Surrounded by hay fields, the newest addition to the Agri-Service network in Idaho, Utah, Washington and Oregon has opened its doors at 535 W., 100 N. off Highway 26 west of Blackfoot.
The 25,000-square-foot facility will be home to 24/7 service in the field or at the shop for a variety of farm equipment, from Massey Ferguson and Challenger tractors to hay equipment by Hesston and combines by Gleaner.
These products, produced and distributed by AGCO, dominate the offerings at the new Agri-Service center in Bingham County. But the company also offers equipment manufactured by Kubota and Gehl. Agri-Service has also been the largest seller of Darf rakes made by Nikkel Iron Works, and for rakes and equipment produced by LMC Corporation.
Rob Fisher, Blackfoot sales manager for Agri-Service, said the construction of the new facility near Blackfoot shows the company’s commitment to farmers in Southeast Idaho. Agri-Service already had facilities in Sugar City and Terreton, Idaho, as well as locations in Northern Utah, Nevada, western Idaho and eastern Oregon.
“Agri-Service is constantly striving to provide the ultimate customer service,” Fisher said.
Prior to the opening of the Blackfoot facility, the company provided service and sales to American Falls, Blackfoot and other parts of Southeast Idaho, but providing service required more travel.
Agri-Service is the largest Massey-Ferguson dealership in North America. The company was founded in 1990 in Twin Falls by Cleve Buttars. By 2010, the company had expanded into Oregon and Utah, and began negotiations with AGCO to develop and plan for Idaho, Utah, Oregon and Washington.
According to the Agri-Service website, this led to negotiations with the Terteling Company, which owns Western States CAT, about acquiring that company. The owner of Agri-Service now owns Western States, and Western States no longer carries agricultural equipment.
Agri-Service has been honored as the largest dealership in North America for AGCO Corporation for the past 13 years.
Fisher said the company decided to centralize operations in Bingham County to serve farmers in Southeast Idaho, particularly the American Falls, Aberdeen and Blackfoot-Shelley areas.
“We were already servicing a bunch of equipment,” Fisher said. “Ultimately, to maintain sales, you have to have service.”
Multiple bays at the Blackfoot facility combined with on-call mobile service capability should provide that high level of expected service.
The company in Blackfoot employs 16 people and among them is salesman and Idaho Sen. Steve Bair, R-Blackfoot.
Fisher said the big draw for the new Blackfoot location is the convenience to area farmers.
“They’re very excited to get their products and services in a timely manner,” Fisher said. “They’re happy to see the size of this commitment.”
Fisher said he’s hoping the new facility and the convenience it offers to farmers in Southeast Idaho will draw customers to the new Blackfoot location.
“Right now we’re just trying to find our stride,” he said.