Published 7:00 am Thursday, January 4, 2024
Kubota recently celebrated the grand opening of a brand new, 700,000-square-foot facility in Elk Grove, Calif., just south of Sacramento. This replaces Kubota’s Lodi, Calif., facility.
“This large investment in infrastructure will greatly boost our ability to stock parts and whole goods, but also increase our final assembly ability, allowing us to better service the 11 Western States,” said Brad Wilcox, regional sales manager over 18 dealerships across Oregon and southwest Washington. “The cross-dock design and additional docks will greatly improve our receiving and shipping efficiency.”
One of the more exciting changes this brings is a much-improved, state-of-the-art training facility for administering Kubota’s regionwide certified tech program.
“In the past, some of our dealers have had to send people to our facilities in Texas, Kansas or elsewhere for certain types of training,” Wilcox said. “This will keep the travel and expenses more manageable for our dealers.”
They have doubled the size of the classrooms and shops and are providing instruction in electronics, hydraulic systems, engines and transmissions. Kubota is also partnering with Chemeketa Community College’s diesel tech program in Brooks, Ore.
Such a comprehensive education program also provides skilled, motivated individuals with plenty of opportunities to move up.
“We’ve had many people who have been mechanics for 25-30 years move into sales, parts and management positions,” Wilcox said, “and we’re always looking for mechanics.”
Not only is it a good time to get into mechanical work; it’s also a prime time to buy.
“During the COVID years, dealership inventory was very low due to the increased demand and low production, creating a seller’s market,” Wilcox said. “Times have changed. Dealers are even overstocked and the prices are very competitive.
“Kubota has remained very competitive with pricing and finance options,” Wilcox said. “With inventory levels high we are now in a buyer’s market.”
Visitors to the 2024 Northwest Ag Show will have the opportunity to check out some of Kubota’s newest models, including the L4802DTN, an affordable narrow 48 horsepower tractor with a folding mid-mount ROPS (rollover protection system) designed for the grape, berry and orchard industries.
The affordable compact tractor also has a comprehensive offering of attachments.
With a width of just 39.4 inches, this tractor can easily maneuver through the narrow rows seen particularly in the grape, nursery and berry industries, making it ideal for spraying, mowing and towing.
“This is a big brother to our B2401DTN tractor,” Wilcox said. “We had the LX3520DTN prototype tractor in Oregon for a while, and it is exciting to be able to show the full production model.
“We plan to mix it up in our booth this year and show more implements on the tractors as they would be used in the field,” Wilcox said. “We think this will help paint a better picture for the attendees.”
The Kubota team is excited for the 2024 Northwest Ag Show and what it has to offer, inviting visitors to stop by to see their latest models and to learn more about its comprehensive, state-of-the-art training programs.
