Hartington Equipment Celebrates Kubota Grand Opening!

Kelly McRobert | May 08, 2024

As the week progressed towards Friday, Hartington Equipment -Kubota's eagerly awaited Grand Opening was being organized. A gradual sense of expectation was taking shape for the commuters on Road 38, moving from the North to the South and vice versa. We had all been watching as the move was planned, the land excavated, and a beautiful building built. Tractors, trailers, and more started to fill the lot. Each one is a giant shiny orange beacon for the Kubota brand ‘For Earth, For Life’.

The date was set, and May 3rd would be the official opening of the new building. Signs were posted, advertising complete, and the parking lot began to come alive just before the 11 a.m. festivities were to begin. Krock 105.7, and 93.5 Country were on site to welcome visitors and offer them some fun free SWAG if you dropped in to say hello. I managed to meet up with Brock from the Brock & Dalby Show, and we had a lovely chat. He almost converted me back to my old Rock & Roll ways….almost….from there, the kids could play and snack on small tables, and even get their faces pictured in a fun Farm Tractor cut out or grab a balloon.

Every guest was entered into the big draw, and then given 3 door prize tickets that you could use inside towards a prize pack of your choice. The tick, tick, tick of the spinning prize wheel drew crowds as the parking lot filled and then spilled over into the street. Some of the fun entry prizes were cooler lunch bags, trucker hats, and branded t-shirts. Everyone walked away with something. Once inside, you could meet some of the great staff like Shawn Gardiner, whose ‘no nonsense’ approach helps to sell the Kubota tractors, mowers, utility vehicles, mini excavators (my dream toy!), loaders of all shapes and sizes, backhoes, and more.

Throughout the yard, you could see the vast selection of equipment that would make any neighbour envious. The track carrier was of interest to many, as our aging population is trying to make light work of mulching, gardening, lifting, moving, and carrying – ‘working smarter, not harder’. The inside of the new office is bright and modern. The sitting area is comfortable and inviting as you await the servicing of your equipment. A tempting coffee area and well-laid-out displays showcase everything the brand has to offer.

Staff offices are along the main wall, glass is the only divider offering sunlight to each workplace, as they help navigate the contracts to purchase a new tractor or mower for any project, large or small. You could take a peek through the back shops where mechanic stations are well-equipped, clean, bright, and organized. The mechanics and service staff could be seen sharing an icy cold drink with guests, that you could grab from the front bucket of a tractor, in the main bay.

If none of this drew you in, the smell of the hot dogs and hamburgers grilling on the BBQ was sure to lure you toward the back half of the lot. Picnic tables and a large spread of meat, condiments, chips, and friendly sales reps greeted guests. Mikita was also on-site to demonstrate their newest tools which were lightweight and strong. Weed eaters, backpack blowers, and hand saws were just a few of the fun tools you could discuss with their rep who had come down from Ottawa. I have my eye on the new 36V Material Mover that would help me out in the yard, lifting, carrying, moving, and having people drive me around! What a fun machine!

By the end of the 4 hours, hundreds of guests had passed through the doors, won a prize, looked into a new purchase (some of us are already Kubota fans), and had a chance to explore, meet, greet, and eat. What a great event to get to know our ‘not so new’ neighbours who have added a great-looking establishment to Hartington, and put it on the map the ‘Kubota Way’.