Implement Success 20.1

FEATURES

Careers in Ag Public Launch

Cultivating the Ag Manufacturing Workforce page 8

THRIVE!

Banff Plays Host to 2022 AMC Convention page 10

Women in Ag Careers – Gina Dosch and Chrisa Kastning

Room to Grow for Women in Ag page 16

Elmer’s Manufacturing

From Farm Roots to Major Manufacturer page 18

Atom-Jet Industries

Constantly Pushing the Envelope for 60 years of Success page 20

Väderstad Industries

A People-Powered Business page 22

Farm Credit Canada

Rooted in Resilience: Your Mental Health Matters page 25

INSPIRE!

AMC Expo 2023: INSPIRE Rewind page 26

Capturing Ag Industry Passions

AMC Cultivate Podcast page 32

AMC Events

AMC Golf Tournaments, AMC Convention and Trade Show page 33

IN THIS ISSUE

Chair’s Message

Page 5

Thank You to Our Corporate Partners

Page 6

Board of Directors

Page 6

President’s Message

Page 7

AMC Re!magination Spotlight

Page 34

AMC New Member Spotlight

Page 36

Index to Advertisers

Page 42

Strategic Priorities

AMC is proud to be the only Canadian association dedicated exclusively to ensuring agricultural equipment manufacturers and their suppliers succeed in domestic and world markets by focusing on three strategic pillars:

AMC Cultivates

Drive Opportunities for Growth

It is our job to continually attract new experts to our brain trust to ensure our association, our members and our industry continue to develop, remain highly competitive and thrive.

AMC Advocates

One United Voice for Our Industry

AMC is an advocacy champion for our members. With decades of industry leadership, Federal and Provincial government representatives listen when AMC speaks. Our advocacy work propels policy change that fuels progress and expansion, making our industry stronger.

AMC Collaborates

A national organization with global impact, the Agricultural Manufacturers of Canada represents agricultural equipment manufacturers in Canada and the many companies that supply them. We actively identify and drive opportunities to support industry growth. AMC is the only Canadian association that is 100% dedicated to agricultural equipment manufacturing.

@AMCshortlinecda linkedin.com/company/amc_3

National Catalyst for Thought Leadership

AMC is constantly creating new and innovative ways to serve our membership. We provide frequent opportunities for input and exchange where our industry experts can spark and incubate ideas. Through events and our communications, we bring members together for networking, information sharing and collaboration that encourages knowledge to flow and business to grow.

Look for these icons to see how our Strategic Priorities are reinforced in our content!

Behind Canadian agriculture?

We’re behind you.

We’re FCC, the only lender 100% invested in Canadian agriculture and food, serving diverse people, projects and passions with financing and knowledge.

Let’s talk about what’s next for your business.

FCC.CA/AGBIZ

DREAM. GROW. THRIVE.

Reflections from AMC’s Board Chair

Spring is the time of year when we as agricultural manufacturers start to see the products we make out in fields across Canada! It is a busy season for our customers and it is also packed with activity for AMC as we continue to cultivate, advocate and collaborate on behalf of our industry.

Cor Lodder Chair | Board of Directors Agricultural Manufacturers of Canada

With a successful AMC Expo 2023: INSPIRE now behind us, I am personally looking forward to seeing many of you at our golf tournaments. Please join us to network, enjoy some fresh air and good food. We have events planned in Manitoba in late June, Saskatchewan in July and Ontario in September. I am also already anticipating our Annual Convention and Tradeshow November 22 and 23 in Regina. Our team is busy planning all the details, so save the date and look for more information soon in AMC Connection and on our website.

The public launch of our Careers in Ag initiative is also on my list of events to attend this summer, taking place in Regina at Canada’s Farm Show on June 22nd. As a manufacturer, I know first-hand that career opportunities abound in our industry. AMC is excited to see this initiative growing and raising awareness of the many possibilities for successful and rewarding careers in our industry. From production floor positions to quality assurance, management, and logistics roles through to sales and marketing, the agricultural manufacturing sector presents a diverse range of career pathways. Our industry also values professional growth, with many individuals advancing from entry-level positions to higher responsibilities within their companies.

Our members are successful and our industry is growing, therefore it comes as no surprise to me that our membership is also continuing to grow! It is exciting to see AMC building our brain trust and continuing to attract the best minds in our industry to join us. A special thank you to our membership committee for their efforts to spread the word about AMC as well. The ongoing increase in our ranks continues to build our reputation and our influence as an industry.

I want to personally welcome the 20 most recent new members since our last issue of Implement Success. It is an impressive list: Agrimatics, Canimex, the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA), Comer industries (formerly Walterscheid), Datomor Labs Inc., Decision Works, Dodge Industrial Inc., Edge Agro, Free Form Plastic Products, Indigenous Manufacturing and Contracting (IMCN), MC Machinery Systems Inc., MNP, mode 40, neuroStrategy, Sherwin-Williams, the Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP), Toshont Power Products, Verevco, Vogelsang Fastener Solutions and Westbrand. I look forward to seeing you at AMC events!

Donna Boyd President

204-666-3518 donnaboyd@a-m-c.ca

Thank you to our Corporate Partners

With a growing number of members, AMC collaborates with corporate partners to provide ongoing support, services and programs that help members’ businesses grow.

Lori Derksen Director of Member Development

204-666-3518 lori@a-m-c.ca

shopsupreme.ca

Agricultural Manufacturers of Canada | Board of Directors

Cherrille Price Member Services & Administration Co-ordinator

204-666-3518 cherrille@a-m-c.ca

Chair | Cor Lodder Walinga Inc.

Director

PO Box 1790, 70 - 3rd Ave NE

Carman, MB R0G 0J0

204-745-2951

Executive Directors

Vice Chair | Bob Cochran

Highline Manufacturing

General Manager

PO Box 307, Hwy 27 Vonda, SK S0K 4N0 306-258-2233

Treasurer | Linda Turta RAM Industries

Chief Executive Officer PO Box 5007, 33 York Rd E. Yorkton, SK S3N 3Z4 306-786-2678

Director | Kristal Allen

Dentons Canada LLP

Partner

15th Floor, Bankers Court, 850 - 2nd Street SW

Calgary, AB T2P OR8

403-268-3065

Director | Randy Bauman

Bauman Manufacturing/ Eldale Machine & Tool President

3 Industrial Drive Elmira, ON N3B 2S1

519-669-5195

Director | Glenn Buurma

Penta Equipment President

73 Main Street Glencoe, ON N0L 1M0 519-882-3350

Director | Torey Hadland

CLAAS of America

Region Director

313A-415 Hunter Road Saskatoon, SK S7T 0J7 306-717-3225

Director | Mark Hildebrand

Monarch Industries Ltd.

Vice President, Sales

PO Box 429, 51 Burmac Rd.

Winnipeg, MB R3C 3E4

204-786-7921

Director | Paul Horst

TubeLine Mfg/Horst Welding

General Manager

6455 Reidwoods Drive

Elmira, ON N3B 2Z3

519-669-9488

Director | Kiera Young MacDon Industries Ltd.

Senior Vice President, Customers, Products & Services

680 Moray St.

Winnipeg, MB R3J 3S3

204-885-5590

AMC Staff

Message from AMC’s President

Agricultural manufacturing feeds the future

Donna Boyd | President Agricultural Manufacturers of Canada

We are all part of an industry that is one of the most successful in Canada; one which protects the environment, ensures global food security, and fuels the future of food through innovation. Underscoring our achievements are the recent release of Canadian Agricultural Implement Export numbers from Statistics Canada. To say that our industry has seen exponential growth is an understatement as evidenced by our year over year growth with exports to 153 countries representing $2.8B in 2021 to an all time high in 2022 of 159 countries and an incredible $3.7B. These numbers feed innovation which in turn feeds our future success as an industry that is so intrinsic to the economic development and growth of our entire country.

Not only are these statistics inspiring, we are also enthusiastic about our recent event with a similar name - AMC Expo 2023: INSPIRE. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who joined us for two days packed with insightful speaker sessions, innovative exhibitors, and an exclusive tour. The event was an incredible opportunity for our members to connect with industry professionals and gain interesting insight from our varied presentations. We are grateful for the support of our amazing attendees, exhibitors and sponsors who made the event a success.

In this edition of Implement Success, we celebrate our industry’s achievements and also the connections and opportunities that fuel our continued growth.

Our AMC Careers in Ag initiative continues to gain momentum and we are pleased to confirm the official launch will be held at Canada’s Farm Show in Regina on June 22nd. We are excited to partner with the Regina Exhibition Association (REAL) for this launch. Thank you to Kirk Westgard and REAL for promoting this part of the event, reaching out to Universities, Technical Colleges, and high schools with specialized trades programs to encourage students to attend. REAL will provide all student invitees with complimentary admission to the show at the Launch your Career in Ag Event. We invite all AMC members to join us and take part, along with other exhibitors at the show. For more information on what is planned, read the article in this issue. Also check out the latest Careers in Agriculture profiles in this issue and use the QR codes provided to see these inspiring individuals tell their own stories on video.

We’re delighted to announce that we have partnered with Discovery Farm to host two Innovation in Agriculture Receptions located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on July 17th and Woodstock, Ontario on September 11th in conjunction with AMC’s Golf Tournaments being held on the same dates. Watch AMC Connection, website or call the office for ticket purchasing details.

We are thrilled to bring our members together again for our Golf Tournaments, offering an opportunity for networking, socializing, and of course, some fun. Join us in Manitoba at the Kingswood Golf and Country Club on June 26th, at the Holiday Park Golf Course in Saskatchewan on July 17th or at Craigowan Golf Club in Ontario on September 11th. Find out how you can sponsor these events or register to join us by visiting the website or contact any of our AMC team members.

Cultivating the Ag Manufacturing Workforce

By Karen Sample & Janet Morley

Canada’s Farm Show Regina SK

presented by Viterra, and AMC collaborate to ease labour shortage

Kirk Westgard, Vice President of Agriculture at the Regina Exhibition Association (REAL), has had a busy first year at the helm. During the past 12 months, one of his countless interactions was meeting and talking at some length with AMC President Donna Boyd at last year’s show. Recognizing an opportunity, Westgard later invited her to sit on the Exhibition’s Advisory Committee, which eventually led to REAL partnering with AMC to officially release “Launch your Career in Ag” at Canada’s Farm Show (CFS) Regina SK presented by Viterra on June 22nd.

Originally founded in 1884 as the Assiniboia Agricultural Association, the name changed to the Regina Agricultural and Industrial Exhibition Association Limited before becoming REAL. Over 100 years after its inception,

REAL has grown to host a wide variety of events at its venues, but its roots are still firmly planted in agriculture and the industries that surround and support it. CFS is an event that remains focused on the original foundation of agriculture. Constantly moving forward with the ever-evolving industry, REAL works hard to ensure they are bringing exhibitors and attendees what they need now and what they need to know for continued growth into the future. It’s a big job, but Westgard and his team take it all in stride.

When asked what he believed this addition brings to the farm show, Westgard said REAL was looking for ways to add value and the collaboration with AMC was a clear choice. “Being a leader in the growth and manufacturing of agricultural equipment has traditionally been Saskatchewan’s strong suit. What the future of agriculture brings to the rest of the world is centred right here in Saskatchewan,” he proudly notes. The strength and success of the AMC membership in this province supports his statement.

Westgard stresses that a career in ag is “more than just welders, machinists, and millwrights, which are all very good jobs and all very important to the industry. It’s everything from finance to marketing to the human resources side of it. There’s a lot of opportunity. I don’t think people understand how big the agriculture

sector is and how important it is to Canada and the rest of the world. It all started with people with good ideas wanting to make things better. A little hard work and ingenuity, and we’ve got world-class manufacturing facilities.”

A match made in agriculture

To continue to foster growth in agricultural manufacturing means coming together to find solutions to new challenges as they arise. Through CFS’s advisory committee and exhibitors, Westgard was advised that difficulty finding labour was becoming a roadblock to growth for many companies.

“We want to continue to support our manufacturing associations and dealerships, and part of that is finding the right labour. AMC is a perfect partner for us. When Donna Boyd and AMC came up with Careers in Ag, we thought it could provide added value to a lot of our exhibitors. We’ve got the best of the best for manufacturers at Canada’s Farm Show. It’s a natural fit.”

In order to put a lens on technology, what’s new and what the future of farming will look like around the world, Canada’s Farm Show started working more closely with Boyd to understand what AMC does and what she is hearing from the front lines of ag manufacturing. “Starting to talk about how we make things better, the idea of consistent and constant improvement and how that would add value to a lot of our partners and exhibitors, we found more alignment in our goals for REAL, CFS, and AMC. There’s a natural fit that works together.”

Launch your Career in Ag at Canada’s Farm Show

The meeting of AMC and REAL experts has yielded what Westgard describes as a very exciting event. The inaugural event: Launch your Career in Ag will be at CFS on Thursday, June 22nd. The day will include panel discussions about Careers in Ag and how some companies are approaching the problem with reallife examples of what is going on in the industry. Students from universities, colleges, and high schools with specialized trades programs from across Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba are being provided complimentary admission for the day so that they can connect directly with companies that are hiring. Westgard says, “Students will be able to scan a QR code that will give them access to the show all day on Thursday to take in the summer farm show and hopefully find someone to make a career with.”

that happen. REAL will help market companies looking to hire, in part, by placing special recognition in each exhibitor listing. As potential employees read the list of exhibitors, they will be able to easily pick out those companies that are hiring and seek them out.

Moving in the right direction

happening at the provincial and federal levels that supports agriculture as well.” Cultivate your workforce through collaboration

Exhibitors at CFS will be asked to participate in the networking event. The goal is to let people know which companies are hiring and to assist them in making connections with people who are seeking careers in the ag industry. Westgard says it’s about fitting the right people in the right positions to allow organizations to continue to grow and getting the initial contacts made to make

When asked about the Launch your Career in Ag initiative, and other changes being made at CFS, Westgard says, “We’ve got to continue to reinvent and reinvigorate the show. I think we’re on the right path. Exhibitors are ahead of where we were last year, so I think we’re moving in the right direction. We’re seeing international visitors come back up nicely to almost pre-pandemic times. We’re seeing buyers come back. We’re really listening to what we heard from our stakeholders and what they would like to see – what’s new, what’s happening on the technology side and how do we get there. We are watching everything from technology to Careers in Ag to everything in between – what’s

AMC will be hosting a booth at CFS and will invite members to join them in the AMC space Thursday afternoon to connect with potential workforce recruits. The space will be dedicated to championing the benefits of the many available careers in agriculture and will be a place where AMC members who may not be exhibiting at the show are able to connect and network with people interested in working in ag manufacturing.

AMC Cultivates Drive Opportunities for Growth

AMC Collaborates National Catalyst for Thought Leadership

FA RM SHOW REGINA , SK

CANA DA’S

“We want to continue to support our manufacturing associations and dealerships, and part of that is finding the right labour.

AMC is a perfect partner for us.”

Banff plays host to 2022 AMC Convention

Members rave about their experience

By Lori Derksen

With very few places in Canada more picturesque, and nestled between Tunnel Mountain, Mount Rundle, Sulphur Mountain, Mount Norquay, and Cascade Mountain, AMC hosted its 50th Annual Convention and Trade Show in Banff, AB. With the THRIVE theme ringing true, roughly 150 people representing over 60 member companies gathered at Banff Centre on Dec. 6 and 7, 2022, with participants giving resoundingly positive reviews of the AMC event.

“The THRIVE theme focused on the foundations paramount to a successful company,” said AMC President, Donna Boyd. “Over the two days, we heard insights from an outstanding lineup of top experts presenting on key topics, ranging from building engagement among employees to current economic trends.”

Along with the celebration of our 50th anniversary milestone, we launched a new tradition: the Founders Lunch, which recognized and celebrated the founding members of AMC whose vision in the early 1970s created a legacy that we continue to build upon today and into the future.

Eight speaker sessions and 36 trade show exhibitors meant a full agenda,

with the highlight for many being Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe, an expert on resiliency and workplace wellness, who delivered her presentation called Leading Through the Storms.

Create Opportunities for Indigenous Manufacturers: Bridget Bohan, Director, Business Development, Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen)

• Strong Teams Equal Strong ResultsBuilding and Maintaining Trust in Your Business: James Blase, Decision Works Consulting

• Cultivating the New Normal: Pat Hirst, Manager of Training and Development, MacDon Industries

• The Future of Agricultural Machinery Standards in Canada: Scott Cedarquist, ASABE Standards and Technical Director

Almost every attendee had an emotional response when hearing Hanley-Dafoe’s personal story of triumph through life’s challenges, as she focused on leadership and coping mechanisms. She also touched on trust-building activities for teams, wise practices for forces of recovery, and psychological safety. Posting about many of the same topics on social media, check out HanleyDafoe’s LinkedIn at: https://www. linkedin.com/in/drrobynehd.

Other speaker sessions included:

• NGen and IMCN: Collaborating to

• Vuforia Augmented Reality – The Rise of The Digital Mentor: Bill Durand, CEO, NeuroStrategy and PTC

• Inflation and Agriculture – Local and Global Perspectives: J.P. Gervais, Vice-President and Chief Agricultural Economist, FCC

• Tapping into Today’s Talent – 2022 Panel Discussion: Moderated by Dan Aberhart (President, Aberhart Ag Solutions), and featuring Pat Hirst (MacDon), Tara Shirtliffe (CLS Consulting), and James Blase (DecisionWorks Consulting).

“The camaraderie and networking are fantastic. Everyone is there to do the same, so it’s a friendly atmosphere. It was a (great) convention and I look forward to next year.”

“The theme and speakers were of a high quality; the convention was well organized and had great topics,” said one appreciative attendee.

“The camaraderie and networking are fantastic,” said another attendee. “It was a great convention and I look forward to next year.”

But it wasn’t all business, as AMC provided attendees with great evening entertainment on both nights. Tuesday night, participants loaded up the shuttle bus and headed over to High Rollers - a Banff beer hall – for a night of pins, pizza, pool, and pints. Wednesday night included the AMC 50th Anniversary banquet. Kicking it off was the organization’s inaugural Careers in Ag Scholarship Fund Auction, which raised $7,700 for the scholarship fund. The second evening and Convention ended on a great note with Comedy in Motion’s Bob Cates entertaining attendees throughout the dinner.

Be sure to look out for AMC’s 2023 Annual Convention and Trade Show in Regina, SK, to be hosted at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Conference Centre on Nov. 22 and 23, 2023. Registration opens later this summer.

AMC Cultivates

Drive Opportunities for Growth

AMC Collaborates

National Catalyst for Thought Leadership

Milestone Members, 2022

50th Anniversary Banquet

50th Anniversary Banquet

Founders Award Recipients

Rick Schemenauer, Bourgault Tillage Tools Ltd. and Tara Shirtliffe, CLS Consulting

Tony Boken, Rod Sheldrake and Danny Chu Hi-Tech Seals

Grant Adolph, Buhler Industries Inc. and Damir Gospic, The CTD Group

Frank Capasso with his reward of Recognition of Outstanding Service as Past Chair of AMC

Chad Learmond, Wildwood Transport Inc. with AMC President Donna Boyd

Mix and Mingle

Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe presenting “Leading Through the Storms”

Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe

Delegates in session

Tapping into today’s talent with Dan Aberhart, James Blase, Pat Hirst and Tara Shirtliffe

AMC Board Chair Cor Lodder opening the Annual General Meeting

Alberta Snack Stop sponsored by A.M. Pinard et Fils Inc.

AMC Board Chair Cor Lodder Announcing CareersinAg.ca

Auctioning the Axalta Racing Jacket

Comedy in Motion

Pins, pool and pints at High Rollers

The inaugural Careers in Ag Scholarship Fund Auction

Pins, pool and pints at High Rollers

THRIVE 2022

AMC would like to thank our THRIVE 2022 Convention and Trade Show Sponsors

Presenting Sponsor

Gold Sponsors

L Neeralta Manufacturing Honey Bee Manufacturing

Silver Sponsors

Ltd.

C Delegate Bag Lanyard Program Digital Skills Canada Saskatchewan Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP)

WOMEN IN AG: ROOM TO GROW

Ag manufacturers support career advancement

GINA

DOSCH

& Marketing Coordinator

Highline Manufacturing

Both Gina Dosch and Chrisa Kastning have learned new skills to help them advance their careers in ag manufacturing.

Gina Dosch, Sales & Marketing Coordinator at Highline Manufacturing, wants women starting out on their career paths to know that the ag industry is not just about administrative work. From welding, fabrication, assembly, paint and many office positions, there are career paths in ag to fit just about anything a person may be interested in, and jobs are available!

Determining what a person is engaged in and what would be a good fit in the industry will dictate the necessary educational requirements for each individual. But, Dosch says the ag industry is supportive of growth and some companies will provide financial assistance to further an employee’s education.

Dosch herself had the opportunity to acquire new skills and grow in her position while working for Highline. Over the 20 years she’s been with the company, her role has expanded from coordinating outsourcing of things like brochures, photographs and videos to producing them in house.

Her Sales & Marketing Coordinator position allow her to express her creativity while also allowing her to get out of the office to attend trade shows as support for the territory manager. She also makes farm visits to meet and talk to Highline’s customers – building relationships that make the company stronger.

Asked about what keeps her engaged in her career, Dosch says, “the ag industry is amazing. There are always new challenges every day. That’s what I’m engaged with.”

Scan the QR code to watch a video of Gina Dosch talking about her career in the ag industry.

Scan the QR codes to access videos of Gina and Chrisa speaking about their careers

Thank you to Media Partner

Sales

CHRISA KASTNING

CEO of Duck Foot Parts Inc., Chrisa Kastning says there is plenty of opportunity in ag. Women looking for fulfilling careers are going to find that in ag no matter what excites them. They will find roles on the business side or technical, manufacturing and fabricating. Kastning whose overarching and varied role includes everything related to the company, from administrative and financial to marketing and strategic planning, says her path to her career was not a direct route. The skills she learned in her previous career allow her to pull from different areas to benefit the

work she does for Duck Foot Parts. The ability to adapt and learn and seek out information not only helped Kastning in her career, but she says those traits are key to success in finding and retaining a career in ag. Someone looking into an ag career should figure out what excites them and then explore what is involved in that career. There is likely a match for those interests in an ag career that will allow growth and advancement.

Kastning says she enjoys working in the ag industry. “We’re seeing more women in diverse roles and at the forefront. I

think there are exciting opportunities ahead.”

Scan the QR code to watch a video of Chrisa Kastning talking about career opportunities in the ag industry.

AMC Cultivates

Drive Opportunities for Growth

AMC Collaborates

National Catalyst for Thought Leadership

AMC Advocates

One United Voice for Our Industry

CEO Duck Foot Parts Inc.

MAJOR MANUFACTURER

By Dave Bannister

When Elmer Friesen decided to build his own row-crop cultivator in the 1970’s he had no idea of what was to come in the years ahead - continually growing over many decades and passing a successful business on to the next generation. Located in Altona, MB, Elmer’s Manufacturing began in 1978, when this innovative farmer turned his enjoyment of welding and repairing his equipment on the farm into a sturdy, new and practical implement for his own use. It was not long before a few neighbours wanted him to build them one, and a new agricultural manufacturing business was created.

Today, Elmer’s Manufacturing is a thriving business with about half of its equipment sales in Western Canada, and the remainder in the U.S. and Australia. The popularity and demand for its equipment led to the need for a bigger facility and a plant expansion in 2022. Two hundred employees now work at the company, mostly around Altona and in the Red River Valley.

Friesen firmly believes the company’s farm roots are central to Elmer’s success: “Our operations are located on a working farm,” he explains. “The product design, testing, fabrication, and assembly are all done on site. That gives us a thorough understanding of the environment our products are working in, and the needs of their operators. And it really helps Elmer’s people build strong relationships with our farm customers.”

Mike Friesen, President and CEO of Elmer’s, describes his involvement with the company his father started as a life-long interest. “I pretty much grew up on the farm with the equipment manufacturing business as part of that,” he explains. After high school, he went on to obtain a Mechanical Engineering degree and took a position with a major OEM upon graduation. Then in 2009, he returned to Elmer’s as Lead Engineer and Product Designer, eventually becoming the company’s CEO.

While Elmer’s sells their equipment through a well-established dealer network, the company also likes to build a rapport with their end users: “Customer feedback is a critical part of our product development,” he stresses. “We help troubleshoot customer issues with our dealers, we listen to their input, and where needed, we implement changes.” They often get ideas directly from customers that trigger a ‘why not’ design process which sometimes leads to new innovations in Elmer’s product line. “Customers are often surprised at how interactive we are in making sure our products are meeting their needs,” he notes.

“Our operations are located on a working farm...That gives us a thorough understanding of the environment our products are working in, and the needs of their operators. And it really helps Elmer’s people build strong relationships with our farm customers.”

With strong global demand, the Haulmaster high-capacity grain cart is Elmer’s mainstay product, featuring direct drive, high efficiency left or right-hand augers, minimal row disturbance, increased flotation, trailer transportability and enhanced operator controls. A little over half of the units are sold on the company’s unique tracks vs wheels. The most noted owner feedback was to create a lower grain cart with a variety of undercarriages to satisfy various local needs and preferences. “Some areas, or smaller grain carts, don’t need the extra flotation that tracks provide,” explains Mike. “Heavier Haulmasters, air seeders and fertilizer caddies receive most of our track installations.”

Elmer’s Super 7 Harrows are a revolutionary take on this implement according to Friesen. “Our harrow has a unique 7 Bar Design which harrows 40 per cent more of your field per pass. Combine that with adjustability and heavy-duty construction and customers get a harrow that can do it all.” Tine angle, down pressure and section angle are all adjustable.

The Elmer’s Wolverine Ditcher combines the cutting power of an ag scraper with the dirt distribution of a rotary ditcher to get water management work done in much less time and in year-round conditions. It can discharge right or left and provides a similar finish to a scraper with reduced field compaction and much

less pulling resistance.

The Ravage Bale Processor shreds round or square bales of all varieties and is built to handle the toughest bales. With the ability to hold up to three square bales per load, it reduces trips. The live floor provides full control of the bale feed and it can be reversed to discharge an unneeded bale or to help the operator see when loading a secondary bale on the forks.

Aligning Elmer’s workforce with their core values is key to engaging employees and empowering them to look for continual improvement in the company’s product line, he notes. “Employees like our culture, enjoy coming to work and appreciate having (the ability to take) the initiative to make everything we do better,” he says. “These initiatives lead to growth, and without growing, a company won’t survive.” Elmer’s is always on the lookout for key hires, with nine job openings currently listed on the company website. Elmer’s has been an AMC member since 1988. Friesen values the opportunities for keeping up with trends and peer learning opportunities the organization provides. “AMC does a really good job for their members in those areas,” he states.

The company’s vision, mission and a set of core values are central to the way Elmer’s operates, according to Friesen. “The company’s vision is to provide innovative agricultural equipment and solutions for maximizing farming potential to feed the world. Our mission is to manufacture and support high quality, innovative farm equipment focusing on the needs of progressive farmers.”

Elmer’s will continue to expand from its farm roots, according to Friesen. “We see lots of opportunities for growth in the next few years,” he notes. “Our customers tell us what they need, our employees respond with great ideas, and the technology flows from there.” That’s a philosophy that has clearly served Elmer’s well.

AMC Cultivates

AMC Collaborates

National Catalyst for Thought Leadership

“Many of our customers are AMC members... It’s also good to be able to reach out and compare best practices or challenges with others in the ag manufacturing industry.”

Constantly pushing the envelope for 60 years of success

By Dave Bannister

With a six-decade history, Atom-Jet Group, of Brandon, Manitoba has been built on a strong foundation that has weathered the test of time. True innovation, pushing the envelope with new ideas or opportunities, building quality products then standing behind them and strong core values have helped them build their reputation and success. They have now achieved a milestone many businesses never reach: celebrating 60 years in business!

Today, the company has two business units: Atom-Jet Industries and Glendale Industries. Atom-Jet Industries specializes in seeding openers, custom brazing, and CNC and manual machining.

Terry Dorratt, Vice-President of Sales and Manufacturing Operations, who has been with the company for 10 years, explains the history behind the AtomJet name: “Originally, the Coburn family started the company in 1962 to build atomizers for old gas furnaces. Along the way, they began producing sprockets for Manitoba Hydro leading to the addition of the machining division,” he notes. “Then, 35 years ago a local farmer asked them to build a new seed opener for him. That launched the company into manufacturing for agriculture, which is now our largest market.” The original name stuck with the company through its evolution.

Current owner Barry LaRocque bought Atom-Jet in 2002 and has built the company into the diversified business it is today, with sales in Western Canada, the U.S., Europe and Australia.

In 2011 Glendale Industries, a company specializing in tanks for potable water and septic removal trucks was acquired. Other services offered by Atom-Jet Group include structural steel construction, powder coating and custom brazing used by several other AMC members.

“We believe we need to constantly push the envelope to stay relevant in today’s rapidly changing business environment.”

Seed openers remain the core business for the company, notes Dorratt. “AtomJet pioneered the vertical design of seed openers and same-plane placement,” he explains. “They are true innovations that lead to more accurate seed and fertilizer placement, and efficient closure for an impeccable field finish. The result is improved seed-to-soil contact, quicker germination and a superior plant stand.” While competitors have emulated the vertical design, Dorratt points out that Atom-Jet’s sourcing of North American materials and fully welded steel construction results in harder and longer-wearing openers than the cast components used by many competitors. The company also manufactures retrofit hydraulic systems for older tractors.

“Many tractors have lots of power to pull big implements,” Dorratt notes.

“What they often lack is a hydraulic

system capable of powering today’s more sophisticated implements. We’re able to help farmers get full potential out of their investment in these tractors.” The proven durability of their products is one of the main reasons why Atom-Jet offers one of the best warranties in the business: A 100% money back guarantee if a customer is not satisfied. Dorratt credits this warranty with instilling confidence among their customer base.

He also believes the company’s core values of respect, transparency, accountability, and quality, have contributed much to the strong reputation Atom-Jet has in the industry. “These values start right at the top, with the owner,” he explains. “They’re ingrained in everything we do in the workplace, the way staff and customers are treated, everyone we deal with.”

These values help Atom-Jet maintain a strong workforce, now numbering about 100 according to Dorratt. “We have a very strong core team, with some employees having worked here for decades,” he explains. “They’re definitely a key part of the success of our business.”

Dorratt is proud of the fact that the company has been able to attract employees with a diversified skill set and level of education – engineers, red-seal trades, finance experts, and apprentices. “This diversity shows in the innovation we have been able to achieve at Atom-Jet,” he notes. “The company has nine existing patents and three pending. We have four people on our R&D staff, which has a substantial budget for a company our size. We believe we need to constantly push the envelope to stay relevant in today’s rapidly changing business environment.”

Recent investments have upgraded Atom-Jet’s capabilities in robotic induction brazing, robotic welding, and CNC lathe and brake capabilities.

Sixtieth anniversary events have been part of a year-long celebration at AtomJet. The company hosted a barbeque

on the front lawn with current and retired staff and dignitaries, entertained customers, vendors and suppliers at Ag Days, and made a $60,000 donation to the Prairie Innovation Centre during a gala event at Assiniboine College. A special 60th Anniversary logo is featured prominently on staff clothing, the company fleet, website, and publications.

Based on its strong foundation and values, it is no surprise that Atom-Jet believes in giving back to the community. Ten years ago, in conjunction with their sponsorship of the Brandon Wheat Kings, the company initiated a “Community Heroes” Award. Every month at a home game, recognition was given to a community, school or coaching leader. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, they evolved the award to recognize front-line workers in health care, fire, police and the military, among others, at every home game.

Atom-Jet has been a long-term member of AMC. Dorratt notes that although they’re not a large company among AMC’s membership, they derive big benefits from their involvement. “Many of our customers are AMC members,” he explains. “It’s also good to be able to reach out and compare best practices or challenges with others in the ag manufacturing industry. Plus, with everyone being so busy, it’s great to have the opportunity to get together socially a couple of times a year, whether it’s golf, a trade show, or an AMC convention.”

Stay tuned for the next 60 years of innovation and success at Atom-Jet Group!

AMC Cultivates

Drive Opportunities for Growth

AMC Collaborates

National Catalyst for Thought Leadership

“These values start right at the top, with the owner. They’re ingrained in everything we do in the workplace, the way staff and customers are treated, everyone we deal with.”

A people-powered business

By Dave Bannister

Väderstad Industries is anything but a typical family-owned business, although those family and farming beginnings laid the solid foundation for the global agricultural powerhouse brand it has become today. Since being founded in 1962 in Sweden, Väderstad has earned an international reputation as a highend ag manufacturing company. From its humble beginnings over six decades ago, it has continually expanded, including the purchase of Seed Hawk in 2013 to establish a presence in Saskatchewan. Väderstad is now in over 40 countries and on all continents.

supply its global distribution network. They not only produce farm machinery, they conduct research and development on their own farms, ensuring continued success and product evolution.

Top Employers. This is no small feat when you consider that their Saskatchewan location in Langbank, a village with a population of 20 according to the 2021 Canadian Census, is situated over 200 km from Regina. What does Väderstad do to build and maintain high employee satisfaction? Väderstad encourages ongoing professional development and offers tuition subsidies to employees and also offers the option to apply for an unpaid educational leave of absence for professional development.

“My position has grown and changed over the four years I have been with Väderstad,” said Cathy Sweet, Director of Human Resources, North America for Väderstad. “It started with a focus on supporting the business here in Canada, but with the acquisition of the U.S. subsidiary, the role evolved into representing the North America region.” Sweet adds, “My role helps guide the business along with the other senior leaders, and we work very closely with our colleagues in Sweden to align our global business.”

Another important factor is that the company offers hybrid work options where possible and provides employees with needed computer equipment as well as home internet subsidies.

Väderstad also shares company successes with its employees through profit sharing programs.

The company has manufacturing facilities located in Sweden, Saskatchewan, and North Dakota to

Väderstad places a great deal of value on maintaining a high satisfaction level among the company’s workforce and it shows in everything they do. In 2022, Väderstad Industries Inc. was recognized as one of Saskatchewan’s

“Our employee base has grown over the last few years, so we have seen a lot of new faces and skills, but we also have a great mix of employees who have been with the company for many years,” notes Sweet. “Our workforce in Canada is very diverse, with a vast employee base and we strive to offer a great, safe place to work. Our extremely low turnover is a result of these efforts,” said Sweet. “We are looking for driven and innovative people to join our team, to be able to continually develop our business.”

“Our workforce in Canada is very diverse, with a vast employee base and we strive to offer a great, safe place to work. Our extremely low turnover is a result of these efforts.”

The company lists employees at 265 in Saskatchewan, with the longest having been there 24 years.

“The facility is in a rural area where there is little access to restaurants. One benefit that really sets Väderstad apart is the Langbank location,” said Sweet. They provide a meal subsidy program offering discounted breakfast and lunch to employees which makes it easy for them to have cost-effective, fresh-made meals right at Väderstad. “We make approximately 700 meals a week out of the cafeteria, with a focus on ingredients from local farmers, where possible,” said Sweet.

Farms surround Väderstad’s location, about three kilometers north of the village of Langbank. It was in this part of the province that a grain farmer need was identified just over 30 years ago: Equipment that repeatedly and very precisely places seed and fertilizer. This equipment needed to seed shallow at a consistent depth, in zero-till conditions, helping to preserve ground moisture. No one was manufacturing equipment that did that, so in 1992 a company named Seed Hawk began production in a small shop. Years later, at a farm show in Western Canada, the company gained the attention of Väderstad, which shared Seed Hawk’s appreciation for innovation and efficiency. In 2006, Väderstad bought a minority stake in Seed Hawk. This agreement allowed Väderstad to enter the North American market and it saw Saskatchewan-made Seed Hawk equipment begin to be sold in Australia, Ukraine and Russia soon after. By 2013, the relationship evolved to the point that Väderstad bought Seed Hawk outright. The Seed Hawk air seeder is the dominant Väderstad product in Western Canada. Over the last five years this

product has seen an increase in popularity and as a result, significant gains in market share. “The Väderstad Seed Hawk was the first to bring sectional control technology to the air seeding industry,” said Sweet. “Today we continue that competitive advantage with industry-leading features such as lifting individual shank sections out of the ground when encountering previously seeded areas of the field, a Seed Hawk exclusive feature.”

Another seeder, the Väderstad Tempo planter, was introduced to the market over 10 years ago, using pressurized air to singulate and deliver the seed into the furrow. This allows very high levels of precision at high ground speeds. “Most of the competitors in this field were using a vacuum to singulate and allow the seed to free fall to the ground,” Sweet explains.

Väderstad proudly stands behind the products they build. “The Väderstad Carrier, a high-speed disc, has a lifetime warranty against disc breakage,” notes Sweet. “No questions asked, you break it, we replace it. We can do this because we manufacture the discs ourselves in our own facility in Sweden. The steel we use to make the disc is called V55. It’s a very high standard of steel that balances hardness with wearability.”

Väderstad has Sales and Service employees spread throughout Canada that support dealers and customers from Alberta to Quebec. “While Western Canada is our primary market, you will find Väderstad Seed Hawk products all around the world, from the United States, to Australia, to Europe,” Sweet says. “In Western Canada we sell our product through a dealer network. This

Location flexibility is another key benefit to working at Väderstad. “We have our manufacturing facility around the Langbank/Whitewood area in rural Saskatchewan,” Sweet notes. “This is where many of our employees that directly support the manufacturing operations are located. The addition of the Regina office is to support our employees in the Regina area. It provides a central location to attract talent in the area that does not need to be at the Langbank site daily.”

“We must remember every day that the farmer is ultimately our real manager and the one who pays the bills. We never leave a customer behind and always treat them with the utmost respect. It’s the Väderstad Way.”

is primarily main line equipment dealers such as John Deere and CIH. In other areas of the world, we have distributors/ importers that we sell to.”

“One of the most important parts in selling equipment is being able to provide outstanding service and a robust parts network,” Sweet explains. “Working through dealers brings a partnership that ensures customer needs are at the forefront of our business.”

Väderstad has a motto, “Service and support is in our DNA.” We asked Sweet what this means in their day-to-day business. “Customer relations and support are at the core of our business,” she quickly replied. “If what we are doing on a day-to-day basis does not support this, we need to realign.” Sweet adds, “We must remember every day that the farmer is ultimately our real manager and the one who guides us in our decision making. We never leave a customer behind and always treat them with the utmost respect. It’s the Väderstad Way.”

resilience Rooted in

Your mental health matters

Check out FCC’s new mental health publication: Rooted in Resilience

In this industry it’s important to stay on top of things. We’re always checking in on our business and our people to make sure everything is running smoothly. But what about checking in on yourself?

Make sure your well-being is a priority and talk to somebody if you or someone you know needs help. Where can you start? FCC has a mental health check-in online. Visit fcc.ca/Wellness.

Learn more with Rooted in Resilience

At the site, you’ll also find a new publication from Farm Credit Canada that’s dedicated exclusively to supporting mental health, being at your very best, and supporting family, friends and community to be at theirs.

Psychologists agree that resilience means the ability to adapt well and recover from adversity and hardship. We aren’t simply born with resilience – it’s very much learned – and becoming more resilient can be empowering, resulting in profound personal growth. Rooted in Resilience is designed to help you do this, so you’re better prepared with the skills and strengths to successfully adapt through difficult life experiences.

Within the pages of the magazine, you’ll find support and inspiration via personal stories from others who have experienced or are living and coping with mental health challenges – and thriving. Professionals share their expertise and advice on navigating specific situations, and recent rural-focused mental health studies help to paint an honest picture.

While you read and browse, consider the tips, quotes and suggestions as opportunities to reflect on your core values and lifestyle, redefine success for yourself, and sharpen the focus on your “North Star” or purpose. You, and how you’re feeling, matter.

You’ll also learn what suggested actions you can begin taking right now, today, that will support you to become or maintain the best version of yourself as an individual, as a family member and as a business operator.

You can download Rooted in Resilience right now at fcc.ca/Wellness. Feel free to share the link with your customers, partners, family members and friends.

EXPO 23 INSPIRE

By Lori Derksen and Janet Morley

Photos by Heather Brekelmans and Myron Glova

AMC was delighted to welcome members, exhibitors and sponsors to London, Ontario for two days of networking, learning, trade show and socializing for AMC Expo 2023: INSPIRE on April 26th and 27th.

Wednesday afternoon saw Expo attendees boarding buses for a short trip up to the university district for a tour of The National Research Council of Canada’s London facility. Although

Speakers

pictures and video were not allowed inside the building, knowledge of new and interesting research projects was taken out by AMC members. The tour included talks and demonstrations by NRC scientists on laser surfacing, coatings, metal repair and autonomous vehicles.

After a mix and mingle in the trade show space at the hotel, the buses were boarded again, this time headed to Toboggan Brewing Company for appetizers, brewery tour, tastings, networking and fun.

Thursday was a packed day with dynamic and inspirational lectures from talented speakers and plenty of networking in the trade show space. The outstanding speakers delivered key insights on driving the industry forward through research and commercialization, attraction and retention of critical talent and using digital media to effectively market goods and services.

A highlight of the afternoon speakers was Judy Croon, Canada’s Keynote Humourist, who got attendees laughing and thinking about creative ways to relieve work-related stress.

Speaker Dave Smardon, Bioenterprise

Speaker Michael Bird, Spindustry

Keynote humourist Judy Croon

Speaker Diana Holec, Aon

Speakers Ryan Myers & Taufiq Rahman, NRC

Highlights from Toboggan Brewing Company Appetizers, Tasting and Brewery Tour at Toboggan Brewing Company

Joe Gallant, S3 Group

Highlights from Toboggan Brewing Company

Amanda MacFarlane, Discovery Farm

NRC Tours

National Research Council Canada London Facilty (NRC) Tour

Highlights from NRC Tour

Highlights from NRC Tour

Highlights from NRC Tour

Highlights from NRC Tour

The NRC building

Donna Boyd, President of AMC

Highlights from NRC Tour

Laura Fullerton of Discovery Farm, Home of Ag in Motion and Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show and raffle prize winner Rick Smith of Encore Metals with AMC President Donna Boyd

Canimex team with Glenn Buurma, Penta Equipment at AMC Trade Show

Paul Horst, Tubeline Mfg./Horst Welding

Victor Mark, Dynamic Tire at Expo Trade Show

Josh Payne, mode40 at Expo Tradeshow

John Miller and team, Sherwin-Williams at Expo Trade Show

Randy Bauman, Eldale Machine & Tool Ltd.

Jacqueline Guertin and Kayhan Coskun, Superior Finishes Inc at Expo Trade Show

Kyle Duncan and Pascal Thibeault, Intergraphics Decal Ltd. at Expo Trade Show

Cherrille Price, AMC Staff at Expo Registration

Sean Ralph and Kim Buxton, AIC Supply at Expo Trade Show

Donna Boyd, President of AMC

AMC CULTIVATE PODCAST

Capturing ag industry passions

AMC Cultivate Podcast 1: The Power of Collaboration: AMC Expo 2022, BKT Tires and Field of STARS

AMC Cultivate Podcast was launched on May 19, 2022, with an episode exploring the power of cultivating collaboration through networking, partnerships and giving back.

The episode begins by looking back at key takeaways from AMC’s Guelph Expo: Tech Talent Together. Next, Alan Eskow, Vice President for Sales and Marketing for BKT Tires in Canada speaks to the networking opportunities AMC membership has afforded BKT, allowing the company to make solid inroads into ag manufacturing in Canada.

The episode wraps up with Dan Aberhart, President of Aberhart Ag Solutions and 2022 Field of STARS (Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service) Committee Chair, sharing information about Field of STARS in conjunction with Ag in Motion and in support of STARS Air Ambulance. The event returns to Ag in Motion July 18-20, 2023.

AMC Cultivate Podcast 2: The Value of Mentorship

Every Day

and having FUN

In November’s Cultivate Podcast we met with Gene Fraser, retired MacDon Industries Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing, to discuss a few of the things he learned during his 41-year career in ag manufacturing.

With anecdotes and real-life experiences, we delve into Gene’s key

belief in doing great business, “the value of mentorship and having fun every day” and his key belief that sharing experiences within the industry will help ag manufacturing continue to flourish.

AMC Cultivate Podcast 3: Exploring the Sales Side of Ag Manufacturing

In our third and most recent episode released this past April, we explored the world of ag manufacturing from a sales perspective. Neither of our two Cultivate Podcast guests expected to find themselves in the ag manufacturing industry, but both found themselves fitting in and finding their passion.

Chris Morson, Regional Sales Manager at Raven Industries, explains how he found his way from the oil patch to studying psychology and hotel and restaurant management to finding himself fully engaged in agricultural equipment sales.

Jordan Graber, Parts and Sales Representative at Bauman Manufacturing, found herself in what she thought was going to be a temporary role in ag manufacturing. Once she was immersed in ag manufacturing, she was hooked by the opportunities she discovered.

Are you changing the way business is done in your company or industry?

SPOTLIGHT

Re!magining Towed Feed Mixers

The need to deliver well-mixed feed accurately, efficiently and cost effectively to livestock can be a challenge for farmers whether they are feeding outdoors, at multiple locations or filling feed bunks in free-stall barns. Highline Manufacturing kept all these factors in mind when designing a new towed feed mixer. The result was a complete solution to feeding livestock in the most efficient and effective way possible, delivered in a simple, reliable and cost-effective package: Highline’s AMX 850T Feed Mixer.

With its 58” wide front unload door, feed is delivered quickly and evenly, meaning fewer tractor stops and an optimal clean out of the mixer. Twin vertical mixing screws and prominent dividers in the tub ensure excellent mix consistency with minimal mixing dead spots.

The AMX850T Feed Mixer is available with three different conveyor options to meet each customer’s needs. Hydraulic Fold, Dogleg and Flat are available on the mixer to enable simple feed delivery in all feeding set ups.

Weather throughout North America creates challenges for heavy loads travelling on less-than-optimal footing. With dual axles, high flotation tires and heavy duty 10-bolt hubs, the AMX850T travels easily over soft and uneven ground. Optional mud flaps prevent material thrown from the tractor tires onto the front unload conveyor.

Re!magining Personal Logistics

In order to streamline tasks like extracting and bagging grain which require equipment operators to move between the grain bag and the tractor, RCFarmArm designed a remote device to control ignition and PTO which assisted in limiting the number of times an operator had to climb in and out of the tractor.

RCFarmStr8 goes a step beyond the company’s initial product by adding remote steering for tractors operating grain baggers. The device bolts onto the tractor as an attachment and doesn’t require any major modifications to the tractor. With the RCFarmStr8, the bagger tractor can be steered remotely as the grain bag fills saving multiple trips into the cab to adjust the tractor’s position.

The RCFarmStr8 is an industry first, Real Time Kinematics (RTK) Auto Steer for bagging grain. The complete stand-alone system, RTK Base Station uses a cordless M18 battery which provides up to 6 days use. The steering unit uses RCFarmArm’s patent pending 3-wheel servo system to hold the wheel in place during start-ups and when encountering rocks in the path of the tractor’s front wheels.

The steering wheel module includes a seven-inch touch screen and microcomputer that connects to the steering servo, angle sensor, GPS antenna, RTK Radio antenna and 12v power.

The device is available for a wide range of tractor brands. RCFarmArm adds models to their offerings when as few as five owners inquire about a tractor model not yet covered by RCFarmArm’s existing product line.

Re!magining Mentorship

In this time of competitive labour markets, with many manufacturers stretched to find and train employees, NeuroStrategy meets employers’ needs to train staff with minimal person-to-person time. Using Vuforia Augmented Reality, Neurostrategy reaches out to help solve training, procedure compliance, safety and operational efficiency for OEMs while minimally impacting production lines.

Using Vuforia Expert Capture™, Vuforia Instruct™ and Vuforia Chalk™ with Augmented Reality (AR) headsets to both upload and download 3-D information, Neurostrategy assists their clients in building AR training tools to access and evolve how workers access critical information.

Traditional mentoring can mean production delays as expert employees take time to impart their years of knowledge with the broader workforce. Vuforia Expert Capture quickly and easily documents the knowledge of those tenured experts, capturing step-bystep procedures and best practices and transforms those insights into reusable process documents and training materials without disruptions to those high-value workers.

The materials created help frontline workers get their jobs done quickly and accurately. Content is automatically optimized for viewing on Microsoft Hololens, Real Wear HMT one and mobile devices and reduces the errors associated with traditional training and instruction methods.

In addition to Vuforia Expert Capture, NeuroStrategy also offers Vuforia Instruct and Vuforia Chalk.

Vuforia Instruct accelerates and simplifies the creation and delivery of augmented 3D work instructions to frontline workers to optimize inspections for quality and field maintenance use cases. AR work instructions reduce the errors associated with traditional training and instruction methods. They also provide an opportunity to capture input related to specific procedures that can easily be shared for traceability and process improvement.

Combining advanced AR collaboration tools with real-time video communications, Vuforia Chalk brings technicians and experts together for on-the-spot problem solving guidance, support and collaboration. Technicians and experts can draw digital annotations on a mobile screen or desktop that accurately stick to 3D physical objects in the real world, allowing the expert to guide the technician through a process, step-by-step.

AMC Cultivates

Drive Opportunities for Growth

AMC Collaborates

National Catalyst for Thought Leadership

Showcase your Re!magination...

The AMC Re!magination Spotlight is an opportunity for AMC members to showcase how they are reimagining business!

In order to qualify, your company should be reimagining business in one of the following categories:

Business Models: Examples could include shifting gears to adapt to changing business supply demands, expansions, or new acquisition strategies.

Workforce: Examples could include a virtual workforce, an outsourced workforce, or an automated workforce.

Products: Examples could include new product development, innovation, and new-tomarket ideas.

Services: Examples could include adapting offerings to a changing environment or reinventing your delivery of services to meet customer needs.

Technology: Examples could include the development of a new software, new technological equipment, or automation.

Distribution: Examples could include new sales tactics, new supplier channels, or new network opportunities.

Other: Examples could include reimaginations that do not fit into one of the above categories.

Submissions are easy!

Just send us a 150-word write-up telling us a little bit about your reimagination, the category it qualifies for, and the impact it has on your business or the industry. Submissions are free and you can submit more than one entry. Submit your entry.

This is a recurring section in Implement Success, so submit now to have your company featured in an upcoming edition! Submissions can be sent to sgopwani@31stline.com, with the subject line, ‘AMC Re!magination Spotlight Submission’.

New Member

Agrimatics is committed to providing the world's best electronics and software products to the agricultural sector. Our tablet and smartphone-based approach is changing the industry. agrimatics.com

In an average year, Canada mourns the loss of over 100 adults and children due to agricultural fatalities. Canada’s agricultural sector is one of the most hazardous industries in which to work. Producer groups, non-profits, government bodies, industry and researchers formed what is now the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) in 1993 to respond to issues of health and safety in agriculture.

Comer Industries is a global player engaged in the design and production of advanced engineering systems and mechatronic solutions for power transmission. It operates in the sectors of agricultural machinery, construction equipment and forestry, energy and industry. The products offered by the group include Gearboxes, Driveshafts (PTO and Cardan), Powertrain, Planetary drives and Wheel drives. comerindustries.com

The main product lines of the Mechanical and Electrical Division of Canimex include a wide range of bearings, gearboxes, clutches, axles, AC and DC (AC/DC) electric motors, control boxes as well as all other components developed specifically for your needs.

groupecanimex.com/en/

As a national, non-profit organization, CASA promotes farm safety in the agricultural sector. CASA works with partners in government, business, and farming organizations across the country to support initiatives that equip producers, their families and their workers with the information and tools needed to make farms a safe place to live, work and play. casa-acsa.ca

Datomar Labs Inc. provides software solutions for Agricultural Manufacturers, including their “Digital Iron” product. datomarlabs.com

DecisionWorks Consulting started 14 years ago with one simple and central business value proposition - great decisions drive positive change. To realize that goal, we have developed a methodology that uses facilitation, visualization and data science to focus and engage the client in moving from “vision” to “action.” We believe that once a roadmap of actions is developed, effective and consensus-based decision-making will be the driving force to actually achieve it.

DecisionWorks was formed specifically to ensure that our clients can instill a culture of ongoing consensusbased decision-making using our tools and techniques.

Our clients represent virtually every industry across Canada with a special emphasis on manufacturing, supply chain, government agencies, agriculture and insurance. Just a small sampling of some of our clients include Pattison Signs, Northwest Company, Hudson Bay Railway, Interpipeline, Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation and Northstar Construction. decisionworks.ca

At Edge Agro we pride ourselves in being the most innovative Premium Auger Manufacturer in the world. At the heart of the Western Canadian Prairies, we design and manufacture premium augers for the serious farmer.

Our innovations include suspended and dynamically balanced flighting, task appropriate Diesel engines, hydraulic systems, wireless control kits and many more.

edgeagro.com

Producer of metal fabrication equipment used in the manufacturing of agricultural equipment.

mcmachinery.com

Discovery Farm, Home of Ag in Motion and Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show is Western Canada’s largest outdoor farm expo taking place at Discovery Farm Langham just northwest of Saskatoon, SK over three days each July. With 100+ acres of trade show and demonstration space, this is the perfect place to highlight the latest in ag equipment technology to over 30,000 farm customers who visit the show to help make decisions for their operations. Visit aginmotion.ca to get involved.

aginmotion.ca

Free Form Plastic Products Inc. was established in 1990 at its current location in St. Brieux by a local family to produce rotationally moulded components that meet the high-quality requirements of Western Canada’s leading agricultural equipment manufacturers.  The primary focus of the business was to produce custom products for clients as needed.

The company outgrew the original building very quickly and expanded its production space and amount of equipment. During this time many agriculture OEMs became dependent on the parts being produced which lead to Bourgault Industries Ltd. purchasing the company to maintain supply of these products.

In time, the business transitioned from one focused on custom molded products to one which looked to differentiate itself in the market through the creation of proprietary solutions. With this transformation came the creation of an extensive dealer network and the groundwork for how the company continues to operate today.

freeformplastics.com

National in scope and local in focus, MNP is one of Canada’s leading professional services firms — proudly serving individuals, businesses, and organizations since 1958. Through the development of strong relationships, we provide client-focused accounting, consulting, tax, and digital services.

Our clients benefit from personalized strategies with a local perspective to fuel success at every stage.

mnp.ca

Dodge Industrial, Inc. designs, manufactures, and supplies customized mechanical power transmission products for a wide range of industries and markets across the globe. dodgeindustrial.com

Indigenous Manufacturing and Contracting Network Inc.

The Indigenous Manufacturing & Contracting Network (IMCN) generates long-term prosperity through the support and promotion of Indigenous business and individuals in the manufacturing and contracting sectors. imcn.ca

mode40 is an organization purpose built for modern manufacturing where Smart Manufacturing (OT) combines with Information Technology (IT) combines with Lean process improvement (process) and change management (people).

Born out of 20+ years of in-house growth and development at a leading global protein producer/processor, the founders were tired of coaching consultants that did not understand how technology affected the floor, people, processes and systems that were in place.

In order to achieve world class results in their own organization, they had to restructure internal business units, retrain people, relearn how to adopt technology. We bring the experience and agnostic guidance to clients of practical improvements to production processes with lean coaching, generating data and integrating systems that improve an organization's ability to operate efficiently by providing the right data, to the right person, at the right time to positively impact business.

mode40.com

Neurostrategy Inc. provides rapid Augmented Reality and Internet of Things software (PTC) and assists customers with planning and executing their digital transformation journeys.

Since 2014, NeuroStrategy has been helping OEMs, Distributors, and Service Providers experience the future of field service. We help businesses navigate their digital transformation journeys with consulting and technologies to help digitize their service operations.

As a PTC Partner, we collaborate to bring innovation and leading technologies together to bridge the physical & digital worlds. We focus on improving service profitability, customer satisfaction, dispatch process, inventory optimization, sales effectiveness and overall business performance.

neurostrategy.ca

The Sherwin-Williams Company delivers the best in paint and coatings products to the world. Every day, our more than 60,000 employees provide the energy and experience to build on our track record of success – enabling us to innovate and grow in new and exciting ways.

With our people as the foundation of our Company, we offer industry-leading innovation, value-added service and expertise, and differentiated distribution to our growing base of professional, industrial, commercial and consumer customers.

Sherwin-Williams industrial coatings deliver innovative, industry-leading solutions. The Performance Coatings Group, which provides the Company’s industrial coatings, has seven business divisions: aerospace coatings, automotive finishes, coil & extrusion, general industrial, industrial wood coatings, packaging coatings, and protective & marine coatings.

Our experts in the divisions offer world-class industry subject matter expertise, operating in more than 120 countries while providing localized service and execution. We have 327 Company-operated branches and facilities strategically located near our customers, so we can meet fast-turn small batches, and color, gloss and create viscosity customizations, on time and with accuracy.

sherwin-williams.com

Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP) was officially launched on August 21, 1996 with a mandate to increase Saskatchewan’s exports to existing markets and to tap into new markets by initiating sales, contracts, and projects for Saskatchewan exporters.

Operating as a government/industry partnership, STEP champions the province’s export industry and assists provincial businesses in realizing global marketing opportunities while finding custom solutions for Saskatchewan exporters.

As a non-profit, membership-based organization, STEP brings these resources together to provide worldclass, specially tailored services and programs that are of primary value to companies who are exporting outside the borders of Saskatchewan. These services include Trade Development, Market Intelligence, International Finance and Logistics, and International Development Projects. sasktrade.com

Toshont Power Products, established in 1993, is a Canadian distributor of Toshiba Industrial Electrical Products. This includes low and medium voltage motors and VFDs, UPS, Power Apparatus and Components, PLCs and service. We Provide Motors , Pumps, VFD's and all kind of Panels. toshont.com

WHEELS

HUBS

Ontario, Western Canada, USA

SPINDLES

Stephen Manley Communications/Business Development smanley@ampinard.com 613-577-9777

Quebec David Pinard, President david@ampinard.com 819-229-2204

English Customer Service claudine@ampinard.com

Office

592, rue Houde, St-Célestin QC J0G 1G0 819-229-2204 www.ampinard.com

VerevCo is all about your brand. We have evolved into an industry leader delivering high-quality customized decals to maximize your brand’s impact.

We have invested in new, state-ofthe-art equipment and technology to produce high-quality, durable graphics, logos, and decals. We specialize in working with OEM’s with a strong handle on farm equipment and storage applications for the AG sector.

Customer satisfaction, fast turnaround, and friendly service is our strategy. Always putting customers first. verevco.com

Vogelsang Fastener Solutions is a stocking manufacturer of tension bushings, coiled spring pins, slotted spring pins, and engineered specials.    The North American distribution is out of New Jersey, with plants located in the USA, France, Germany, and the Czech Republic.

vogelsangfastener.com

Westbrand is a 40-year-old Master Distributor of Fasteners and Threaded rod to OEM's and Distributors across Western Canada with customer procurement programs and in-house custom threading.  With over 26,000line items we carry a wide array of important and domestic fasteners for manufacturers of all types.

In addition, we own Shurseal Industries Ltd., a master distributor of gaskets and seals and can provide customer seal solutions using our in-house manufacturing.

westbrand.com

Walterscheid’ s Power Drive wide angle PTO featuring the P675 joint and K68 clutch transmit 35% more power than customary PTO drive shafts.

AGRICULTURE TURNS ON WALTERSCHEID

For over 100 years, we’ve engineered technology delivering e ciency in the agriculture, construction, mining, utility vehicle and industrial markets. In agricultural operations, the transmission of power via drive shafts is still one of the most important and e cient drive concepts. Our PTO drive shafts with the ULTRA.PLUS system achieve a previously unattainable level of performance, functionality and ease of maintenance.

For peace of mind, make sure your equipment has Walterscheid inside.

A LONG WAY TOGETHER

WHEREVER YOU ARE, BKT IS WITH YOU

No matter how challenging your needs, BKT is always with you, offering a wide range of tires tailored to every need in agriculture: from work in the open field to the orchards and vineyards, from high power tractors to trailers for transport.

Reliable and safe, sturdy and durable, capable of combining traction and reduced soil compaction, comfort and high performance.

BKT: always with you, to maximize productivity