Minnesota Heavy Equipment Store Expansion Increase Service and Support for Customers

RDO Equipment Co. team members celebrated Fergus Falls John Deere ag and Vermeer equipment store’s renovation and expansion. The project, which broke ground more than a year ago, included nearly doubling the square footage of the service shop and modernization of the parts warehouse. They were joined by customers, elected officials and the Fergus Falls Chamber of Commerce this month to mark RDO’s long-term commitment to serving area customers.

"An area of focus for our expansion was the service side of the business," said Daryl Shelton, RDO’s executive vice president of agriculture. "In addition to improving the space, we were also able to add three service technicians and an additional service manager to help get machines into and out of the shop and back into the field as quickly and effectively as possible."

Over a year ago, RDO broke ground on the shop expansion and facility renovation, partnering with Hammers Construction, a Perham-based contractor, to handle most of the project. Overall, the renovation addressed more than 30,000 square feet of refreshed and new floor space with features that increase team members' ability to meet customers’ needs.

• The new 10-bay service shop features nearly 12,000 square feet of open, modern repair space outfitted with five-ton overhead cranes accessible to each repair bay, offering a safe way for technicians to move the heaviest machine components during repairs.
• The shop remodel optimized the air cooling and distribution system, improving comfort within the facility.
• The addition of a Vertical Lift Module (VLM) in the parts warehouse increases storage capacity and allows team members to access parts efficiently and fulfill customer orders quickly.

With the additional tools and service bays, more team members can complete essential inspections before harvest so machines can be up and running at the right time, as well as perform work year-round to support customers through each stage of the growing season. The new space can now accommodate some of the largest machines like John Deere's 9RX 640, along with smaller machines; the store now features a dedicated space for lawn and land equipment where three specialized lawn and garden technicians serve homeowners and landowners.

“With many long-tenured team members, we’ve learned the area and the unique challenges farmers face in this part of the state,” said Fergus Falls store manager Kasey Lindstrom. “Our team works hard to expand our knowledge of today’s equipment and technology, not to mention our customers’ ever-changing operations. In this way, we’re committed to being true partners to the farmers growing the food, fiber and fuel our communities require.”

The store's remodel refreshed its interior with artwork highlighting team members' decades of service and partnership philosophy. The imagery throughout the store demonstrates team members' commitment to safety and world-class service. The store now has additional office space, a sales bullpen, a view to the entire service shop area, a break and training room, a secure IT and network room, and a male and female locker space. 

RDO acquired the John Deere ag equipment and shop in 2009. Even prior to then, Fergus Falls team members have spent decades partnering with farmers to keep their equipment up and running. For example, Loran Rogness, who today serves as used equipment supervisor for RDO, has roots in the Fergus Falls area and history with the store location stretching back more than 50 years, long before RDO acquired the business. Today, more than 40 team members work together to be the one-stop shop for equipment, maintenance and technology.

“We’re thrilled to be able to celebrate this milestone with area farmers and partners,” Lindstrom said. “Today, we are excited to open the doors to this modern space that will allow us to serve our customers better with our team members working in a highly efficient, modern shop and parts warehouse.”