Claas, an agriculture-equipment manufacturer, has launched a “mobile-first, technology-driven dealership” in Madisonville, Kentucky. Claas Farmpoint is a company-owned dealership that serves its customers in Northern Kentucky and Indiana with mobile service technicians.
“CLAAS FARMPOINT represents a dynamic shift in the typical implement dealership organizational structure and facilities,” said Patricio Frangella, head of commercial development for North America, in a statement. “We concentrate on building relationships, focus on replacing the conventional building bricks and mortar model and use mobility to put more people in the field and on your farm more often.”
Frangella, who oversees operations for Claas Farmpoint, said the dealership will focus on remote service.
“The vast majority of the action will take place with a team of mobile service technicians, active parts dispatch direct to the farm or technician, and account managers right where the equipment lives, for maximum up time and greater support,” Frangella said in a statement.
MacAllister Machinery Co. is the Claas combine dealer in Indiana, and customers can now choose between it and Claas Farmpoint for service. The move is a joint plan between the two, according to Claas.
“MacAllister has been a fantastic partner of ours for decades,” said Eric Raby, SVP—Americas, in a statement. “After a number of discussions, we made the mutual decision to enhance coverage in Indiana and add the CLAAS FARMPOINT solution in a manner that would grow the parts and service support to the existing customer base in Indiana.”
Bobcat North Texas moved its service trucks out of dealerships and cut response times by 30%. Read more: How Bobcat North Texas manages customer maintenance.
Said Doug Clark, EVP of operations for MacAllister, in a statement:
“After much consideration, MacAllister has decided to transition to a new concept for the harvesting business in Indiana that now includes CLAAS FARMPOINT. We’ve partnered with CLAAS for many years and will continue to do so to ensure superior continuity of service by giving customers a choice that provides the best solution.”
In an interview with Farm Equipment, Frangella said the physical dealerships will serve as service centers next to Interstates with technicians located within an hour drive of most customers. The technicians will be based out of their homes, and parts will be delivered by “parts runners.”
