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The Early Years
The Visionary Leaders Who Made it Happen
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This issue of Implement Success would not be complete if we did not also talk about some of the people who played key roles in getting AMC off the ground, spreading awareness and driving membership in those early years. Prominent names in our early history documents include Bart Drope, industrial development officer with the Saskatchewan Department of Industry and Commerce. Drope was in a unique position since he called on many of the farm machinery manufacturers and observed they had little or no contact with each other. Drope noted a thirst for knowledge about all aspects of producing and marketing machinery. He saw companies struggling independently with problems other firms had already experienced and overcome. Outside of prototype development, he also realized there was little reason for the companies not to talk to each other. Another factor that contributed to the formation of an association was identified by Roy Swanson, President of Apollo Machine in Saskatoon. He noted that the Saskatchewan Welders and Blacksmith Association, after serving small manufacturers for many years, had disappeared in the 1950s. He realized that this left a void that needed to be filled. Gradually, Drope’s discussions with individual companies began to include suggestions that they organize an association to share information and provide a united voice for the industry. The idea gained momentum and a number of companies became enthusiastic supporters. A select few companies that were represented at the very first meeting held in Regina on December 5, 1969, to discuss forming an association, remain active members today. A total of 17 people from 14 manufacturing companies were in attendance, as well as six government representatives, among them Bart Drope. At the top of the list of companies who saw the potential for this organization was Wilf Degelman of Degelman Industries Ltd. In fact, at that very first meeting, he brought with him two other employees: Ross Giles and Carl Brenner. Degelman Industries was the only manufacturer to send three representatives to this meeting, which stands out in the historical records. Clearly Wilf Degelman was a visionary, as all three Degelman representatives made important contributions to the formation of the association.
First Meeting
The manufacturers who attended the first meeting December 5, 1969, to discuss forming an association: Wilf Degelman, Degelman Industries Ltd. Ross Giles, Degelman Industries Ltd. Carl Brenner, Degelman Industries Ltd. Marshall Brown, Brown Industries Ltd. Dil Jones, Brandt Machine & Mfg. Ltd. George Morris, Morris Rod-Weeder Co. Ltd. Frank Rempel, Rem Mfg. Ltd. I Unger, Rem Mfg. Ltd. Francis Doepker, Doepker Industries Ltd. Peter Sakundiak, Sakundiak Farm Equipment Ltd. Floyd Rousell, Fibro Industries Mfrs. Ltd. Joe Moser, Crown Implement Mfrs. Ltd. Peter Bergen, Bergen Mfg.
Roy Swanson, Swanson Industries Ltd. Lloyd Deaver, Deaver Stone Pickers Ron Macrostie, Romac Distributors Ltd. Larry Faye, Roll-O-Flex Ltd. Many present felt there was a need for an organization and it was decided to invite special guest speakers from the Canadian Manufacturers Association, the Saskatchewan Research Council and the Canadian Petroleum Association to discuss the services an association might be able to provide. That second meeting was held in Regina on January 9, 1970. At that meeting the following motion was passed: “That we form an association of Saskatchewan Farm Manufacturers.” It was moved by Floyd Rousell and seconded by Roy Swanson. A steering committee was formed to draft a constitution and suggest a slate of directors. The members of that steering committee were Floyd Roussel, Ross Giles,
Roy Swanson, Alan Scharf (Saskatchewan Research Council) and Bart Drope.
They agreed to hold a general meeting of manufacturers in Regina to discuss and approve the constitution and by-laws and to elect the first executive. The meeting took place on February 20, 1970. During that meeting it was decided that the new association should cover all three prairie provinces and the name was broadened to the Prairie Implement Manufacturers Association or PIMA.
— Wilf Degelman,
PIMA Founding Member
February 20th PIMA Meeting
At the February 20th meeting, the following slate of directors was presented by Ross Giles and elected by acclamation: George Morris, President Wilf Degelman, President Elect Floyd Rousell, Secretary Treasurer Francis Doepker, Membership Director Marshall Brown, Program Director Ross Giles also presented the proposed constitution and by-laws. After discussion and amendments, they were approved in principal subject to final endorsement by legal counsel: Moved by Alan Scharf, seconded by Carl Brenner “that on this 20th day of February 1970, the Prairie Implement Manufacturers Association formally come into being.” Historical documents note that it was “no accident Mr. Morris was proposed as the
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Congratulations to AMC on achieving 50 years of success fostering and promoting the growth and development of the Canadian agricultural equipment manufacturing industry. Wishing you many more years of continued accomplishments!
Historical photo taken at Old Dutch Industries
first President of the Association.” “He was by far the senior member of the group, having been in the manufacturing business for more than 40 years. The Morris Rod-Weeder Company was also the largest farm machinery manufacturing plant in Saskatchewan and Mr. Morris was one of the most respected persons in the industry. Therefore his election as the first President of PIMA gave the association instant credibility.” One of the first items of business was to draft objectives for the association: • To foster and promote the growth and well-being of member companies and the farm machinery industry • To provide an organization that can identify industry problems and opportunities and take suitable action • To establish and maintain a liaison with government and other industries and the public • To assist member companies in the area of production, marketing and personnel • To provide a forum for members to discuss and consider all aspects of their own industry and its relationship to the national and international economy Fifty years later, it is clear they got it right since these objectives remain valid today and continue to drive the success of our association. In the fall of 1970, the association’s Certificate of Incorporation was received, dated November 3rd, along with a registered copy of the by-laws. This made the association a legal entity under the Societies Act of Saskatchewan.
The First Annual Meeting
The first seminar and annual meeting was held at Fort Qu’Appelle in an old army barracks at Valley Centre on February 24, 25 and 26, 1971. The theme selected was “Growth and Survival in the 70s.” The board invited more than 90 manufacturers from across the prairies, hoping to have attendees from all three provinces. The cost of registration for the meeting was $20 per person and included meals and two nights of accommodation! A total of 39 people attended the convention and all three prairie provinces were represented. The meeting was deemed “a great success.” The tradition of a meet and greet the first evening began at that inaugural meeting, with Interprovincial Steel and Pipe Corporation of Regina sponsoring a hospitality event for attendees to get to know each other. The new Board of Directors elected there was President Wilf Degelman, Regina; President Elect Clem Roles, Saskatoon; Secretary-Treasurer Ray Malinowski, Yorkton; Membership Director Sam McKee, Minnedosa and Programs Director Eugene Demkiw, Vegreville. Records note that “with the election of Eugene Demkiw from Alberta and Sam McKee from Manitoba, all three prairie provinces were represented on the Board of Directors for the first time.”
The Second Annual Meeting
The second annual meeting was held in June at the Sheraton Cavalier Hotel in Saskatoon, a location still used to host conventions today. Forty-six delegates attended representing 23 companies. President Wilf Degelman reported on a business-seeking trip to Cuba, Floyd Rousell on a trade mission to Europe and Clem Roles on the Farm Exposition in Paris. The delegates enjoyed lunch at the university and toured the facility. The third annual convention was held February 14, 15 and 16, 1972, in Yorkton with 83 delegates from 18 manufacturers and a number of federal, provincial and university representatives in attendance. Historical documents state, “With the involvement of members in all three prairie provinces, it can be said that PIMA was finally coming of age and beginning to live up to the expectations of its founders.” It is clear that the early leaders mentioned by name here were visionary and “the best minds of our industry” at that time. Today, our members continue to be the visionary leaders and best minds in our industry.
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