Approximately 200 people gathered at Vermilion Agland as they held the Grand Opening of their new shop at 4915-47 Avenue on June 18. Chris Wilson has been working with Agland for the past 13 years, and as the Service Manager for the past seven years. “The size of the equipment, the popularity of John Deere machines, and our technician base has gradually increased in that time from three to five or six and now to 12 technicians,” said Wilson. Between the Lloydminster, St. Paul, and Vermilion locations, there are 60 technicians and 143 total staff. “This is great for the community, for our producers, as well as for our technicians and the rest of the staff or team. Added features of the new shop include an overhead hoist, a drive through double wash bay, and a clean and spacious building. Since the growth in size of machinery, for the growth of the business we need to support the customers, and thus need good people with great facilities,” said General Service Manager, Gordon Roebuck. With the previous existing building housing the office space and parts storage, the majority of the work on machinery will now be done in the new shop. “I’d like to thank everyone for coming. Five years ago, this project was considered but at that time was constricted by pipelines and a shortage of land. We have needed this for a while to work efficiently and safely. We are thankful to work with a lot of great people and are hoping for a good year for agriculture,” said General Manager, Cam Kay. Customers and community members were treated to a beef on a bun lunch and enjoyed visiting with one another, and touring the new shop. Long time customer, Roger Konieczny from Mannville said, “The service has been really good over the years. John Deere has been a reliable product and Agland has always had a good selection of parts or stock here in Vermilion or close by in Lloydminster. In addition, the staff has been good to work with.”
