HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1997-03-26, Page 48Yqge �, _ !Progress 'g,
Progressive markets rotary mowers worldwide
Progressive Turf
Equipment Inc., located at
137 West William Street in
Seaforth, is owned by
Luke and Bonnie
Janmaat.The presentsoper-
ation is the result of an
opportunity that chal-
lenged Luke in the sum-
mer of 1989. Having
owned Luke's Machine
Shop Ltd. since 1977, he
seized the chance to be a
part of the production of a
wide cut, multi -deck
rotary mower that would
meet the requirements of
the Turf Sod Producer. in
1990 the first pull -behind
rotary finishing mower
'offering a 22 ft. wide cut,
was introduced. and
Luke's Machine Shop Ltd.
became Progressive Turf
Equipment Inc.
Progressive is a manu-
facturer of -tractor -drawn
rotary finishing mowers in
. cutting widths from 77
inches to 22 feet for sod
farms, golf courses, parks,
and general lawn care
markets. The Janmaats
currently employ Andy
Kuipers, Dave McKenzie,
Brian Guichelaar, Jim
'Poppe, Dwayne Brindley,
Soott Adkin, Ron Mason 1
and Ray Winoski. Loon
Zhcng is spending four
months with them as a co-
op student from the
University of Waterloo.
Luke feels he can sur-
vive in today's economy
by continuing to produce a
product that is simple to
maintain, operate, and that
produces quality results.
"We provide service to our
customers .when ever it is
- required without delay.
We have a parts ware-
house in the United States
which provides faster and
- cheaper shipping to aur
U.S. customers. We've
also installed a watts line
for our customers to pro-
vide them with a free
direct line so they can
make inquiries, get advice,
and place orders."
This commitment to the
Turf mowing markets has
resulted in a steady growth
of a solid dealer base in
the U.S. andCanada, and •
modest product penetra-
tion in several European
countries.
'Our customers are world-
wide - doing business
from Seaforth has not been
a problem, since shipping
Progressive Tuff Equipment Inc. is Located at 137 West William St.
will always be needed
wherever we are located."
-The future continues to
offer challenges as the
-competitive arena widens
and the demand for prod-
uct improvements and
new, efficient ways of
maintaining turf are ever
present and increasing.
The commitment required
to meet these challenges is
held by all Progressive
employees to serve the
Turf lawn -care industry
Top Performer in
any fwd.
..Parks..Golf Courses..Sod Farms..
,Shown:
15.9 ft. Rotary Finishing Mower
12' and 22' :models available
Call us for the Progressive Dealer •
nearest you.
137 West William St., Seaforth, Ontario Canada NOK IWO
(519)527-1080
Service Info -line 800-6684873
Fax (519)527-2275
not only now, but for the
years ahead.
"We have just completed
a major expansion to the
original building," Luke
says. "This -will give the
facility approximately
45,000 sq. ft. It will be
used for a production area
as well as R&D area and
for storage."
Future plans are to
increase sales in areas not
presently covered by the -
dealer network.
Additional market penetra-
tion to new countries has
recently- included South
Africa. Israel; and
Australia, with inquiries
coming also from South
America and the
Mediterranean. The
largestimarkets remain the
United States, United
Kingdom. and Canada.
Progressive Turf
Equiptnent Inc. is pleased
with their clients positive
comments, repeat purchas-
es, and good references to
potential customers.
Customers are happy with
the service Progressive
provides, and the speed
with which they deliver
the product.
"We listen to our cus-
tomers - they know what
they need in- dicer industry.,
and we try to provide them
with a product that deliv-
ers the best cut available
for a -reasonable puce, and
that is easy 10 maintain
-and service. If there is a
.problem wc try to rectify it
quickly and..keep the cus-
tomer satisfied. We are
here to answer any ques-
tions and address any con-
cerns."
The company builds
their products to last, with
some of their 1D92 Units
from 1990 gill in opera-
tion. One machine has
over 11,000 hours of use
on it and is"stili going
strong.
"Our goal is to provide
the best possible'prodact
required and still remain
competitive in the market
place, with the end-user
realizing the value cif his
purchase."
Weeklyfood -specials at Sizzlers
here to ide for you in
CONTINUED from page 10
quality sound system. The
restaurant duns daily and
weekly specials such as
"All You Can Eat" "Kids -
Eat Free" and "Seniors
Night.".
Full-time employees are:
Jacqueline Roth, head
cook; Louise Dick and -
Tracie Carter, waitresses.
Part-time staff include
cook Lisa Samons, wait-
resses Angie Jervis and '
Marnie Hoggarth. and
kitchen assistants Bob
Dixon. and Charlynn
Brown.
Future plans include pos-
sibly expanding into 7
Main Street with the din-
ing area being accessed prose
from the main street, pet- the'future,"
haps adding a sports bar in - The Gagniers appreciate
one rear of the building to - the compliments they
complement the existing _
pub. -dining area and rear
' entrance.
Julie enjoys Seaforth's
small town atmosphere,
saying "The familiarity of
a small town brings the
customers and merchants
closer together. As opera-
tors of a small restaurant
we employ friendly. local _
staff to ensure your time
spent with us will be •
enjoyable as welt as ful-
filling. We don't look at
our business as a job but
as a service, and we're
receive from their cus-
tomers. "I have been told
we have•good food and
lots or it. Our patrons say
we should be full wall to
wall all the time -because
of the quality of our food.
We've appreciated
Seaforth's support in our
start-up season of our
restaurant and look for-
ward to serving them in
the future."
"Let The Good limes
Roll!"
Full complement of fabric samples
CONTINUED from page 24
House of Pride, Seaforth
Sewing Centre is now tak-
ing custom orders for
draperies. They are also
bringing in a full complc-
ment of fabric samples.
lining, and workroom sup-
plies for the do-it-yourself
decorator. Liz is also
•
working with Dennis and
Joanne Yule to sell Pfaff
sewing machines and se, rg=
ers.
"1 enjoy doing business
in Seaforth very much," •
Lit comments. "the draw
of the big city will always
be there bet wc try to give
out customers the service
and attention they need.
Business is much more
friendly and personal in
Seaforth." She would like
to invite Seaforth locals to
. "Just come in and look
around. We are always
available to provide assis-
tance and are happy to
help you with all your
sewing needs.