NASHVILLE – Equipment dealers are struggling to hire and retain qualified technicians, which presents complications for their parts and services business.
“Human capital” is the No. 1 obstacle agricultural equipment dealer H&R Agri-Power is working to overcome, President Steve Hunt said at Equipment Finance Connect 2024.
“We can’t find the technicians, the young men who want to go out and work on these tractors,” Hunt said during a fireside chat at the conference. “There’s just not many young men that have interest in [that].”
Hunt characterized the hiring challenges as “my biggest worry – where are we going to find the people?” He said that Hopkinsville, Ky.-based H&R Agri-Power doesn’t have a full-time recruiter on staff but added “that’s probably an investment we’ll make.”
Shortages of technicians for commercial and industrial auto have persisted for at least the last two years, in part because there are fewer graduates from repair technician programs. Technician staffing was a top-of-mind issue for fleet managers, according to a January survey of more than 400 companies by the American Trucking Association’s Technology and Maintenance Council.
H&R Agri-Power operates in 21 locations and primarily focuses on regional sales alongside parts and service. The company reported April 23 that it generated $45 million in monthly sales across its network of 80 suppliers.
H&R Agri-Power isn’t alone in facing a shortage of technicians, Hunt said, noting that he’s spoken to other industry executives who have reported similar challenges.
“Our industry is struggling, as well as the car and the truck industry,” he said. Finding “anyone who needs the tech to turn wrenches and have diagnostic ability is an issue.”
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