Well it’s been awhile since I’ve written a blog! A lot of things have been happening here at Worthington Ag Parts. Did you know Worthington Ag Parts and its subsidiaries sell more after-market new parts than used salvage parts? Yes that’s right! We are always looking to expand our after-market new product line and reduce costs along the way to our valued customers.
Recently I traveled to Argentina with Jason Atkins (General Manager – Neil’s Parts), Jamie Neldon (Director of Business Development) and Larry Frodermann (Director of New Product) to visit several manufacturers of after-market new parts for combines and tractors. While it’s a long way away from the United States, you will see many similarities in agriculture between our two countries! This trip was very busy to say the least. We did nearly 1,800 miles in a week driving from manufacturer to manufacturer.
As we toured the countryside the soybean harvest was in full swing. Trucks were rolling full of grain to the elevators and combines were marching through the fields. The one difference I did see was an actual palm tree in a fence line of a soybean field – now that’s unique!
The first day of travel had a few setbacks and the local people were more than happy to accommodate us, from Pablo (Michael J Fox's look alike brother), Cao our interpreter and parts sourcing company in Argentina (Tach Consulting) to our driver, Adria'n (Al Pachino look alike) Machado. Pablo dropped everything for a whole week to translate for us when our original translator pulled out with family commitments.
We started the first day with our good friends at Tecnologi'a Parez. As always they were more than willing to drop everything and show us the plant and talk business. On top of this we got treated to an Argentinean BBQ with local cuisine, wine and the odd local beer of course! A warm thanks to Juan Carlos (President) and his family. Whose hospitality was warming to us, especially when you are so far away from home. They are real people with real family values. We are the exclusive supplier in the United States for Perez’s products. Their product quality is second to none. Like everyone we met over there, they are ready to increase our range and move forward with Worthington Ag Parts and Neil's Parts of Australia.
The next day the van was headed north to Rossmet. The day started two hours late due to political demonstrations but our driver made our trip light hearted with his mix of 80's music and his willingness for us to join him singing in English ... it made the 4 hours pass very quickly and it was a laugh to say the least. I am pretty sure he could tell I quit choir at an early age!
When we arrived at Rossmet, the family greeted us with open arms. It was amazing the work Luciana and Santiago Rossi (sister and brother) had put in to be able to speak some English with us. This made things a lot easier. I know I am going to have to start studying Spanish for the future. The children had great passion for their Father (Santiago Senior - President) and the business he has built from scratch. The products they manufacture are quality products with the consumer in mind.
Rossmet did their homework on us as well and were more than willing to have us represent their parts in the United States and Australia. We are proud to be their exclusive distributor and we are committed to strengthening the relationship over time! We had a wonderful dinner with their family and friends and it was sad to leave their hospitality.
The next day we made our way to Fagtor. We have dealt with this company for a long time and are the exclusive distributor of their products in the United States and Australia.
This is another very impressive manufacturing plant with an emphasis on quality. These businesses don't mass produce inferior products, they make parts that last and it shows with the commitment of the local OE manufacturers to deal with them.
Hern'an Pedro Torres and his father Manuel (President) gave us a tour of the plant and then had a local TV station do an interview with me. All of which was translated by Pablo Cao. It was difficult but I hope it turned out okay for production. Larry and Hern'an have a great relationship and I am sure both Worthington Ag Parts and Neil's Parts will benefit greatly from this. The meeting was concluded once again with another Family BBQ where nothing was spared to make us comfortable.
Jason and the team continued on to two more manufactures while Larry, Jamie and I made our way home. The personal thing I take away from this trip is each business we visited was built with family traditions. Those of you that know me or read my blogs know I always preach family first – your family then your Worthington Ag Parts family. These businesses all value family and with their extensive range of products they are a perfect fit with Worthington Ag Parts.
I would like to personally thank everyone that helped make this trip so beneficial and comfortable. I look forward to long lasting business relationships and friendships. I feel like we are all part of the same family now.
Cheers,
Mike Winter
