WWW.POSEYCOUNTYNEWS.COM • SERVING THE COUNTY SINCE 1882 • THE POSEY COUNTY NEWS
NOVEMBER 4, 2014 • PAGE C3
Hutson aquires Wright-Stemle By Valerie Werkmeister The name on the Wright-Stemle sign may have changed, but the core values and business focus will remain the same with new owner, Hutson, Inc. The Poseyville farm implement store was acquired in early October, by Kentucky-based authorized John Deere dealer. Wright Stemle locations in Jasper, Evansville and Washington will also take on the Hutson, Inc. name. The farm implement store has changed its name a few times off the long years. Brian and John Wright along with Randy and Tama Stemle have owned the business since 2010. Prior to that, the business was owned by Gary Reynolds and Randy Stemle from 2006 to 2010 under the name Stone and Stemle. Dur- ing this time, it also moved from the corner of Highway 165 and Fletchall Street to its current location near I-64. Randy Stemle will continue to serve as a sales manager for the Indiana stores. Steve and Jackie Bender were the longest owners, from 1974 to 2006, and operated under the name of Poseyville Farm Sales. Jackie recalled she and her husband purchased the business in 1974, known only as Farmer’s Equipment, from Edgar Kuhlenschmidt and Norris Reynolds. The Poseyville store has approximately 25 employees
and Nathan Brines serves as the store lead or manager. “We are looking forward to continuing our success and working with Hutson,” Brines said. According to Hutson Marketing Assistant, Melissa Collins, Hutson plans to retain all of the current employees. “We plan on going with the same team members. The know the customers and know They the store,” Collins said. Hutson also plans to offer the same brands its customers have come to know and trust- John De Deere, Honda and Stihl. They will continue to sell residential lawn and garden equipment, Ag management solutions, crop management services and large Ag equipment. Collins explained the company is very committed to serving its customers and will continue to offer superior service as well as an increased inventory for parts and equipment. As one of the largest John Deere dealer organizations in North America, Hutson will be able to offer better finance options for previous Wright Stemle customers. “We’ll still be in the same location and we will continue with our focus on customer service, but with better options. One of the new finance options is zero percent financing on select inventory. That is something Wright Stemle never offered before,” Collins said. Hutson, Inc., has store locations in four states with seven in Kentucky, one in Tennessee, and one in South-
ern Illinois. The company has been in operation since 1928 when it began as a farming mercantile business. In 1990, it acquired its first John Deere dealership in Mayfield, Ky. The business was family-owned by the Hutsons until 2008. The new owners retained the Hutson name for the business as its customers came to know the company as an agricultural leader by providing innovative products and services. While Hutson attributes its success on its dedicated and knowledgeable employees, they are also committed to serving the customers’ needs. They offer advanced technology products, diagnostic tools and service equipment to keep in line with the company motto – “Lets Grow Together.” A statement on the company’s website explains this concept in detail. “This statement embodies the combined commitment, from the company for growth of facilities and products, and the employee’s growth in knowledge and service, to best meet the customer’s needs as their operations grow and evolve.” As the company looks to the future, it strives to provide the best support possible for its customers, employees and the community. In a recent press release, Barry Carson, President of Hutson stated, “During the next few months customers can expect to see a focus on upholding our core values. Trust, commitment, integrity, reliability and customer focus are not just words to us; they are the standards we represent.”
ISP encourages drivers to ‘share the road’ As farmers begin to harvest their crops, drivers can expect to see large farm equipment traveling on the roads, increasing the chance for accidents between machinery and motor vehicles. The Indiana State Police recently released safety tips for motorists to keep in mind when driving this fall: The fall harvest season is upon us and drivers can expect to see large farm implements traveling on the roads. Farm implements need additional roadway space, so be prepared to slow down, pull to the side or stop. Drivers in rural areas must remain alert to the possibility of encountering slow moving farm machines and be prepared to slow or stop to avoid a rear-end collision or striking a farm machine that is turning into a field or driveway. Tips for Farmers and Rural Drivers: • Farm machinery can unexpectedly turn onto a public road from a field or driveway. It is important for everyone’s safety to have patience
and share the road. • Farm machinery travels slower than normal traffic, often at speeds of 25 miles per hour or less. Automobile drivers must quickly identify farm equipment and slow down immediately to avoid rear-end crashes. • Slow moving farm machinery traveling at less than 25 miles per hour are required to display a slow moving vehicle emblem on the back of the equipment. This is a quickly identifiable sign to other motorists. All lighting should be working properly and be highly visible. • Slow moving vehicles are required to pull off to the right when three or more vehicles are blocked and cannot pass on the left. • Machinery that is half on the road and half on the shoulder may suddenly move completely onto the road. Machinery may take up more than one lane to avoid obstacles such as road signs. Before passing farm machinery: • Check to be sure that machinery
is not turning left. Look for left turn lights or hand signals. If the machinery slows and pulls toward the right side of the road, the operator is likely preparing to make a wide left turn. Likewise, sometimes to make a right turn with wide equipment, the driver must fade to the left. • Determine if the road is wide enough for you and the machinery to safely share. • Look for roadside obstacles such as mailboxes, bridges, or road signs that may cause the machinery to move to the center of the road. • Be sure there is adequate distance for you to safely pass. During this year’s harvest season, farmers will be working hard to provide us food. Please stay alert and follow the safety tips above to help keep our rural roads safe. The Indiana State Police want this farming season to be safe for farmers and motorists sharing Indiana roadways. Please be patient and courteous to each other when driving.
COMMUNITY STATE BANK OF SOUTHWESTERN INDIANA 220 S. Lockwood, P.O. Box 280, Poseyville IN 47633 812-874-3641 • Fax 812-422-9884 Formerly known as CYNTHIANA STATE BANK
HERE’S TO OUR FARMERS!
CSB IS HERE TO HELP YOU FINANCE YOUR DREAMS! Cynthiana Office 812-845-2869
St. Wendel Office 812-963-3033
St. Philip Office 812-464-5001
Mt. Vernon Office 812-831-3555