Writer / Jamie Hergott Photographer / Amy Payne
Rex Roseboom II has been in the equipment industry since he was a toddler. As co-owner of Plainfield Equipment with his father, Rex senior, Roseboom’s earliest memories include coming to the shop after school, and on The family-owned business has been through many changes Saturdays when his dad would make him sweep floors, wash equipment, take out the trash, and do other odds through the years. Roseboom’s grandfather Russell was a farmer in the Pittsboro, Indiana, area more than forty years ago. He eventually and ends for the family business. recognized a need for quality farm equipment in his community, “I’ve always worked here,” Roseboom says. “It’s kind of in my blood. and started Roseboom Farm Supply in 1975. He offered farm supplies and equipment for local farmers. I’ve worked here since I was big enough to hold a broom, and it’s always been what I wanted to do.” In the early 1980s, Russell sold his business to his son, Rex senior, who had worked there with his three brothers throughout the Plainfield Equipment offers a wide variety of outdoor power equipment. Customers can find push mowers, handheld equipment, years. At that point the business name officially became Plainfield Equipment. agriculture products and construction machinery. The largest machines available are full-size backhoes and 300-horsepower The shop branched out into the lawn-and-garden sector, selling tractors. lawnmowers, chainsaws and trimmers. Roseboom always had plans to join the business, and brought his innovative and entrepreneurial These outdoor power products help customers with simple yard spirit with him when he did. He studied accounting and finance at work, the federal government with road projects and farmers with crops, among other tasks. The Plainfield Equipment staff has found IUPUI, and became co-owner with his dad in 2002. itself contributing to multiple industries including landscaping, “I’ve always had ideas to grow the business,” Roseboom says. “Some agriculture and construction. of those ideas allowed us to branch out to other brands and other SEPTEMBER 2020
