Huron Tractor opens at Cashtown Corners

Huron Tractor opened its new state-of-the-art facility at Cashtown Corners this week, a reflection of the company’s growth and commitment to its customers.

The service and sales centre provides much needed room to accommodate the company’s expansion and increasing workload, said store manager and Huron Tractor partner Chris Hare (above).

The John Deere dealership moved from Stayner this month, into an expansive 26,000 square foot building that has a 14-bay shop fitted with an 11,000 pound overhead crane for lifting machines and engines, a dedicated two-bay combine shop, wash bay and work areas for special equipment.

There are four sales offices, a parts department, service counter and retail area, which in addition to John Deere products and merchandise, displays Stihl and Honda power tools, among other products.

Hare said the additional space is one of the main reasons for the move.

“Ultimately the reason for the move is growth, work environment, building a first class facility and the customer, to support the products we sell with a proper servicing facility,” said Hare. “We are making a commitment that we are here for years to come.”

The Stayner location, which was just over 11,000 square feet, meant the technicians were doing a lot of work outside but the new big bay doors and high ceilings at the new facility allow them to bring the oversized equipment inside for servicing.

With the evolution of farming, the equipment has grown, said Hare.

“Fifty years ago the equipment was much smaller. Today it’s bigger than you can imagine,” he said.

In addition to accommodating customers, the building also provides a better and safer work environment for its 22 employees. There is a fully automated ventilation system and in-floor heating, a locker room and lunchroom.

Hare said Huron Tractor acquired Dave Rawn Equipment in Stayner in 2009. In the beginning, Huron Tractor had 13 employees. Since then the business has seen 75 per cent growth in seven years and with continuing growth, Hare expects within a year or two they will be hiring about five more people, including technicians and an additional sales person.

He said the location is ideal because it serves the major agricultural community in the area and the residents who purchase lawn equipment, and because of the size, they are able to stock more and varied product.

The Clearview location is the company’s ninth store in the region, making Huron Tractor one of the oldest and largest John Deere dealers in the country. Hare said he had a lot of input into the design of the new facility.

More than three years ago, he said, he had a dream about a new store.

“I went to Stedmans in Stayner and I got some paper and I drew out five designs,” he said. “It was the first one that I drew that we ended up using.”

Construction started in May and the doors are now open with regular hours being 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. Huron Tractor offers extended hours in the spring and fall and a year-round mobile service for those machines that can’t get to the shop.

An official grand opening celebration will take place on June 8.

Phone 705-466-6232 and visit www.hurontractor.com.