New for 2020

“Just three years after opening, in 2003, we began our partnership with CLAAS after picking up the hay tool line. Now, 17 years later, we couldn’t be more excited to expand our business even further with the premium brand of CLAAS products,” says Gary Klyn, founder of GJ’s Farm Equipment, now GJ’s Harvest Centre Inc. “With the expansion brings a new name change, which will better represent us as a focused dealer for CLAAS. CLAAS is a world-class company committed to expanding their business in southwest Ontario and we are thrilled to grow with them.”

GJ’s began as a repair shop in 2000 by Gary and his wife, Corrie. Since then, their customer commitment has expanded to include the sale of new and used equipment as well as exceptional parts and service departments. The facility’s expansion will allow them to continue providing top-of-the-line, dependable equipment for their current and future customer base.

“GJ’s Harvest Centre Inc. represents what it means to be a committed CLAAS dealer, and we are excited about their upcoming expansion,” said Eric Raby, President and General Manager – Sales, CLAAS of America. “The southwest Ontario region remains an important market for CLAAS, and with the new and improved facility, we are able to continue our growth and expand our brand’s reach in the area. This is a direct reflection of the hard work and relationships GJ’s has built with their growers.”

To learn more about GJ’s Harvest Centre Inc., visit the company website.

About CLAAS of America Inc.:

CLAAS of America Inc. offers a wide variety of technologically innovative tractor, combine, forage harvester, baler and hay tool products to provide growers optimum performance in the field. These premium equipment lines are designed by a dedicated engineering staff located at numerous factories worldwide and focused on the production and design of harvesting equipment. The design, performance and reliability of this equipment have made CLAAS an international market leader. For more information, visit www.claas.com.

Turnis comes to CLAAS with an extensive background in strategic business development, finance and dealer development from another leading ag manufacturer. He has successfully identified, led and rolled out effective strategic and tactical initiatives facilitating dealer growth through effective business planning, financial forecasting and change management.

In his previous role, he was responsible for creating sustainable dealer improvement by developing and fostering efficient economic approaches based on market and operational performance. He also oversaw and managed mergers and acquisitions, as well as buy-sell agreements necessary for new dealer agreements within the dealer network.

“We are very excited to welcome Mark to the CLAAS Management Team,” said President and GM – Sales Eric Raby. “He brings tremendous experience to a very important role as we continue to evolve our distribution organization and North American product range.”Mark grew up on a diversified farming and hog operation in Northeast Iowa and has a comprehensive agricultural background as well. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in sales and marketing from Iowa State University in Ames.

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Patrick Honcoop has been hired as Head of Digital Business Development at CLAAS of America and will be responsible for the oversight and business development of all CLAAS and 365FarmNet digital solutions to help drive growth at the global ag equipment company. Patrick will report to the President and General Manager – Sales, Eric Raby.

“We’re excited to have Patrick join our operations here in North America,” said Raby. “He brings a tremendous amount of experience to this new position and has an excellent understanding of the latest technologies impacting ag professionals around the world.”

Patrick first joined the Berlin-based operations at 365FarmNet in 2014, as a trainee product manager. After completing his program in 2016, he assumed the role of Product Manager/Owner-Partner Integration, leading the partner-integration Scrum Team working to build and expand 365FarmNet.

In 2018, Patrick transitioned to the role of Head of Product Partnerships, leading a partnership team of product managers, owners and developers in building new partnerships and developing existing partners such as John Deere, Kubota, HORSCH, YARA, BASF, MICHELIN, TOPCON and Uniform Agri.

Patrick holds an MSC agricultural and bioresource engineering degree as well as a BSC in agricultural engineering from Wageningen University, the Netherlands.

About CLAAS of America Inc.:

CLAAS of America Inc. offers a wide variety of technologically innovative tractor, combine, forage harvester, baler and hay tool products to provide growers optimum performance in the field. These premium equipment lines are designed by a dedicated engineering staff located at numerous factories worldwide and focused on the production and design of harvesting equipment. The design, performance and reliability of this equipment have made CLAAS an international market leader. For more information, visit www.claas.com.

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It joins four other Canada West Harvest Centre locations in Regina, Saskatoon, Swift Current and Yorkton.

“We are excited to further expand our footprint in Saskatchewan,” said Mike Malmgren, General Manager, Canada West Harvest Centre. “Providing customers with the best and most efficient service is our number one goal. Doing so in this very productive region requires an expanded physical presence in the western part of the province. The new store in Kindersley allows us to meet the needs of farmers who may have been driving to Saskatoon or Swift Current for parts and service.”

“Western Canada continues to be a pivotal market for us, and it’s great to know we have dealers in place who are leveraging the CLAAS brand’s growth and also expanding their presence to serve a broader region,” said President and General Manager – Sales, Eric Raby. “Canada West Harvest Centre continues to be a dynamic player in Saskatchewan and impress their customers. We look forward to the expansion of those same attributes into Kindersley.”

The new location will open at 204 12th Avenue West, Kindersley, SK. For more information, call 306-978-2300 or email info@cawhc.com. The location is now hiring sales, service and parts personnel. Visit cawhc.com for employment opportunities.

CLAAS of America Inc. offers a wide variety of technologically innovative tractor, combine, forage harvester, baler and hay tool products to provide growers optimum performance in the field. These premium equipment lines are designed by a dedicated engineering staff located at numerous factories worldwide and focused on the production and design of harvesting equipment. The design, performance and reliability of this equipment have made CLAAS an international market leader. For more information, visit www.claas.com.

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