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At the Board of Directors meeting in June, we dedicated a portion of our time to discussing which of the Association’s services to members we most value and how the Association might expand what it offers.

I don’t want to speak prematurely about what may be offered, but directors and Association staff are pursuing services that will add value for member companies. I’m excited to see what takes shape.

We also discussed at the meeting that perhaps members are not fully aware of what membership offers or have not optimized use of benefits. I would like to use this space to tell you which services I find most valuable.

First, the website. If you haven’t visited FarmEquip.org recently, it has a new look! The home page is more dynamic. Navigation is more intuitive. And, the industry resources are unmatched because they focus on the needs of shortline manufacturers. The membership directory also looks different. I have transitioned almost entirely from the printed directory to the online directory because I find it to be faster and more convenient.

Another service I often use is the state statute section on the website, which offers, among other things, buyback and warranty laws from throughout the U.S. That, coupled with the exceptional opportunity for no-cost consultations with a distribution attorney, bring to an unparalleled level the resources the Association offers on distribution law.

Another benefit that cannot be overstated is the result in large part of members’ loyalty and longevity. The Association has become an influential voice in the machinery manufacturing industry, and it is the only player in the U.S. that exclusively advocates on behalf of shortline interests. Because of savvy leadership at the Association, and because of the strength we have in numbers, we are represented in discussions among lawmakers, for example, regulators, and standards writers. This is why membership matters, and it is why I encourage you to prioritize membership in this Association.

I also encourage you to explore what’s available to members. See a complete roster of services at FarmEquip.org.

If you have suggestions for adding value to membership, please get in touch. You can reach me at President@FarmEquip.org. You are also invited to call me. If you’re not yet acquainted with the online directory, this is the perfect opportunity to check it out. You can find my phone number there. The staff is also ready to hear your suggestions. Call the Association office at (314) 878-2304.

I cannot conclude this column without saying that in my experience of the Association, at the top of the list of benefits are the relationships I’ve formed. These are professional and personal friendships that are irreplaceable. The differences these friends and colleagues have made in my career cannot be captured on paper.

Join us in St. Louis in November to connect, reconnect, and get a sense of the power of the shortline industry network.

Nick Jensen
Association President
njensen@thurstonmfgco.com