How does it feel to be a part of a family business that was originally established in 1959? Just ask Jaret Nelson, Partner of Nelson Motors and Equipment, which recently re-opened a shiny, new Estevan location. The 38,000-square foot space is one of five stores Nelson owns in Saskatchewan providing to grain farmers as well as lawn & garden consumers, and the exciting launch was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and banquet attended by 350 attendees, local MLA, RM Reeve and John Deere representatives.
Walter and Doreen Nelson, purchased the original business, Armstrong Motors, in 1959, selling John Deere farm equipment and General Motors vehicles from a location on Main Street in downtown Avonlea. In 1969, Jaret’s father Gary Nelson joined the business. Nelson Motors & Equipment was formed and it quickly grew and expanded over the years and ownership expanded to include other family members.
Nelson Motors and Equipment has become known for its small-town approach to business and its commitment to customer service and satisfaction. Over the years, it has received numerous accolades from the parent company, John Deere: the company was named to the John Deere President’s Club in 1983 and 1996, hit the number one spot in combines sales for Canada in 1987 and were inducted to the Managers club in 2004, 2005 and 2008. Estevan Mercury readers also voted it Best in Service and Best in Sales.
It’s that same commitment to customer service that has made the Estevan location a success. Nelson Motors & Equipment purchased the Estevan location in 2007 after seeing “so much potential for a business with such strong family practices and farmers in the area,” Jaret explains. Since opening the new store in early 2018, which replaces John Deere’s previous Estevan store in the same spot, Nelson says business has picked up. “We’ve been getting tremendous feedback on how nice the new building is and how great it is to have this new facility servicing their needs,” says Nelson, who had known for a few years that the Estevan location needed more shop, parts and office space.
When asked what Nelson loves most about his job he says: “What we like the best is working with the farmers. There’s no better people, it seems, on this earth, than farmers, and getting to know them and how their operations run and being able to provide the right products and services to fulfill their needs (is very rewarding).”
As they say, it’s all in the family. Says Nelson: “We pride ourselves with having a family atmosphere both with our customers and employees.”
