AGCO Corporation provided updates regarding the growth plan for its North American distribution network today. AGCO embarked on an ambitious plan in North America in 2022 to transform and expand its North American dealership network to meet growing farmer demand and ensure comprehensive access and superior customer experiences of its popular brands and services. Recent updates in its North American network include expansions in Missouri and Wisconsin by experienced AGCO dealers Brookfield Tractor, Parallel Ag, McFarlane Manufacturing Company and Vanderloop Equipment.

Dealer territory updates in Missouri and Wisconsin will help provide full access throughout both states to AGCO’s popular brands and services, including those from Fendt, Massey Ferguson and PTx. This expansion is the result of an agreed-upon transition with Ziegler Ag Equipment, which has made the decision to strategically consolidate and remain focused on its services in the Minnesota, Iowa and northwest Missouri markets. 

Existing AGCO dealerships will expand their services to support previous Ziegler Ag Equipment customers in central Missouri and southern Wisconsin. Specifically:

• Brookfield Tractor and Parallel Ag will expand their services in Missouri from locations in Brookfield, Marshall and Montgomery City; and
• McFarlane Manufacturing, Parallel Ag and Vanderloop Equipment will similarly expand services in Wisconsin.

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“This is a great opportunity for our customers,” says Cory Rothmann, McFarlanes’ outside sales, “We’re now fully staffed with a team that can help growers optimize their yield from planting to harvest. The acquisition of CMT AG LLC’s product lines rounds out our ag equipment and service offering, and we’re now a one-stop shop for our customers.” 

The future of farming depends on getting the best yield per acre. Precision technology helps growers farm smarter, and the technology requires expertise and constant education to ensure success. The acquisition of CMT AG LLC ensures that customers who buy tractors, planters, and harvesting equipment from McFarlanes’ are fully supported after the sale. 

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“They earn an honest wage, and they earn high school credits in the process,” said production manager Greg Schinker. “It allows them to understand what career opportunities are available to them… see what they like and what they don’t like at a relatively young age. And we’re providing an informed, competent, productive workforce for the future.”

The students are expected to work about 450 hours each year. Last year, five teens worked as apprentices at McFarlane.

Most apprentices have stayed with the program for two years. One has joined the company full time, and another completed the program and won a four-year partial scholarship from McFarlane.

“It’s pretty cool being able to participate with those young adults and to see the lights go on,” general manager Todd Lassanske said. “It’s been eye opening to see how much our team members embrace their presence as well. I look at some of what these young folks are experiencing as a junior or senior in high school. I didn’t get that experience as a junior or senior in college. For them to be able to do that is pretty amazing.”

The program does not designate special projects for the apprentices but rather places them in the work force as a team member.

“I think initially there was an assumption that these young kids couldn’t work in a manufacturing environment,” Lassanske said. “Really, they can do just about everything in our facility outside of operate a forklift and a crane. So it’s been really cool to watch. They really do come in and they’re part of the team.”

Schinker characterized the program as low-risk and high-reward.
“Whether they work at McFarlane for four months, four years or 40 years, they’re going to learn something, and they’re going to take something away from that experience,” he said.

Source: The Sauk Prairie Eagle | Member since 1976 |