Wolf, Kenneth

English

Texas A&M University

IL-l041
LEVELING WORKLOAD IN FARM IMPLEMENT SHOPS
Kenneth Wolf*
Fann implement repair shops have been faced
traditionally with fluctuating workloads. The slow
season of the winter months is followed by the rush
period which lasts for several months.
Operators of implement repair shops who have
tried to live with these slack and rush periods are
faced with the need for laying off mechanics or
trying to hire extras for short periods. This pat-
tern has always had many shortcomings, but in
recent years these shortcomings have become ma-
jor problems.
Skilled mechanics in the present labor market
are increasingly seeking full-time permanent jobs
which offer the fringe benefits that accompany
pennanent-type positions. Training of less-than-
skilled mechanics hired during rush periods is not
usually done effectively because of the press of
time; thus poor work by them results.
The procedure outlined in this publication has
been used successfully by some implement dealers
in leveling workloads in their shops.
Take Advantage of Slack Season
• Compile a list of individuals, in the market
area of the dealer, who own equipment of
the brands sold by him.
• At the beginning of the slack season, have a
qualified mechanic, who also has sales abil-
ity, visit each farmer on the list.
• During the visit the mechanic/salesman asks
the fanner if he has repairs that need to be
done before the next active season arrives.
He inspects the equipment with the fanner
and makes diagnoses and price estimates.
• Price quoting at this time is the big selling
point. The mechanic/salesman should make
it clear to the farmer that prices will be lower
·Extension economist-agTibusiness, Department of Agricultur-
al Economics and Rural Sociology, Texas A&M University.
10.11
if repairs can be done during the slack sea-
son because of the following reasons (point
these out explicitly):
(1) Labor costs at the shop will not include
overtime pay rates which are usually neces-
sary if work is done during rush periods;
(2) Parts can be ordered and shipped in a
more orderly manner, thus reducing long-
distance telephone charges and high-cost
methods of transportation.
• When an agreement has been reached with
the fanner, the implement field man sets a
definite date for the equipment to be either
picked-up or brought into the shop.
• The alert implement dealer will establish a
card for each person on the list. As visits
are made, infonnation is placed on the card.
As repairs are made, brief remarks are
entered on the card. This card can serve as
a real aid in deciding on future visits to that
fanner concerning repair work. Also, it will
provide new equipment salesmen meaningful
infonnation regarding farmer needs.
Benefits To Be Derived
• Owners of equipment will have it in operat-
ing condition when it is needed. Serious
breakdowns can be minimized when mechan-
ics can take the time needed to do thorough
inspecting.
• Equipment owners pay less for repair serv-
ices because they can share in savings realized
by the shop operator.
• Implement shop owners will be able to use
their mechanics better on a year-round basis.
Also, better utilization of capital invested in
shop facilities and equipment will result.
• Leads for sales of new equipment are uncov-
ered. The right type of new equipment can
benefit both the seller and the buyer.
Uni r ity 9(cultural E ion rvi e • Joh E. H tchison, Oir r
Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, Texas A&M University and the United States Department of
Agriculture cooperating. Distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8, 1914, as amended, and June 30, 1914.
5M-3-72 AECO 1


Leveling Workload in Farm Implement Shops.

Texas A&amp;M Repository

IL-l041LEVELING WORKLOAD IN FARM IMPLEMENT SHOPSKenneth Wolf*Fann implement repair shops have been facedtraditionally with fluctuating workloads. The slowseason of the winter months is followed by the rushperiod which lasts for several months.Operators of implement repair shops who havetried to live with these slack and rush periods arefaced with the need for laying off mechanics ortrying to hire extras for short periods. This pat-tern has always had many shortcomings, but inrecent years these shortcomings have become ma-jor problems.Skilled mechanics in the present labor marketare increasingly seeking full-time permanent jobswhich offer the fringe benefits that accompanypennanent-type positions. Training of less-than-skilled mechanics hired during rush periods is notusually done effectively because of the press oftime; thus poor work by them results.The procedure outlined in this publication hasbeen used successfully by some implement dealersin leveling workloads in their shops.Take Advantage of Slack Season• Compile a list of individuals, in the marketarea of the dealer, who own equipment ofthe brands sold by him.• At the beginning of the slack season, have aqualified mechanic, who also has sales abil-ity, visit each farmer on the list.• During the visit the mechanic/salesman asksthe fanner if he has repairs that need to bedone before the next active season arrives.He inspects the equipment with the fannerand makes diagnoses and price estimates.• Price quoting at this time is the big sellingpoint. The mechanic/salesman should makeit clear to the farmer that prices will be lower·Extension economist-agTibusiness, Department of Agricultur-al Economics and Rural Sociology, Texas A&M University.10.11if repairs can be done during the slack sea-son because of the following reasons (pointthese out explicitly):(1) Labor costs at the shop will not includeovertime pay rates which are usually neces-sary if work is done during rush periods;(2) Parts can be ordered and shipped in amore orderly manner, thus reducing long-distance telephone charges and high-costmethods of transportation.• When an agreement has been reached withthe fanner, the implement field man sets adefinite date for the equipment to be eitherpicked-up or brought into the shop.• The alert implement dealer will establish acard for each person on the list. As visitsare made, infonnation is placed on the card.As repairs are made, brief remarks areentered on the card. This card can serve asa real aid in deciding on future visits to thatfanner concerning repair work. Also, it willprovide new equipment salesmen meaningfulinfonnation regarding farmer needs.Benefits To Be Derived• Owners of equipment will have it in operat-ing condition when it is needed. Seriousbreakdowns can be minimized when mechan-ics can take the time needed to do thoroughinspecting.• Equipment owners pay less for repair serv-ices because they can share in savings realizedby the shop operator.• Implement shop owners will be able to usetheir mechanics better on a year-round basis.Also, better utilization of capital invested inshop facilities and equipment will result.• Leads for sales of new equipment are uncov-ered. The right type of new equipment canbenefit both the seller and the buyer.Uni r ity 9(cultural E ion rvi e • Joh E. H tchison, Oir rCooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, Texas A&M University and the United States Department ofAgriculture cooperating. Distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8, 1914, as amended, and June 30, 1914.5M-3-72 AECO 1

https://oaktrust.library.tamu.edu/bitstream/1969.1/165175/2/1041/Leaf1041.pdf

Leveling Workload in Farm Implement Shops.

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Texas A&M University

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Leveling Workload in Farm Implement Shops.

Abstract

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Full text

Available Versions

Texas A&M University

Texas A&amp;M Repository

Texas A&M Repository