Conventions are all about relationship building and, just like making an outsider feel welcome at a party, it’s easy to draw a new member into a discussion and introduce them to other members with common interests. As a seasoned member you are an important resource! Who better than you to bring a new member into the fold by sharing information, ideas and the benefits of membership in our Association?

Engagement during the first year of membership and every year after, is key to the retention of our members. The more comfortable new members feel, the longer they will stay, get involved and become more connected to the industry. And, you just never know, that new member that you shook hands with may just become one of your key distribution partners in the future.

If you haven’t completed the 2023 Supply Summit & Showcase survey, please submit your responses by May 1.

Note: Complete survey results will be published in the May 23 issue of Shortliner.

By: Kyle Scheele, an author, champion of crazy ideas and recent keynote speaker at the 2023 Supply Summit & Showcase.

We’ve all said it before: “If only I had more (time/money/staff/etc.) I could get this done!”

It’s certainly an enticing excuse – after all, it feels natural to blame a lack of progress on a lack of resources – but is it a valid excuse?

In extreme cases, absolutely. If you are given no time, no money, and no team, it’s hard to get much of anything done. But what about the times when you have a budget, but it’s a little less than you’d hoped? When your deadline is a little sooner than you’d prefer? Your team a little smaller than you’d like?

In those cases, constraints may actually benefit the end product more than you think. Here’s why:

Constraints facilitate focus
Without limitations, it’s tempting to start adding features for the sake of adding features.

Someone says, “What if we made a product that did A, B, C?”
A colleague chimes in: “For 20% more, we could also have it do X, Y, and Z…” Soon someone has tacked on L-M-N-O-P and before we know it, we’ve got half the alphabet on board!
The result is often a product that kind of does a lot of things, but doesn’t do any of them well.

But when resources are constrained, you’re forced to focus on the objectives that truly matter. The resulting clarity often creates a product that only does a few things, but does them exceptionally well.

Constraints require resourcefulness
When resources are abundant, the easiest solution to a problem is “throw more money/people/etc. at it!” But when those things dry up, you’re forced to get resourceful. You start digging through the supply closet, rounding up leftover parts from past projects, and pulling in help from team members who work in other departments.

Combing these odds and ends often ends up leading to an unexpected breakthrough that wouldn’t have happened otherwise.

Constraints inspire innovation
When we feel constrained, it’s natural to push against those constraints. And when we do, we find gaps. We find soft spots. We find ways to work within and around the constraints to get the job done.

We start asking questions like, “What tools do I have available? How could I get more out of those tools? How could I use those tools in new and unexpected ways?” Those questions can lead to innovative solutions that wouldn’t have been found in a resource-rich environment.

Constraints foster collaboration
When you don’t have money or staff to solve a problem, you do the next best thing: phone a friend!

That’s a smart move. The odds are that someone in your network has solved a problem very similar to the one you’re trying to solve now. Maybe they’ve solved the same problem in a different industry, or at a different scale, or with a slightly different set of constraints. But by hearing their story, you’ll save yourself time, money, and headaches.
But the best part is this: collaboration works both ways! Oftentimes as the conversation unfolds you discover that you have the solution to one of their problems too. It’s a win-win.

Constraints build resiliency and strength

I was once speaking at a high school in New York when a girl asked if I’d like to buy some fundraising chocolates to support her field hockey team.
I asked “Are you guys any good?” She laughed and said “No, we’re terrible!”

Her friend jumped in and said “Well, the team is terrible, but she’s actually really good. She’s the fourth best goalie in the nation.”

I asked the girl “Is that true?” and she nodded.

“That’s amazing!” I said. Then the girl said something I’ll never forget.

“When your team stinks, you get a lot of opportunities to be a good goalie.”

The truth is, tough times build tough people. When you’re forced to work in difficult environments, you build skill sets that will serve you for years to come. Because of her work on that “terrible” team, the girl was getting a full ride scholarship to play field hockey in college. Her struggles had elevated her to a position where she was able to shine.

Creative thinkers are often described as “thinking outside the box”. But the reality is that true creativity thrives within constraints. Truly creative individuals find ways to work inside the box, building within the parameters they are given to produce unexpected, brilliant results.

These days there are plenty of outside constraints forced upon us: Rising interest rates, workforce shortages, supply chain issues, recession fears, the list goes on and on. In times like these, it’s easy to think “We should pull back. We should hold off. We should wait until the seas calm.” But that’s a mistake. Tough times are when true innovators shine.

Want to join Kyle’s Email List?

Over 35,000 people have signed up for Kyle’s email list. Want to join them? Some people use their email newsletters for boring stuff. Kyle’s develop, amplify, and spread crazy ideas. His subscribers have helped him brainstorm ways to outfit a karate raccoon… they’ve helped him put on TWO fake marathons…And, they’re the first ones to hear about his new projects. Videos of Kyle’s crazy projects have been viewed over 200 million times.

Sound like fun? Members can sign up at KyleScheele.com. Go to the bottom of the page and enter your email to subscribe.

The creative minds at PEER Chain sponsored a March Madness booth during the Supply Summit & Showcase in Sandestin, FL. Contestants threw chains and sprockets into a non-regulation basketball hoop for the chance to pick the NCAA team that would advance to the final four and win it all.  

Seven finalists all chose the University of Connecticut and after a drawing to determine the lucky winner, Scott Knaack from Prince Manufacturing brought home bragging rights and $500 in cash! 

Thank you to PEER Chain for making this year’s Showcase a great success. They have set the bar very high! We are issuing a exhibitor challenge for next year’s Showcase at the Little Rock Marriot April 3-5. Do you have what it takes to top their creativity?

Brown stated, “This industry is a tight knit group with dedicated people whose focus is to make the organization better. We face a lot of challenges today and it’s important that suppliers and equipment manufacturers continue to work together to provide our farmers with the resources crucial to produce the crops they need to keep farms thriving and food on our tables.” Brown continued, “Our organization provides us with that opportunity, and I am excited to to be in this new role and assist our members in taking on these challenges.”

Also elected to officer roles were Mary Sutton of Muir Omni Graphics as vice chair; Steve Ford Sr. of CBS Global as treasurer and Chris Smith of Comer Industries, secretary.

Brown succeeds Marc Adams of GBGI as chairman. Also continuing to serve will be Alex Mussa of SNA Manufacturing LLC, Joe Sampson of Osmundson Manufacturing, Co., and Dalton Carr of Superior Gearbox.

Also, appointed to a first term were J.C. Hatton of Metal Parts & Equipment.

• C&U Americas LLC
• Comer Industries
• Eaton Steel
• Hodell-Natco Industries
• HSC Industrial Coatings
• IBT Industrial Solutions
• Iowa Spring Mfg. and Sales
• Lethbridge Iron Works (Leth Iron)
• Maruichi Leavitt Pipe & Tube
• Muir Omni Graphics
• Myers Spring Co. Inc
• NIM Group
• Royal Brass and Hose
• Tri State Equipment
• Valmont Industries, Inc.
• Vogelsang Fastener Solutions
• Winamac Coil Spring, Inc.

10. Education: Attending will help you make good business decisions. Would you like some insight into the current and future economy for business planning? Are you curious about incentives and grants available for manufacturers? Do you need information about multi-jurisdictional taxes or product safety programs? Or, are you an entrepreneur learning how to professionally manage a growing business? Our Supply Summit speakers will inspire, educate, and energize.

9. Perspective: Good things come when you can step away from the daily grind. Matt Westendorf, an Association board member and general manager at Westendorf Manufacturing, says it is tough to make the time, but “as soon as you get to a meeting, you realize that when you take a break from day-to-day work, important things come out. Your mind clears, you hear what others in the industry are doing … it just gives you a broad approach and a bigger picture.”

8. Fun: Destin offers something for everyone. It features pristine white sand beaches, emerald waters, upscale shopping, vibrant nightlife, and is often referred to as the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village.”

7. Solutions: You’ll find solutions to problems. We hear stories every year of a manufacturer meeting a supplier at the product showcase and stumbling onto a game-changing solution. Former Association president John Tye with Lubbock Fastener Supply describes it like this: “You walk by a table and look at something, and you say, ‘That’s the sort of thing we are looking for, but it needs to be like this. Can you make it like this?’ In most cases, the answer is ‘If you want to buy it, we can make it.’”

6. Golf: Let’s be honest, your golf game needs work. What better place than the Raven Golf Club in the Sunshine State to practice your swing while you discuss the price of steel, supply chain challenges, or finding the best people in a competitive labor market.

5. Networking: Relationships are the key to success, and this meeting is about relationships. “Networking is so important, and we have forged relationships at the Summit that go back decades,” said Ben Hellbusch, Association President with Duo Lift Manufacturing. “You see people that you’ve known for years, and you also meet new people. I always leave with a fresh perspective and new ways to problem solve.”

4. Value: The Summit provides unmatched value. Association member Nick Jensen from Edney Distributing and a former Association president, said that attending gives you a leg up on your competition. “We always learn something new about distribution law at these meetings, which in the long run, has more than paid for the price of the meeting and membership fees.”

3. Productivity: There is no better place to maximize your time. This is your chance to meet with supplier companies that represent parts, materials and service providers worldwide, all in one place. It will save you time— seriously. In three days, you can take a tour of a manufacturing plant, meet suppliers, learn from industry experts, and get ideas from a couple hundred industry colleagues.

2. Growth: It can drive growth. John Brown from Myers Spring, a member of the Supplier Board of Governors, said the company’s business has grown as a result of the Summit. “We’ve met a lot of decision makers here. Myers Spring is a larger part of the ag market because of the Association.”

1. Innovation: This is a moment in the industry and nation when a little creative thinking may lead to a breakthrough. With changes in tax law (we’ll cover that), emerging energy technologies (learn more about that, too), and techniques for turning your company into an innovation machine (on the agenda). And, with the agriculture economy poised for recovery — this is a good time to pursue innovations not only in product development but workplace strategies. You just may find your “aha moment” in Sandestin.

Member Receptions

Attendees gather as a complete group for the first time at the Welcome Party and Dinner Tuesday evening. This is a travel day for many, and others will have spent the morning fishing at the marina or on the golf course. First-time attendees are invited to join Association leadership at an exclusive “new members only” reception to get to know one another and ask questions about the Association, and membership.

Fishing

Before the Summit opens on Monday, join fellow members on a fun networking adventure with Lil’ Lucky Fishing Charters. Launching from the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort’s Baytowne Marina, anglers will fish the Choctawhatchee Bay for redfish, speckled trout, black drum, sheepshead, and more. Eat what you catch for lunch. Find out more info at Farmequip.org/Fishing.

Golf

The annual golf tournament is being held at Raven Golf Club in Sandestin on Tuesday. The course is a visually stunning 6,900- yard par 71 that was home to the Boeing PGA Champions tour in 2006/2007.  The cost to play is $150 and $70 for club rental. See who’s signed up to golf at .

Walk/Run

Wednesday is a long day for Summit attendees. Start yours with the shot of energy that comes from a fresh air, a brisk walk, conversation with others, and a continental breakfast. Join us at Baytowne Wharf, just steps from Hotel Effie. Participants will receive a commemorative t-shirt at no additional cost. See who’s registered at .

Crawl

The Village of Baytowne Wharf features an array of boutiques, eateries, galleries and nightlife. Association members will raise their glasses here during the Summit’s 8th annual exploration of nightlife, otherwise known as “the crawl.” Stops are planned for Hammerhead’s Bar and Grille, The Village Door Restaurant & Entertainment, Fat Tuesday and Rum Runners Dueling Piano Bar. The cost for the event is $25, which includes a commemorative t-shirt and entitles you to happy-hour prices all evening long. Check out FarmEquip.org/SummitCrawl for more information and to see who’s registered.

Dolphin Cruise

Just added to the schedule, our Suppliers have organized a privately chartered dolphin cruise from Sun Venture Cruises on Tuesday. Set out to sea in search of dolphins on a Catamaran-style boat that gives you close up views and great pictures of friendly dolphins frolicking in the surf. The cost for this event is $99. Sponsorship opportunities are available, please contact Tricia for more details at TKidd@FarmEquip.org or call 314.878.2304.

Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur, a manager in a growing firm or an heir to a family business, this workshop will help you on your journey as an Emerging Owner.  During this workshop, you will learn the fundamentals of finance and accounting required as a business owner and how to professionally manage a growing business. In addition, we will dive into what it means to be a leader and an owner, all while managing employees who may be family members or are your former peers. Come and learn what it means to transition from employee to owner, and the leadership skills it takes to create a workplace that offers opportunity and long-term profitability.

This workshop will take place Monday afternoon, March 20 at the Supply Summit and will be presented by Alex Breitinger, Principal; Travis Free, Senior Manager; Kala Jenkins, Manager.