News

Equipment dealer says parts & equipment supply chain issues are serious, world-wide

A Wisconsin ag equipment dealer says parts and new equipment are much more difficult to get this year.

Kevin Sommer is part of the ownership group with Service Motor Company, which operates six Case IH, Case Construction, Kubota, Claas, and Kinze dealerships in eastern and central Wisconsin.  Sommer says it’s not as easy to get machinery and parts now compared to early last fall. “We’re just seeing extreme difficulties to be able to get parts, get components to be able to keep those machines running, and it’s not just us. It’s our competitors, and it’s a lot of other brands that are out there that are all experiencing the same thing right now.”

Sommer says the supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID pandemic are being experienced everywhere. “It is all over the world, and our parts come from all over the world, and our machines come from all over the world, so yes, it is definitely a global problem that we’re experiencing right now.”

Sommer says they are trying to carry more inventory when they can get it to help keep farmers rolling during planting season. “We’re doing everything that we can, but all I can ask is that everyone’s got to plan ahead and be patient, and it’s not just a one-problem or one-brand thing, this is kind of an everybody problem right now.”

Sommer tells Brownfield finding parts for the older tractors is the biggest challenge right now.  He says many manufacturing facilities are running at 50% of capacity, and some are shut down because components are not available.