October is National Manufacturing Month, and the Assn. of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) is making sure it’s a memorable one this year. To that end, the AEM Manufacturing Express continued its cross-country trek this week, as it continues to celebrate the 2.3 million men and women who help build, feed, and power the world.

On behalf of Farm Equipment and Rural Lifestyle Dealer, I was glad for the opportunity to be on hand for the October 8 stop at Woods Equipment in Oregon, Ill. While on the road, I headed past picturesque Oregon Trail Road to gather observations on the current harvest season and market outlook at a Birkey’s dealership in Polo, Il.

The largest public engagement initiative in the 130-year history of AEM, the “Manufacturing Express” tour, which started in July, covers 22 states, across 10,000 miles with over 80 stops throughout the country. The Milwaukee, Wis.-based organization is hosting the tour to highlight the innovative technologies, processes, people and products revolutionizing the industry across America.

The AEM leadership team expressed enthusiasm and encouragement to the Woods Equipment team. AEM Sr. Vice President, Sara Mooney, joined by AEM President, Megan Tanel and other key staff members, addressed the large group from across many departments who welcomed them and joined in the ceremony.

“This is more than just a bus tour. Behind every piece of equipment there is a story, and we are excited to tell the stories of the 2.3 million men and women of our industry and highlight their grit, determination, and can-do spirit,” said Mooney. She added, “The AEM Manufacturing Express also gives us the opportunity to remind our elected officials of the importance of our industry and the need to advance pro-manufacturing policies that will move our industry forward. But we cannot do this alone. We need your help. Because when we speak with one, unified voice for the future of our industry, then we have the power to make real change.” She urged those on hand to get involved and learn about the industry in which they work to continually advance the value equipment manufactures deliver.

Woods Equipment Highlights Innovation

It’s little wonder why the AEM selected Woods Equipment’s Oregon, Ill., headquarters as one of its stops. AEM President Megan Tanel heralded the company’s leadership and all staff for its dedication to continuous improvement and industry-changing innovation. Founded by the Woods brothers in 1946, Woods Equipment prides itself on having built a legacy of innovation and excellence. The attachments and parts manufactured in Oregon are delivered around the world, with customers ranging from airports and municipalities to farmers and rural lifestylers.

“AEM is critical to our industry in that it's a unified alliance of manufacturers with one centralized management team,” said Vice President/Sales & Marketing, Derek Paulsen. “It allows us to stay connected to the industry, it gives us insights on the market, and helps us as we progress, not only with the Woods brand, but as the industry moves forward. Because one thing that has remained consistent all throughout history and will continue to is the agricultural industry. It's critical. It's a basic need. So, we're honored that AEM took time out of their schedule, we were one of their stops, and spent a day here in Oregon, Ill., to see what we do on a daily basis, and what we've been doing for the last 78 years, and what we plan on doing for at least another 78.”

In speaking to a number of staff during the AEM Manufacturing Express visit at Woods, it was clear that the company’s focus on the end user has forged their path to success — from its rotary cutter in 1946 to the iconic Batwing introduced in 1963, which the company notes is credited for creating a whole new category of rotary cutters.

From my discussion, or listen and learn session, as it were, with Paulsen and Rob Dewey, business segment director, the repeating theme was that of value. By tuning into the needs communicated to them by a wide range of customers using a wide range of methods, they shared the importance of ensuring that the products meet the demand for superior cutting. 

Paulsen recounted the history of the company, noting that three brothers who started the company, Keith, Leonard and Mervel Wood, invented the first-of-its-kind tractor-mounted rotary cutter. He added, “So Woods invented the industry right here on the banks of the Rock River in Oregon, Illinois, and we're really proud that we're 78 years running strong, still in the same location for our main facility.” 

Dewey spoke to the range of equipment options the company makes available to rural lifestylers, including backhoes, finish mowers and landscape attachments, and other products which the rural lifestyle farmer can use with a 40-horsepower tractor and other compact tractors. Other customers who rely on Woods include airports, municipalities and others with wide mowing areas.

Woods Equipment maintains a large parts distribution center in Rockford, Ill., and has a distribution center that is shared with another division within Oregon Tool out of Kansas City, Mo., as well as operations in Brazil and France.

Observations from the Oregon Trail Road: Case-IH Dealer Q&A

While nearby, I also stopped into a nearby Birkey’s Farm Store in Polo, which took me past a scenic Oregon Trail Road. What’s not to love about a rural roadtrip in October? Shop manager Denny Merdian was good enough to have me in for a short Q&A discussion on a range of topics, from the current crops to tech training. Birkey’s, now in its 70th year, owns and operates a network of full-service Case IH agricultural and Case construction equipment stores throughout Illinois, Indiana, and opened its latest location in Hannibal, Mo., last year.

The Polo location in northern Illinois, which Birkey’s purchased in 2005, has 35 employees and serves more than 1,000 customers, stretching approximately 100 miles to the north and 75 miles across the region.

Merdian noted this year’s crops have been very good and the bushels are there. In addition to his shop, each of the other Birkey’s locations — Bloomington, Ill., Williamsburg, Ind., and Hannibal, Miss., which opened last year — rains were timely and steady this year, helping all the stores to be seeing pretty good crops. Now, it’s a matter of hoping commodity prices will move back up which he feels will help get people’s moods changing.

As their shop maintains a strong service business, Merdian and I discussed the ongoing challenge that is a shortage of trained technicians. While his location is fully staffed, there were months where applicants for open mechanics roles were hard to come by. He’s now got a big team and says they’re in good shape. Keeping the techs trained on always changing equipment also involves an in-house trainer Birkey’s brought on who visits the dealerships to coordinate training, as well as having them go to the Case-IH training facilities in Wisconsin and Iowa. Outreach to high schools, community colleges and tech schools also help generate interest for early career techs.

From celebrating equipment manufacturing in grand fashion to sitting down to learn the latest from a long-time dealer, it was another (my second) week well spent hitting the road for news, innovation and challenges facing dealers and their customers.