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Most may assume it has
something to do with the farm or yard because of the multitude of
large equipment, lawn tractors, and mowers sitting outside.
AHW LLC is much more than
that. “Always Here When,” is the slogan that this three-family
organization uses to describe their dedication to the farming
community as well as small business owners and individuals needing
lawn equipment and is much larger than just a John Deere Dealership.
You Tube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjm4S30ltKg
The heritage of this company begins with Arends Brothers in 1932.
Hogan Implement and Walker Sales were both founded in 1973. All
three companies, with family farming backgrounds, merged together to
become today’s AHW. AHW has nineteen dealerships that span from
southern Wisconsin to western Indiana and Illinois. AHW in New
Holland operates in Logan, Menard, Mason, and McLean Counties.
AHW purchased Cross Brothers
in Mt. Pulaski and J.R. Heath’s Implement store in Monticello and
remodeled stores in Clinton and New Holland.
With the remodel and expansion completion in New Holland in February
2021, it gave the front entrance a new facelift, added offices,
enlarged, and updated the interior showroom, added a new conference
room, and added a larger breakroom for the employees.
To cater to those future young farmers of Logan County, they built
new public men's and women's restrooms with baby changing stations
in each one.
And for those collectors of
toy tractors, trucks, and combines, or John Deere signs, cups, or
hats, there is plenty to choose from at the front desk.
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The main building has a parts
department that has two levels, and the old shop area is designated
for lawn and garden repairs with a warehouse for receiving parts.
The newer, larger shop has
heated floors and a capacity for up to 13 combines. Behind the main
facility is a wash bay with two full-time employees washing, shining
up, and doing paint touch-ups on every piece of equipment that comes
in.
New Holland AHW currently has twenty-three employees.
AHW is embracing technology and is sharing that knowledge with the
local farmers by way of new product demonstrations by taking new
inventory to groups of farmers, demonstrating in their fields, and
letting them run that machinery to harvest their own crops. This
shows what the future may look like with machine performance, new
technology, and cost and time savings.
Just last year, three miles from the AHW facility in New Holland,
John Deere demonstrated a driverless tractor.
Approximately eight John Deere
employees monitored this tractor via computers in the same field
while sending information to analysts in California. With the
difficulty of securing seasonal help, autonomous technology could
make a difference on the farm. Technology is ever-changing, and one
thing is certain, it is not going away. Autonomous vehicles are a
thing of the future, even for the farmers of Logan County. Whether
old or young, small farms or big farms, with red or green equipment
the changes and advancements of technology need to be embraced,
communicated, and taught, so as to not fall behind in this
constantly changing concept.
In addition to the fun,
carefree atmosphere of the office staff at AHW in New Holland, there
is a real sense of community support and presence. The AHW staff
will give tours of the facility when requested by organizations such
as Cub Scouts and 4H students and sponsor FFA chapters during the
fairs in all four counties.
For kids interested in a career in agriculture mechanics, AHW
partners with Lakeland Community College in Mattoon. In this
two-year associate degree program they will have hands-on training
and during the winter, spring, and summer breaks, they work with the
sponsoring AHW dealership as part of the class curriculum. The hope
is that the student returns as a full-time employee after receiving
their degree. Upon completion and with the passing of the John Deere
certification exam, AHW will pay 100% of the college fees, minus the
room and board charges plus five thousand dollars toward the
purchase of start-up tools for each student.
AHW LLC is here for its customers and is here to stay in New
Holland. The corporate office is not sitting still and wants to keep
growing and expanding and supports ownership and service of large
farm and garden equipment. With the investment in the facility,
keeping the staff educated with new equipment and technology, the
staff in the office, service department, parts area, and sales staff
have dedicated themselves to each other, the company, the industry,
and the community.
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