Kurt Boris

With all the time we put into developing our single auger grain cart and our dual auger grain cart, it's kind of a linchpin at harvest. Now, Kyle touched on an auger. It's your bottleneck for most operations, but having a dependable grain cart in the field servicing one or multiple combines just keeps the entire operation moving on time and in sync.

With all the time we put into developing our single auger grain cart and our dual auger grain cart, it's kind of a linchpin at harvest. Now, Kyle touched on an auger. It's your bottleneck for most operations, but having a dependable grain cart in the field servicing one or multiple combines just keeps the entire operation moving on time and in sync.

Kurt, what about you? Yeah. Uh, thanks for having me as well. Um, Kurt Boris, I'm the director of product marketing. So I cover all of our manufacturer products, which includes our ag products, but, uh, extends into our construction and purpose built product lines as well that brand covers. Um, Been with the company about eight years now. Work primarily on the egg side for a couple years now.

Kurt, what about you? Yeah. Uh, thanks for having me as well. Um, Kurt Boris, I'm the director of product marketing. So I cover all of our manufacturer products, which includes our ag products, but, uh, extends into our construction and purpose built product lines as well that brand covers. Um, Been with the company about eight years now. Work primarily on the egg side for a couple years now.

I've been overseeing the whole portfolio, run a team of guys that are working with our sales teams, working with our internal marketing teams, making sure we're talking about our products the way that we want to and the way that our customers understand them and selling the value on that side of it. Been around the farm all my life.

I've been overseeing the whole portfolio, run a team of guys that are working with our sales teams, working with our internal marketing teams, making sure we're talking about our products the way that we want to and the way that our customers understand them and selling the value on that side of it. Been around the farm all my life.

Grew up on a small grains farm in Western Canada, so I'm based out of Regina, Saskatchewan, where our head office is. Worked for a number of different egg companies coming up out of school.

Grew up on a small grains farm in Western Canada, so I'm based out of Regina, Saskatchewan, where our head office is. Worked for a number of different egg companies coming up out of school.

dabbled with tech for a little bit, got used to doing some digital products and stuff like that, but it's always been tied into marketing and product development, and that's kind of where I'm sitting these days in Brant, too.

dabbled with tech for a little bit, got used to doing some digital products and stuff like that, but it's always been tied into marketing and product development, and that's kind of where I'm sitting these days in Brant, too.

Yeah, absolutely. So we've been around for 80-plus years as a manufacturing company. We got our start in agriculture, making grain augers and handling products there. But ever since the mid-90s, we got into the dealership side of the business as well as manufacturing. We're the world's largest John Deere construction and forestry dealership.

Yeah, absolutely. So we've been around for 80-plus years as a manufacturing company. We got our start in agriculture, making grain augers and handling products there. But ever since the mid-90s, we got into the dealership side of the business as well as manufacturing. We're the world's largest John Deere construction and forestry dealership.

So all of Canada, 56 stores, covers our construction forestry side of the business. And then we extend into Australia and New Zealand as well with dealerships that we run there on that side. We recently, and a few years ago, got into the agricultural dealership side of things, selling John Deere out of the ag stores as well.

So all of Canada, 56 stores, covers our construction forestry side of the business. And then we extend into Australia and New Zealand as well with dealerships that we run there on that side. We recently, and a few years ago, got into the agricultural dealership side of things, selling John Deere out of the ag stores as well.

We're also in the Peterbilt truck industry as well with dealerships throughout Canada and New Zealand on that side of it too. So very diverse, just even on the dealership side of it. And then you flip over to my world within manufacturing, lots of ag products that we're here and well known for throughout the US and Canada.

We're also in the Peterbilt truck industry as well with dealerships throughout Canada and New Zealand on that side of it too. So very diverse, just even on the dealership side of it. And then you flip over to my world within manufacturing, lots of ag products that we're here and well known for throughout the US and Canada.

But we also deal with construction attachments for the John Deere machines that we sell through the dealerships and manufacture there. As well as purpose built machines. We do everything from a hydro excavator truck on a Peterbilt chassis to a scrap material handler for scrapyard recycling operations.

But we also deal with construction attachments for the John Deere machines that we sell through the dealerships and manufacture there. As well as purpose built machines. We do everything from a hydro excavator truck on a Peterbilt chassis to a scrap material handler for scrapyard recycling operations.

So large John Deere based machines that we work very closely with a value partner like John Deere. and use donor source machines to convert into purpose-built construction, scrap handling, pipe layers in the oil and gas industry. We're kind of all over the board with that, but do a lot of business with very unique customers throughout our dealership side of the business.

So large John Deere based machines that we work very closely with a value partner like John Deere. and use donor source machines to convert into purpose-built construction, scrap handling, pipe layers in the oil and gas industry. We're kind of all over the board with that, but do a lot of business with very unique customers throughout our dealership side of the business.

We're always looking for an opportunity to say, where is something that that original manufacturer doesn't provide a solution for our valued customer and how can we get in and close that loop a little bit with something that's very specific and neat for us.

We're always looking for an opportunity to say, where is something that that original manufacturer doesn't provide a solution for our valued customer and how can we get in and close that loop a little bit with something that's very specific and neat for us.

I guess in which industry are we talking?

I guess in which industry are we talking?

Yeah, I'd say it's primarily attachments with our close relationship selling deer products back in Canada and overseas. So... Again, really unique position. We make a very purpose-built suite of attachment products that suit the Western Canadian market and, well, I should say the entire Canadian market and some of the unique climates and geographies that we operate in up there.

Yeah, I'd say it's primarily attachments with our close relationship selling deer products back in Canada and overseas. So... Again, really unique position. We make a very purpose-built suite of attachment products that suit the Western Canadian market and, well, I should say the entire Canadian market and some of the unique climates and geographies that we operate in up there.

So that really sets us apart for our customer base in Canada.

So that really sets us apart for our customer base in Canada.

I'm digging deeper here. We've got a full range of buckets for a full line of John Deere equipment. So you're talking about dig buckets and clean-out buckets and everything, thumbs and grapples, everything in between for – wheel loaders, excavators, compact construction equipment.

I'm digging deeper here. We've got a full range of buckets for a full line of John Deere equipment. So you're talking about dig buckets and clean-out buckets and everything, thumbs and grapples, everything in between for – wheel loaders, excavators, compact construction equipment.

We have our facility based in Hudson, Illinois, just outside of Bloomington there. It's a dedicated cart facility, so all of our grain carts are coming out of that factory.

We have our facility based in Hudson, Illinois, just outside of Bloomington there. It's a dedicated cart facility, so all of our grain carts are coming out of that factory.

Yeah, they're coming back to Canada that way too.

Yeah, they're coming back to Canada that way too.

Yeah, I think it was a bit of a strategic move on our part. We have been in the U.S. selling products for a long time now, but having a presence here locally... right in the heart of the Midwest, made a lot of sense for us. Distribution is a big advantage for it then too. Yes, all those carts are coming back to Canada where we have really strong brand presence.

Yeah, I think it was a bit of a strategic move on our part. We have been in the U.S. selling products for a long time now, but having a presence here locally... right in the heart of the Midwest, made a lot of sense for us. Distribution is a big advantage for it then too. Yes, all those carts are coming back to Canada where we have really strong brand presence.

But if you're looking to grow and push and really develop the market, having that local presence on the ground for parts distribution, access to product is a huge advantage on our side.

But if you're looking to grow and push and really develop the market, having that local presence on the ground for parts distribution, access to product is a huge advantage on our side.

Yeah, for sure.

Yeah, for sure.

You'd sneak over there for that. I was going to say, you try to stay or they try to keep you out.

You'd sneak over there for that. I was going to say, you try to stay or they try to keep you out.

I think we're pretty steady at that point now. We've grown substantially over the last even five years with our dealership expansion. It allowed us to get a lot more sophisticated and progressive with how we're sourcing and supplying components, developing really strong relationships with our suppliers.

I think we're pretty steady at that point now. We've grown substantially over the last even five years with our dealership expansion. It allowed us to get a lot more sophisticated and progressive with how we're sourcing and supplying components, developing really strong relationships with our suppliers.

Since some of that downturn that we saw throughout the pandemic and whatnot, we have really pushed and solidified our supply chain on that.

Since some of that downturn that we saw throughout the pandemic and whatnot, we have really pushed and solidified our supply chain on that.

Absolutely. We value that. The customer's voice matters. throughout our development process above all else within it. There's no stronger advocate than our own users and customers and I think every company here at the show would say that but we take it very much to heart and there's no better

Absolutely. We value that. The customer's voice matters. throughout our development process above all else within it. There's no stronger advocate than our own users and customers and I think every company here at the show would say that but we take it very much to heart and there's no better

example the fact that cory's talking about his forward reach auger on his xt grain car yeah somebody that's missing here you're not supposed to call it big stick yeah somebody had a sore neck at one time tanner was on our customer advisory group for the development of that project i reached out to him through social media and developed a little bit of a conversation there and we got him involved and picked his brain quite a bit with a number of other customers throughout the uh

example the fact that cory's talking about his forward reach auger on his xt grain car yeah somebody that's missing here you're not supposed to call it big stick yeah somebody had a sore neck at one time tanner was on our customer advisory group for the development of that project i reached out to him through social media and developed a little bit of a conversation there and we got him involved and picked his brain quite a bit with a number of other customers throughout the uh

couple of years that we were developing that product there. And, uh, really we, we try to go and seek, uh, users of our product, you know, some guys that have some loyalty and awareness of our product, but we go out and we try and find just as many guys that are using competitive product to understand, uh, kind of what they do really well, where some of the opportunities may lay for us.

couple of years that we were developing that product there. And, uh, really we, we try to go and seek, uh, users of our product, you know, some guys that have some loyalty and awareness of our product, but we go out and we try and find just as many guys that are using competitive product to understand, uh, kind of what they do really well, where some of the opportunities may lay for us.

And we bring them in multiple times throughout our development of that, uh, product, reviewing concepts, going through actual designs, validating things that maybe we're assuming versus just knowing through data and whatnot. But, uh,

And we bring them in multiple times throughout our development of that, uh, product, reviewing concepts, going through actual designs, validating things that maybe we're assuming versus just knowing through data and whatnot. But, uh,

and then getting their feedback all along and having them work directly with our engineering team, working directly with our sales team, with the boots on the ground guys, just to make sure that we're not missing some of those obvious points.

and then getting their feedback all along and having them work directly with our engineering team, working directly with our sales team, with the boots on the ground guys, just to make sure that we're not missing some of those obvious points.

In fact, not 30 minutes ago, we were on the phone as a group with the engineering team about some things that we noticed on a product that we're making tweaks to right now, going, hey, if we just do it like this, we've heard a couple things here at the show. We've talked to a few of the sales guys that have been selling more of these products than anybody else right now.

In fact, not 30 minutes ago, we were on the phone as a group with the engineering team about some things that we noticed on a product that we're making tweaks to right now, going, hey, if we just do it like this, we've heard a couple things here at the show. We've talked to a few of the sales guys that have been selling more of these products than anybody else right now.

Here's what they got to say. Let's make the changes on the fly as we go right now kind of thing.

Here's what they got to say. Let's make the changes on the fly as we go right now kind of thing.

I don't know. Kyle's looking at me on that side.

I don't know. Kyle's looking at me on that side.

I think for the most part with domestically manufactured product, there's not really any hiccups that I've been ever aware of on that side of it. I mean, there's a set of standards and rules that you follow, but they're not difficult to follow.

I think for the most part with domestically manufactured product, there's not really any hiccups that I've been ever aware of on that side of it. I mean, there's a set of standards and rules that you follow, but they're not difficult to follow.

Yeah, that's a big part of it.

Yeah, that's a big part of it.

I think it's generally positive, right? We continue to grow and expand very aggressively. We have a private ownership group that has eyes on big goals, right? Uh, worldwide that includes our manufacturing division that includes our dealership division, uh, looking to grow and continue to build the relationships within all the dedicated industries that we operate in.

I think it's generally positive, right? We continue to grow and expand very aggressively. We have a private ownership group that has eyes on big goals, right? Uh, worldwide that includes our manufacturing division that includes our dealership division, uh, looking to grow and continue to build the relationships within all the dedicated industries that we operate in.

And, uh, I think it's that motivation from the family owned business aspect that really pushes everybody within the company to kind of achieve those same goals. And, uh, I think it's positive. We we've stuck through and survived quite a few ups and downs in the industry. whether that's on the construction side or definitely here on the ag side for sure.

And, uh, I think it's that motivation from the family owned business aspect that really pushes everybody within the company to kind of achieve those same goals. And, uh, I think it's positive. We we've stuck through and survived quite a few ups and downs in the industry. whether that's on the construction side or definitely here on the ag side for sure.

And we haven't gone away and we haven't shrunk back from the challenge by any means. So we keep pushing forward and generally a really good outlook.

And we haven't gone away and we haven't shrunk back from the challenge by any means. So we keep pushing forward and generally a really good outlook.

do you have a feel for the whole world and what the economy is of scale there i know it's a loaded question that's a lot to put on my shoulders is just a product guy on that side we're gonna get a crystal ball and we're just gonna make it blurry that's all we're gonna do i'd say definitely canada and even worldwide we're experiencing a lot of the same challenges that we're seeing down here for sure with commodity prices you know we had some really good years recently uh with with crop prices uh back home and around the world and

do you have a feel for the whole world and what the economy is of scale there i know it's a loaded question that's a lot to put on my shoulders is just a product guy on that side we're gonna get a crystal ball and we're just gonna make it blurry that's all we're gonna do i'd say definitely canada and even worldwide we're experiencing a lot of the same challenges that we're seeing down here for sure with commodity prices you know we had some really good years recently uh with with crop prices uh back home and around the world and

You know, things aren't always going to stay where they are in the good times on that side of it. But there's still a lot of general optimism. Our crops are looking great back home. We've heard good things from overseas in Australia as well, too. So, I mean, that's going to put the optimism in the farmer's hands a little bit, right? And we work with that.

You know, things aren't always going to stay where they are in the good times on that side of it. But there's still a lot of general optimism. Our crops are looking great back home. We've heard good things from overseas in Australia as well, too. So, I mean, that's going to put the optimism in the farmer's hands a little bit, right? And we work with that.

Yeah, for sure. I'll try and say something that doesn't get me in trouble with my higher-ups. That's for sure.

Yeah, for sure. I'll try and say something that doesn't get me in trouble with my higher-ups. That's for sure.

Greg would probably be happy over there looking at me. He's excited for me as a few things that are on their highs. And I think the big thing for Brent right now is – Doubling down on our commitment to the quality of standard product that we put out there right now.

Greg would probably be happy over there looking at me. He's excited for me as a few things that are on their highs. And I think the big thing for Brent right now is – Doubling down on our commitment to the quality of standard product that we put out there right now.

We definitely have always got something in the pipeline, whether it's new versions of what's kind of gotten our success levels to where they are right now or looking for the next great idea.

We definitely have always got something in the pipeline, whether it's new versions of what's kind of gotten our success levels to where they are right now or looking for the next great idea.

I mean, that's why we have people like myself and a number of other guys that are coming down to the booth right now that are out there walking through the show right now, talking to customers, talking to other manufacturers and dealers alike, just seeing where things are moving. What are those growing needs?

I mean, that's why we have people like myself and a number of other guys that are coming down to the booth right now that are out there walking through the show right now, talking to customers, talking to other manufacturers and dealers alike, just seeing where things are moving. What are those growing needs?

You know, the, the big companies like deer do a great job of fulfilling their core customers needs, but there's always an opportunity that's kind of lies, lies a little bit deeper for companies like brand to take advantage of on that side of it. And, and we work really hard to, uh, to make sure that we're committed to filling those needs. Awesome.

You know, the, the big companies like deer do a great job of fulfilling their core customers needs, but there's always an opportunity that's kind of lies, lies a little bit deeper for companies like brand to take advantage of on that side of it. And, and we work really hard to, uh, to make sure that we're committed to filling those needs. Awesome.

Going into harvest? Yep. Going into harvest. One of our brand grain belts for sure. The hardest grain belt, if you're growing any sensitive crops or anything like Corey was mentioning that you're going to experience any type of dockage or anything like that that affects your world, I'd say get into our grain belts.

Going into harvest? Yep. Going into harvest. One of our brand grain belts for sure. The hardest grain belt, if you're growing any sensitive crops or anything like Corey was mentioning that you're going to experience any type of dockage or anything like that that affects your world, I'd say get into our grain belts.

I'd say our high-speed disc. Okay. It's a big, huge entry into— And I have a disc already, so why? There you go. I would say we—elevator pitch-wise, we have the most consistent and ground engagement with any high-speed disc on the market.

I'd say our high-speed disc. Okay. It's a big, huge entry into— And I have a disc already, so why? There you go. I would say we—elevator pitch-wise, we have the most consistent and ground engagement with any high-speed disc on the market.

We put a lot of detail into that in achieving—you know, coming in late to the market to the high-speed disc space, we learned a lot from everybody that's out there. We got to cherry pick a lot of really good things and develop some innovations on our side as well.

We put a lot of detail into that in achieving—you know, coming in late to the market to the high-speed disc space, we learned a lot from everybody that's out there. We got to cherry pick a lot of really good things and develop some innovations on our side as well.

Yep.

Yep.

I mean... I got a lot of good Canadian products I can throw out there that don't really have the established presence down here. Getting into spring, open up the fields. You can't beat a good heavy harrow when you're dealing with cereal crops. But I'll speak a little bit more down here, too. I mean, you can keep on that.

I mean... I got a lot of good Canadian products I can throw out there that don't really have the established presence down here. Getting into spring, open up the fields. You can't beat a good heavy harrow when you're dealing with cereal crops. But I'll speak a little bit more down here, too. I mean, you can keep on that.

I would say land rollers are a really good one coming into spring post-planting, getting out there, making sure that you're dealing with any ruts or uneven fields, and we offer a really good, again, ground-engaging tool that gives you a good, consistent field finish.

I would say land rollers are a really good one coming into spring post-planting, getting out there, making sure that you're dealing with any ruts or uneven fields, and we offer a really good, again, ground-engaging tool that gives you a good, consistent field finish.

grain cart with all the time we put into developing our single auger grain cart dual auger grain cart it's it's kind of a linchpin at harvest now kyle touched on an auger you know it's it's your bottleneck for most operations but having a dependable grain cart in the field servicing one or multiple combines just keeps the entire operation moving on time and in sync i'm putting you a little on the spot here but do you have a how many how many years to pay that off

grain cart with all the time we put into developing our single auger grain cart dual auger grain cart it's it's kind of a linchpin at harvest now kyle touched on an auger you know it's it's your bottleneck for most operations but having a dependable grain cart in the field servicing one or multiple combines just keeps the entire operation moving on time and in sync i'm putting you a little on the spot here but do you have a how many how many years to pay that off

I don't have that number off the top of my head, to be honest with you. I guess it's different for every operation. Yeah, there's a lot of variables there, but we try to keep those things in mind when we're developing it so it can be calculated into a customer's ROI for sure.

I don't have that number off the top of my head, to be honest with you. I guess it's different for every operation. Yeah, there's a lot of variables there, but we try to keep those things in mind when we're developing it so it can be calculated into a customer's ROI for sure.

Yeah, hardly ever.

Yeah, hardly ever.

Yeah, I get the benefit of not having to sell and having all the pressure on it. The one I like talking about most, I'd say field belts for sure. High-speed discs have a lot to offer, a lot of good unique value. Grand carts as well, all equit, all stay on that side of it. They just are an undervalued piece of the harvest operation for sure.

Yeah, I get the benefit of not having to sell and having all the pressure on it. The one I like talking about most, I'd say field belts for sure. High-speed discs have a lot to offer, a lot of good unique value. Grand carts as well, all equit, all stay on that side of it. They just are an undervalued piece of the harvest operation for sure.

Well, I mean, it's an indirect application. I've been looking for a good opportunity to squeeze this one into the conversation, and it kind of ties back into something with you, Dave, is even just in transportation and logistics in general, whether it's hay or anything else that you're moving on the product, we have a full line of... equipment hauling trailers now.

Well, I mean, it's an indirect application. I've been looking for a good opportunity to squeeze this one into the conversation, and it kind of ties back into something with you, Dave, is even just in transportation and logistics in general, whether it's hay or anything else that you're moving on the product, we have a full line of... equipment hauling trailers now.

Everything from a small 8-ton tilt deck or 5-ton car equipment hauler type trailer all the way up into we do low boy heavy hauls as well. Oh, really? Okay, very good. Again, that's part of that diversified portfolio of products that we manufacture.

Everything from a small 8-ton tilt deck or 5-ton car equipment hauler type trailer all the way up into we do low boy heavy hauls as well. Oh, really? Okay, very good. Again, that's part of that diversified portfolio of products that we manufacture.

But getting a heavy-duty, well-built trailer that we design around construction contractors needs, but being able to find a place for that on the farm, whether it's moving the skid loader, whether it's throwing a few bales of hay on it, whatever it may be. Love it. It's just a great gap filling product kind of thing for us.

But getting a heavy-duty, well-built trailer that we design around construction contractors needs, but being able to find a place for that on the farm, whether it's moving the skid loader, whether it's throwing a few bales of hay on it, whatever it may be. Love it. It's just a great gap filling product kind of thing for us.

Yeah, for sure. We've taken technology to heart. I mean, I think You were hesitant to say short-line equipment earlier. I'd say a lot more people would say it's the dumb iron of the farm on that side of it. And I say that with love in my heart on that side of it. But technology is the next big play for us.

Yeah, for sure. We've taken technology to heart. I mean, I think You were hesitant to say short-line equipment earlier. I'd say a lot more people would say it's the dumb iron of the farm on that side of it. And I say that with love in my heart on that side of it. But technology is the next big play for us.

I mean, we've seen it from the innovations that we've made in our electric swing hoppers, on our swing augers and our harvest belts, to some of the automation systems that we're now baking into our grain carts with the joystick operation, but then the scale systems that we're doing it.

I mean, we've seen it from the innovations that we've made in our electric swing hoppers, on our swing augers and our harvest belts, to some of the automation systems that we're now baking into our grain carts with the joystick operation, but then the scale systems that we're doing it.

And we've worked very closely with some of our technology partners that supply the hardware and some of the software for that for us. But now we're seeing some of those same companies taking big steps forwards on their own with autonomous grain carts and things like that. So we're in a really good place with a strong internal development team.

And we've worked very closely with some of our technology partners that supply the hardware and some of the software for that for us. But now we're seeing some of those same companies taking big steps forwards on their own with autonomous grain carts and things like that. So we're in a really good place with a strong internal development team.

but really valued partners that are already working in these spaces, and we're really confident that we're going to be in a good position.

but really valued partners that are already working in these spaces, and we're really confident that we're going to be in a good position.

Yeah, no, I think that makes a ton of sense. Yeah, for sure.

Yeah, no, I think that makes a ton of sense. Yeah, for sure.

Well, I mean, thank you for being on the show. It's a really good opportunity for us to come in and talk about the value that Brandt provides to all of our customers. But I've been really excited to be down here. As the Western Canadian guy coming down from head office, I love getting down here to Iowa.

Well, I mean, thank you for being on the show. It's a really good opportunity for us to come in and talk about the value that Brandt provides to all of our customers. But I've been really excited to be down here. As the Western Canadian guy coming down from head office, I love getting down here to Iowa.

And then, you know, when we alternate over into Decatur and stuff in Illinois, it's just always a good time. It reaffirms kind of. The assumptions that I have to make thinking about the U.S. market on that side of it and making sure we have the right product for what you guys need down here as well as back home on that side of it.

And then, you know, when we alternate over into Decatur and stuff in Illinois, it's just always a good time. It reaffirms kind of. The assumptions that I have to make thinking about the U.S. market on that side of it and making sure we have the right product for what you guys need down here as well as back home on that side of it.

Here comes the stereotype. No, no. I'd say America is the foundation that we're here for on that side of it. You keep us propped up on that side of it.

Here comes the stereotype. No, no. I'd say America is the foundation that we're here for on that side of it. You keep us propped up on that side of it.

With all the time we put into developing our single auger grain cart and our dual auger grain cart, it's kind of a linchpin at harvest. Now, Kyle touched on an auger. It's your bottleneck for most operations, but having a dependable grain cart in the field servicing one or multiple combines just keeps the entire operation moving on time and in sync.

Thanks, Tanner.

Good to be with you again.

Yeah, thanks.

We have 16 models of seed tenders.

We've been making them for a lot of years and we believe we have

the best seed tender on the market.

And part of the reason is they're all low profile, which gives us a lower center of gravity, meaning more safety, more convenience for the user.

Kurt, what about you? Yeah. Uh, thanks for having me as well. Um, Kurt Boris, I'm the director of product marketing. So I cover all of our manufacturer products, which includes our ag products, but, uh, extends into our construction and purpose built product lines as well that brand covers. Um, Been with the company about eight years now. Work primarily on the egg side for a couple years now.

I've been overseeing the whole portfolio, run a team of guys that are working with our sales teams, working with our internal marketing teams, making sure we're talking about our products the way that we want to and the way that our customers understand them and selling the value on that side of it. Been around the farm all my life.

Grew up on a small grains farm in Western Canada, so I'm based out of Regina, Saskatchewan, where our head office is. Worked for a number of different egg companies coming up out of school.

dabbled with tech for a little bit, got used to doing some digital products and stuff like that, but it's always been tied into marketing and product development, and that's kind of where I'm sitting these days in Brant, too.

And it all comes back to innovation and solving problems for the farmer.

Yeah, absolutely. So we've been around for 80-plus years as a manufacturing company. We got our start in agriculture, making grain augers and handling products there. But ever since the mid-90s, we got into the dealership side of the business as well as manufacturing. We're the world's largest John Deere construction and forestry dealership.

I mean, when it's planting season, every minute helps.

So all of Canada, 56 stores, covers our construction forestry side of the business. And then we extend into Australia and New Zealand as well with dealerships that we run there on that side. We recently, and a few years ago, got into the agricultural dealership side of things, selling John Deere out of the ag stores as well.

We're also in the Peterbilt truck industry as well with dealerships throughout Canada and New Zealand on that side of it too. So very diverse, just even on the dealership side of it. And then you flip over to my world within manufacturing, lots of ag products that we're here and well known for throughout the US and Canada.

But we also deal with construction attachments for the John Deere machines that we sell through the dealerships and manufacture there. As well as purpose built machines. We do everything from a hydro excavator truck on a Peterbilt chassis to a scrap material handler for scrapyard recycling operations.

And of course, you don't want a box of seed to

So large John Deere based machines that we work very closely with a value partner like John Deere. and use donor source machines to convert into purpose-built construction, scrap handling, pipe layers in the oil and gas industry. We're kind of all over the board with that, but do a lot of business with very unique customers throughout our dealership side of the business.

We're always looking for an opportunity to say, where is something that that original manufacturer doesn't provide a solution for our valued customer and how can we get in and close that loop a little bit with something that's very specific and neat for us.

to roll over on the road or when you're going down a row.

I guess in which industry are we talking?

So we have a lot of satisfied customers with our 16 models and they fall into bulk models, our BT 200, 300, 400.

Yeah, I'd say it's primarily attachments with our close relationship selling deer products back in Canada and overseas. So... Again, really unique position. We make a very purpose-built suite of attachment products that suit the Western Canadian market and, well, I should say the entire Canadian market and some of the unique climates and geographies that we operate in up there.

So that really sets us apart for our customer base in Canada.

I'm digging deeper here. We've got a full range of buckets for a full line of John Deere equipment. So you're talking about dig buckets and clean-out buckets and everything, thumbs and grapples, everything in between for – wheel loaders, excavators, compact construction equipment.

And then our box seed tenders, two box, three box, four box, we even make a six box seed tender.

We have our facility based in Hudson, Illinois, just outside of Bloomington there. It's a dedicated cart facility, so all of our grain carts are coming out of that factory.

Yeah, they're coming back to Canada that way too.

That's a bad day.

Yeah, I think it was a bit of a strategic move on our part. We have been in the U.S. selling products for a long time now, but having a presence here locally... right in the heart of the Midwest, made a lot of sense for us. Distribution is a big advantage for it then too. Yes, all those carts are coming back to Canada where we have really strong brand presence.

But if you're looking to grow and push and really develop the market, having that local presence on the ground for parts distribution, access to product is a huge advantage on our side.

Yeah, for sure.

You'd sneak over there for that. I was going to say, you try to stay or they try to keep you out.

I think we're pretty steady at that point now. We've grown substantially over the last even five years with our dealership expansion. It allowed us to get a lot more sophisticated and progressive with how we're sourcing and supplying components, developing really strong relationships with our suppliers.

Since some of that downturn that we saw throughout the pandemic and whatnot, we have really pushed and solidified our supply chain on that.

Absolutely. We value that. The customer's voice matters. throughout our development process above all else within it. There's no stronger advocate than our own users and customers and I think every company here at the show would say that but we take it very much to heart and there's no better

example the fact that cory's talking about his forward reach auger on his xt grain car yeah somebody that's missing here you're not supposed to call it big stick yeah somebody had a sore neck at one time tanner was on our customer advisory group for the development of that project i reached out to him through social media and developed a little bit of a conversation there and we got him involved and picked his brain quite a bit with a number of other customers throughout the uh

couple of years that we were developing that product there. And, uh, really we, we try to go and seek, uh, users of our product, you know, some guys that have some loyalty and awareness of our product, but we go out and we try and find just as many guys that are using competitive product to understand, uh, kind of what they do really well, where some of the opportunities may lay for us.

And we bring them in multiple times throughout our development of that, uh, product, reviewing concepts, going through actual designs, validating things that maybe we're assuming versus just knowing through data and whatnot. But, uh,

and then getting their feedback all along and having them work directly with our engineering team, working directly with our sales team, with the boots on the ground guys, just to make sure that we're not missing some of those obvious points.

In fact, not 30 minutes ago, we were on the phone as a group with the engineering team about some things that we noticed on a product that we're making tweaks to right now, going, hey, if we just do it like this, we've heard a couple things here at the show. We've talked to a few of the sales guys that have been selling more of these products than anybody else right now.

Here's what they got to say. Let's make the changes on the fly as we go right now kind of thing.

I don't know. Kyle's looking at me on that side.

I think for the most part with domestically manufactured product, there's not really any hiccups that I've been ever aware of on that side of it. I mean, there's a set of standards and rules that you follow, but they're not difficult to follow.

Yeah, that's a big part of it.

Yeah, and one of our, we even share a patent on our one-handle lockdown.

So I know you have footage that shows with one handle, all the boxes can be locked in place.

Something we have that's unique to a Strobel seed tender as well.

A few years ago, we added stops at the back so you can put your box on.

I think it's generally positive, right? We continue to grow and expand very aggressively. We have a private ownership group that has eyes on big goals, right? Uh, worldwide that includes our manufacturing division that includes our dealership division, uh, looking to grow and continue to build the relationships within all the dedicated industries that we operate in.

And, uh, I think it's that motivation from the family owned business aspect that really pushes everybody within the company to kind of achieve those same goals. And, uh, I think it's positive. We we've stuck through and survived quite a few ups and downs in the industry. whether that's on the construction side or definitely here on the ag side for sure.

And we haven't gone away and we haven't shrunk back from the challenge by any means. So we keep pushing forward and generally a really good outlook.

They easily stop.

And then there's a one-piece rubber gasket that is replaceable.

do you have a feel for the whole world and what the economy is of scale there i know it's a loaded question that's a lot to put on my shoulders is just a product guy on that side we're gonna get a crystal ball and we're just gonna make it blurry that's all we're gonna do i'd say definitely canada and even worldwide we're experiencing a lot of the same challenges that we're seeing down here for sure with commodity prices you know we had some really good years recently uh with with crop prices uh back home and around the world and

You know, things aren't always going to stay where they are in the good times on that side of it. But there's still a lot of general optimism. Our crops are looking great back home. We've heard good things from overseas in Australia as well, too. So, I mean, that's going to put the optimism in the farmer's hands a little bit, right? And we work with that.

Those can eventually wear out.

Yeah, for sure. I'll try and say something that doesn't get me in trouble with my higher-ups. That's for sure.

And we have actually created a mold and have a one-piece gasket that forms a real great seal on the bottom of those pro boxes.

Greg would probably be happy over there looking at me. He's excited for me as a few things that are on their highs. And I think the big thing for Brent right now is – Doubling down on our commitment to the quality of standard product that we put out there right now.

We definitely have always got something in the pipeline, whether it's new versions of what's kind of gotten our success levels to where they are right now or looking for the next great idea.

I mean, that's why we have people like myself and a number of other guys that are coming down to the booth right now that are out there walking through the show right now, talking to customers, talking to other manufacturers and dealers alike, just seeing where things are moving. What are those growing needs?

You know, the, the big companies like deer do a great job of fulfilling their core customers needs, but there's always an opportunity that's kind of lies, lies a little bit deeper for companies like brand to take advantage of on that side of it. And, and we work really hard to, uh, to make sure that we're committed to filling those needs. Awesome.

Going into harvest? Yep. Going into harvest. One of our brand grain belts for sure. The hardest grain belt, if you're growing any sensitive crops or anything like Corey was mentioning that you're going to experience any type of dockage or anything like that that affects your world, I'd say get into our grain belts.

I'd say our high-speed disc. Okay. It's a big, huge entry into— And I have a disc already, so why? There you go. I would say we—elevator pitch-wise, we have the most consistent and ground engagement with any high-speed disc on the market.

We put a lot of detail into that in achieving—you know, coming in late to the market to the high-speed disc space, we learned a lot from everybody that's out there. We got to cherry pick a lot of really good things and develop some innovations on our side as well.

Yep.

I mean... I got a lot of good Canadian products I can throw out there that don't really have the established presence down here. Getting into spring, open up the fields. You can't beat a good heavy harrow when you're dealing with cereal crops. But I'll speak a little bit more down here, too. I mean, you can keep on that.

I would say land rollers are a really good one coming into spring post-planting, getting out there, making sure that you're dealing with any ruts or uneven fields, and we offer a really good, again, ground-engaging tool that gives you a good, consistent field finish.

grain cart with all the time we put into developing our single auger grain cart dual auger grain cart it's it's kind of a linchpin at harvest now kyle touched on an auger you know it's it's your bottleneck for most operations but having a dependable grain cart in the field servicing one or multiple combines just keeps the entire operation moving on time and in sync i'm putting you a little on the spot here but do you have a how many how many years to pay that off

Right.

I don't have that number off the top of my head, to be honest with you. I guess it's different for every operation. Yeah, there's a lot of variables there, but we try to keep those things in mind when we're developing it so it can be calculated into a customer's ROI for sure.

Yeah.

And we have some options with additional extensions, but yeah, our, we use poly cut tubing.

Yeah, hardly ever.

Yeah, I get the benefit of not having to sell and having all the pressure on it. The one I like talking about most, I'd say field belts for sure. High-speed discs have a lot to offer, a lot of good unique value. Grand carts as well, all equit, all stay on that side of it. They just are an undervalued piece of the harvest operation for sure.

Well, I mean, it's an indirect application. I've been looking for a good opportunity to squeeze this one into the conversation, and it kind of ties back into something with you, Dave, is even just in transportation and logistics in general, whether it's hay or anything else that you're moving on the product, we have a full line of... equipment hauling trailers now.

We feel that's the best on the seed, just the gentlest to move the seed, you know, through the auger and then out into the planter and into the field.

Everything from a small 8-ton tilt deck or 5-ton car equipment hauler type trailer all the way up into we do low boy heavy hauls as well. Oh, really? Okay, very good. Again, that's part of that diversified portfolio of products that we manufacture.

But getting a heavy-duty, well-built trailer that we design around construction contractors needs, but being able to find a place for that on the farm, whether it's moving the skid loader, whether it's throwing a few bales of hay on it, whatever it may be. Love it. It's just a great gap filling product kind of thing for us.

Yeah, for sure. We've taken technology to heart. I mean, I think You were hesitant to say short-line equipment earlier. I'd say a lot more people would say it's the dumb iron of the farm on that side of it. And I say that with love in my heart on that side of it. But technology is the next big play for us.

I mean, we've seen it from the innovations that we've made in our electric swing hoppers, on our swing augers and our harvest belts, to some of the automation systems that we're now baking into our grain carts with the joystick operation, but then the scale systems that we're doing it.

And we've worked very closely with some of our technology partners that supply the hardware and some of the software for that for us. But now we're seeing some of those same companies taking big steps forwards on their own with autonomous grain carts and things like that. So we're in a really good place with a strong internal development team.

So we've had research over the years and people have opinions in lots of different ways, but we feel the research backs up that,

but really valued partners that are already working in these spaces, and we're really confident that we're going to be in a good position.

Yeah, no, I think that makes a ton of sense. Yeah, for sure.

Well, I mean, thank you for being on the show. It's a really good opportunity for us to come in and talk about the value that Brandt provides to all of our customers. But I've been really excited to be down here. As the Western Canadian guy coming down from head office, I love getting down here to Iowa.

And then, you know, when we alternate over into Decatur and stuff in Illinois, it's just always a good time. It reaffirms kind of. The assumptions that I have to make thinking about the U.S. market on that side of it and making sure we have the right product for what you guys need down here as well as back home on that side of it.

Here comes the stereotype. No, no. I'd say America is the foundation that we're here for on that side of it. You keep us propped up on that side of it.

that the poly cup tubing is the preferred means of getting that seed to where it needs to be.

Yeah, thanks for mentioning that, Tanner.

We started in 1946, just a couple hundred feet from where I'm sitting right now.

It was a blacksmith shop.

right on Highway 30 in Clarks, Nebraska.

And Leonard Strobel was the blacksmith in town.

And he had a passion for serving people and for solving problems.

And, you know, candidly, he came up with a lot of inventions from cutting cedar trees out in the field to, you know, improving the old kilifer.

I mean, the box scraper is one of our best machines today.

So we have

A full line of what we call yellow equipment for the farm, the construction site, the ranch and the feedlot.

Yeah, we have a saying around here.

We call it Strobel strong.

And some people might say we're overbuilt, but we use a lot of steel and it hurt when steel went screaming up in Bryce here a couple of years ago, but that's, that's leveled off a little bit and, uh, nothing like a real robust machine that, you know, it's just going to hold up.

We just don't have, uh, people.

I mean, it's rare to have any sort of breakage.

Uh, if so, we, we can help you take care of that.

But, uh,

It's the kind of machines from our earth movers, the force ejection scrapers, the DS 50s, a new five yard this year.

And we've got the big 1600, the 1611, 16-yard force ejection scraper that's just a beast when you look at the steel that's involved with that.

Right.

Yeah.

We like to say we've got the machine for any and every operation.

So from a small hobby farm to, and just an acreage to really a big dirt moving operation, we've got, you know, the machines that can help out.

And of course we're our hardest with the farm, but we certainly want to serve the contractor, dirt mover, that construction company as well.

Yeah, thank you.

We developed, I think this is a first in our history.

We're calling it the seed handling rebate program.

So there's really kind of two elements.

There are machines across the country and we sell Strobel seed tenders through our dealers and our network of dealers have inventory on their lots at times.

A lot of these are 2024 and they're on occasion are

even 22 or 23 brand new seed tenders.

And we really like to, to get them in the hands of farmers as soon as possible.

So through the end of the year, we're running a rebate program where the dealers, you know, we'll offer their best price to you, but then the customer will get a 500, $750 or $1,000 rebate direct from Strobel Manufacturing.

on their seed tender, depending on what model they choose.

Right.

Now, some of the local dealers won't have inventory.

So I'd recommend, you know, your listeners just call us directly and we'll help make that connection to the dealer that has the right piece of equipment for you.

And that number is 308-548-2254.

You can always go to strobelmfg.com, strobelmfg.com.

And yeah, call us and we'll try to make it a simple and smooth operation to get what you need to your farm.

Yeah, thanks.

Our history has been with these what we call yellow machines, starting with the box scraper.

And we still make and sell a lot of those.

But we've added a wide array of lineup over the years.

In the last 10, 12 years, we've sold super shades.

And this year, we've added the 30 by 30.

So we've got three different sizes of cattle shades, 20 by 20, 30 by 30, and 40 by 40.

But this time of the year,

The sun is not quite as intense, although there are places.

So we switch our attention a little bit over to the farmers.

And we want to get that seed in the ground and have this seed handling rebate program in place and really take care of our ag people that way.

Thank you.

Yes, it's 308-548-2254.

And the website then, you can just throw in Strobel Manufacturing in your browser or strobelmfg.com.

Thank you, Tanner.