"Where Fillmore County News Comes First"
Online Edition
Saturday, May 25th, 2013
Volume ∞ Issue ∞
- 11:44:26, May 21st 2013 - airmaxs52274 - Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just your a ... [Read More]
- 5:56:33, May 18th 2013 - modgudur - I guess the child is anti-gun control since Obama went to all that trouble ... [Read More]
- 9:27:41, May 16th 2013 - caal girl - Nice outfit on you. I loved some of the dresses but am holding my breath ... [Read More]
- 2:03:34, May 14th 2013 - - Thanks for sharing the trip with us! ... [Read More]
- 4:12:01, May 9th 2013 - Amanda Ziebell - Wow! Thanks to the Fillmore County Journal for this kind story. For a ... [Read More]
- 11:47:30, May 7th 2013 - EW - ramble.....ramble.....ramble..... ... [Read More]
- 10:25:25, May 7th 2013 - Thunder6 - Great article! I love to see the Youth of Fillmore County receiveing acco ... [Read More]
- 6:52:10, May 6th 2013 - Jason Sethre, Publisher of Fillmore County Journal & Olmsted County Journal - Maryh, ... [Read More]
- 7:29:56, May 5th 2013 - maryh - Where are OCJ's available for pickup...other than at the new office? ... [Read More]
- 2:41:47, May 3rd 2013 - Remark1976 - Mrs. Buckbee, I just looked up Senate File 796 and in it there are said p ... [Read More]
Hammell Equipment, a success story
Fri, Jan 25th, 2013
Posted in All Features
Posted in All Features
Comments
Linus and Bernie Hammell took a leap of faith and decided to establish a business in Chatfield in 1976. The two brothers grew up on a farm in New Albin, Iowa, and were two of eight children, six boys and two girls. Having worked in construction out west for about ten years, Linus recalled receiving a call from Bernie one day asking him if he would be interested in starting the business. Bernie was living in the area and had gone to school to be a mechanic.
The brothers started the dealership where the Chatfield Body Shop is now located. Linus remarked, “It has worked out well so far.” About four years later the brothers purchased around twelve acres of land from the school district. This is where the Chatfield store is now located along Highway 52 just north of the city limits of Chatfield.
Over the years the brothers expanded their business to stores in Rushford, Harmony, and Eitzen. Linus explained that part of the reasoning behind the expansion to four stores is the shrinking number of farmers. Because of the reduction in the number of farmers, the growth into other communities allows them to bring more people into their stores. He estimated that there is only one farm customer today where there had been ten in 1976. Over this period there has been a dramatic change in the size of farms and the number of acres worked by one operator.
Linus acknowledged that the brands and equipment available in one store may not be available at all of their stores. The dealership sells and services Case IH, Kinze, AGCO, Artic Cat, Stihl, Meyer, Cub Cadet, Simplicity, and many more brand names. They also sell toys and clothing. Equipment like four wheelers are purchased in about equal numbers by the town’s people and farmers.
Business has been good and Linus is optimistic that it will continue to be good over the next couple years. They recently built a large new building at the Chatfield location which is used for set up of new equipment and for maintenance. The four stores employ 30 to 40 people, including their four brothers.
Linus expects the high land rents to have an effect on machinery sales. Asked if they lease equipment, he said they mainly sell equipment. He recalled that during the early 1980s when interest rates were very high it was a tough time for many farmers. They were forced to repossess a number of combines and it was a tough time for their business as well.
He expects they will expand one of the other stores in the coming year.
Linus wanted to thank all the people that they have done business with over the years. Their support is appreciated, as “that is what keeps us going.”
The brothers started the dealership where the Chatfield Body Shop is now located. Linus remarked, “It has worked out well so far.” About four years later the brothers purchased around twelve acres of land from the school district. This is where the Chatfield store is now located along Highway 52 just north of the city limits of Chatfield.
Over the years the brothers expanded their business to stores in Rushford, Harmony, and Eitzen. Linus explained that part of the reasoning behind the expansion to four stores is the shrinking number of farmers. Because of the reduction in the number of farmers, the growth into other communities allows them to bring more people into their stores. He estimated that there is only one farm customer today where there had been ten in 1976. Over this period there has been a dramatic change in the size of farms and the number of acres worked by one operator.
Linus acknowledged that the brands and equipment available in one store may not be available at all of their stores. The dealership sells and services Case IH, Kinze, AGCO, Artic Cat, Stihl, Meyer, Cub Cadet, Simplicity, and many more brand names. They also sell toys and clothing. Equipment like four wheelers are purchased in about equal numbers by the town’s people and farmers.
Business has been good and Linus is optimistic that it will continue to be good over the next couple years. They recently built a large new building at the Chatfield location which is used for set up of new equipment and for maintenance. The four stores employ 30 to 40 people, including their four brothers.
Linus expects the high land rents to have an effect on machinery sales. Asked if they lease equipment, he said they mainly sell equipment. He recalled that during the early 1980s when interest rates were very high it was a tough time for many farmers. They were forced to repossess a number of combines and it was a tough time for their business as well.
He expects they will expand one of the other stores in the coming year.
Linus wanted to thank all the people that they have done business with over the years. Their support is appreciated, as “that is what keeps us going.”
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