Working in a global team of innovators creating the future of electronics is a dream job for me. To put frosting on my cake, I made a visit to RDO Equipment just off the Interstate in Moorhead, Minn. There’s nothing quite so invigorating as standing in a herd of ag implements with tires taller than me.
My host, Fred Hudson, directs marketing for RDO and he grins from ear-to-ear as he
dives into his agricultural roots with me. We swapped stories of tractor-collecting patriarchs from our family-farming heritages. A couple of branding geeks, we shared our awe of the fanatical fan base of the John Deere logo.
Headquartered in Fargo, North Dakota, RDO Equipment Company has more than 50 locations in 9 U.S. states and employs more than 1,500 people. Founder and Chairman Ron Offutt started with one store in Casselton and grew it into a premier John Deere dealership empire.
I was in the audience last September when Mr. Offutt received The Chamber’s Legacy Leader Award AND the North Dakota Governor’s RoughRider Award.
Today, RDO is the largest network of John Deere construction and agricultural equipment dealerships in the United States and is also a backbone of our local farming community.
Fred gave me a tour of the RDO dealership in Moorhead, which is on the site of one of Mr. Offutt’s first potato farms. He also took me through their treasure of a retail store, a brand fan’s dream. We hope to work together to bring some of the massive machinery from RDO onsite at our facilities so the whole team can see the amazing machines they work so hard on.
Love the john Deere tractor, by the way thats my back with the john Deere tattoo
Greetz from a very big fan from holland
Yahoo! Thanks for the note! That is one impressive display of body art, I must say. It’s a privelege to work for such a beloved brand. So nice to hear from you – cheers!!
Catching with about 6 months of the blog tonight………super reading, I learned a lot.