits of a Corporate Business Structure when Managing Dealership Acquisitions.jpg 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. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/21977 Sun, 03 Dec 2023 23:00:00 -0500 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/21977-video-recruiting-students-to-become-tomorrows-ag-technicians Recruiting Students to become Tomorrow’s Ag Technicians.jpg 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. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/21976 Sun, 03 Dec 2023 23:00:00 -0500 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/21976-video-seeing-opportunities-with-new-dealership-acquisitions Seeing Opportunities with New Dealership Acquisitions.jpg 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. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/21975 Sun, 03 Dec 2023 23:00:00 -0500 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/21975-video-developing-an-internal-leadership-program Developing an Internal Leadership Program.jpg 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. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/21974 Sun, 03 Dec 2023 23:00:00 -0500 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/21974-video-communication-is-key-at-hutson-inc Communication is Key at Hutson Inc..jpg 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. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/21973 Sun, 03 Dec 2023 23:00:00 -0500 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/21973-video-developing-a-consistent-work-culture-across-new-and-old-dealerships Developing a Consistent Work Culture across New & Old Dealerships.jpg 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. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/21972 Sun, 03 Dec 2023 23:00:00 -0500 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/21972-video-the-history-of-noble-equipment The History of Noble Equipment.jpg 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. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/21971 Sun, 03 Dec 2023 23:00:00 -0500 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/21971-video-noble-equipment-succeeding-with-a-focused-product-line Noble Equipment Succeeding with a Focused Product Line.jpg Ryan Vanderberg, Co-Owner and Service Technician at Noble Equipment, describes the different methods for compensation their sales force has organized as their dealership has grown and expanded. From the early days of every man for himself to a shared bonus program, Noble Equipment has explored many different compensation methods to ensure their sales team remains competitive and successful. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/21970 Sun, 03 Dec 2023 23:00:00 -0500 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/21970-video-working-together-to-build-a-strong-sales-team Working Together to Build a Strong Sales Team.jpg As inventory populations continue to increase while wholegood sales remain stagnant, Noble Equipment Co-Owner Darren Vanderberg looks to parts and service sales as a viable revenue source. While there is a delay when seeing the profitability of parts and service when compared to wholegoods, Vanderberg explains how equipment bought years ago are now yielding additional profits from their increased need for service technicians and parts. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/21969 Sun, 03 Dec 2023 23:00:00 -0500 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/21969-video-noble-equipment-find-revenue-growth-opportunities Noble Equipment Find Revenue Growth Opportunities.jpg Co-Owner Darren Vanderberg describes the challenges involved with finding potential employees and how Noble Equipment has managed to develop a strong team environment. The 2023 Dealership of the Year winner makes use of the local community’s school to scout for new team members as well as encourages more senior staff to grow through management opportunities. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/21968 Sun, 03 Dec 2023 23:00:00 -0500 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/21968-video-the-challenges-of-growing-and-maintaining-new-staff The Challenges of Growing and Maintaining New Staff.jpg As a mainline Krone dealership, Noble Equipment had to navigate unique challenges including international roadblocks and supply chain concerns during the Covid Pandemic. As production worldwide has rebounded, Co-Owner Darren Vanderberg and Sales Manager Ryan Vanderberg discuss how their team is now faced with an inventory surplus and how to navigate the challenge of having too much equipment. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/21967 Sun, 03 Dec 2023 23:00:00 -0500 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/21967-video-managing-inventory-challenges-during-an-unprecedented-demand-cycle Managing Inventory Challenges during an Unprecedented Demand Cycle.jpg While their competitors might choose to offer a wide variety of equipment, Noble Equipment instead focuses their inventory and expertise on hay and forage equipment. This singular focus allows Noble Equipment’s team to know their equipment inside and out and stand as experts in their field. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/21966 Sun, 03 Dec 2023 23:00:00 -0500 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/21966-video-management-stepping-in-during-peak-service-demand Management Stepping in During Peak Service Demand.jpg While their competitors might choose to offer a wide variety of equipment, Noble Equipment instead focuses their inventory and expertise on hay and forage equipment. This singular focus allows Noble Equipment’s team to know their equipment inside and out and stand as experts in their field. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/21965 Sun, 03 Dec 2023 23:00:00 -0500 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/21965-video-noble-equipment-dedicated-to-a-market-niche Noble Equipment Dedicated to a Market Niche.jpg Community is the cornerstone of any successful dealership, and the 2023 Dealership of the Year Noble Equipment is no exception. Located in Nobleford, Alta., this Canadian dealership has a unique circumstance when it comes to hiring new staff. The local oilfields in the area offer high-risk high reward employment which can tempt many prospective staff members away. http://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/21960 Sun, 03 Dec 2023 23:00:00 -0500 https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/21960-video-noble-equipments-methods-for-finding-the-right-people Noble Equipment’s Methods for Finding the Right People.jpg