Thank you to Huron Tractor for taking the time to put together a sponsor spotlight article for our November Bulletin. We are very grateful for their continued support of the Georgian Soil & Crop Improvement Association. It is a pleasure to get an inside perspective of the businesses that serve and support our local communities – read on to learn what drives Huron Tractor!
A little bit of history…
Huron Tractor is one of John Deere’s largest partners in Canada, with eleven locations in southern Ontario supporting agricultural operations, commercial enterprises, and homeowners.
The Exeter location, 1961.
The first Huron Tractor facility was opened in Exeter by Jack Van Bussel and his family in 1961. As the business grew, new partners and locations were added, including Blyth (1973), Thamesford (1993), St. Thomas (1999), Mitchell (2006), and Hyde Park (2008).
Huron Tractor Chatsworth was originally opened in 1951 operating as Ivan J.H. Carmichael Ltd. In 2005 they joined with the Walkerton store (formerly Bruce Tractor) to operate together as Northridge Tractor. Chatsworth and Walkerton were acquired by Huron Tractor in 2009, along with Stayner (2009), and Chatham & Comber (2021).
Aerial image of Huron Tractor Chatsworth.
Scott Gilmore is the store manager at Huron Tractor Chatsworth and has a strong connection to the region. Scott grew up locally working in his family’s farm supply dealership and previously held roles of general manager at Bruce Tractor, Northridge Tractor, and Huron Tractor Stayner.
Another key team member with long-standing history and ties to the area, is Huron Tractor Chatsworth sales representative Bradey Carmichael. Bradey is the son of Ivan Carmichael and has been dedicated to serving local customers in this business for over 51 years.
Bradey Carmichael.
Naturally, there have been many changes since Huron Tractor first opened. Some of the biggest include farm consolidation, equipment size, and technology. What remains the same is the importance of keeping customers up and running with parts, service, and technology.
Continual Improvement
Huron Tractor stays focused on continual improvement in customer service, to earn customer’s business as the industry further evolves. A lot of energy is put into continuous learning opportunities for both employees and customers. Sharing the latest insights at events like the annual Combine Clinic and Precision Ag Training Workshops are vital to being a committed business partner for customers.
The 2022 Combine Clinic.
Programs like Huron Tractor’s Annual Service Inspection (ASI) are also key to helping customers succeed. The ASI Certification process includes a complete model-specific checklist, to ensure equipment is ready to go when it’s needed most. Since this work is done in the off-season, Huron Tractor is able to pass along parts and labour discounts to the customer. This also helps to decrease downtime and prevent failures during critical times. Properly maintained equipment is the best insurance for staying in the field and the ASI program is Huron Tractor’s best solution to help reduce costs and keep machines running their best.
A Huron Tractor service truck.
Strengths and Challenges
Today’s agricultural environment offers many challenges as well as exciting innovations. With increasing food production needs, there are many excellent and rewarding jobs in agriculture, however finding people to fill them is a challenge for farm operations. Right now, Precision Ag Technology is helping to meet ever increasing demands by making farmers more efficient with their time, more accurate with their input management, and more productive than ever. This is an exciting opportunity, and use of Precision Ag Technology is a strength for agriculture.
For example, Huron Tractor is showing customers the advantages of technology like Section Control, which can help reduce input costs and increase yields. Documentation of field data can take production management from a per field level, to a per acre level and allow farmers better profitability management.
Huron Tractor Precision Ag.
Seeing customers grow and succeed is what makes the Huron Tractor team most proud, along with the economic contribution made to the communities served. Huron Tractor is a major employer in the agri-business segment, employing over 335 people across its 11 locations.
Huron Tractor is also committed to excellence in education and the long-term sustainability of Ontario Agriculture. In support of this commitment, they offer a scholarship fund for applicants who are enrolled for the first year in full-time undergraduate or graduate agricultural programs at a recognized post-secondary educational institution. The program runs annually and applicants are reviewed and decided upon by an independent Scholarship Selection Committee. In 2022, scholarships of $1750 each, were awarded to four applicants from the community, and also awarded internally to four Huron Tractor employee’s children.
Supporting the Georgian SCIA
Huron Tractor’s approach to business has always put the customer first – and this includes providing customers with new information and education. Sponsoring the Georgian SCIA aligns with these efforts by helping to support producer education, introducing new methods of crop and soil management, and assisting farm businesses with profitability, productivity and sustainability.
Moving Forward
Huron Tractor’s mission is “being the dealership of first choice by:
Providing top quality equipment and services to our customers;
Providing a rewarding workplace for our employees;
Being a responsible and supportive member of the community;
Making a commitment for planned growth and returns;
And maintaining strong and rewarding relationships with suppliers.”
It is with both pride and humility that Huron Tractor continues to grow on the strong foundation built by long-term dedicated team members over many years. Huron Tractor knows that farming isn’t just a business; it’s a way of life. There is always a sense of honour, privilege, and commitment in serving the agriculture community.