Rising out of the ashes to remain Young at heart. ([e-mail]).

In was late May, three years ago, in the midst of his busy season as Tim Young worked late in the office of his Case IH farm equipment dealership on Highway 1, east of Regina. He was putting the finishing touches on a business plan to acquire the Case dealership in Moose Jaw when he heard an explosion in the back shop. He headed to the back of the building to find the shop engulfed in flames.

His discovery was the beginning of a journey that ended on a podium in front of Regina's business community last month.

Although the fire investigation was inconclusive, it's suspected that a faulty wiring harness on a vehicle stored in the shop triggered the explosion and blaze that ultimately leveled the building. Fortunately, it happened after hours so no one was hurt. But it did threaten the business, notching up the challenges already inherent in supplying the equipment and service to the grain-farming sector.

Young decided to mount an aggressive counter attack, determined to turn a bad situation into an opportunity.

Within 72 hours, the company was working out of a trailer and two days after that occupied a neighboring building, ensuring the Young's team could meet customers' needs without interruption.

"Actually we had mechanics on the road in the morning (after the fire). They used their own tools from home because they knew that's what they had to do that day," Young says in praising the commitment of his employees. But he also found others in the business community wanted him to carry on without missing a beat.

Gary Redhead of Redhead Equipment provided several service bays at no charge "until we got our shop tools replaced and were up and running. We continued to pick up customer units and dropped them off at Redhead's," recalls Young. Another Case dealer also extended a hand. Having just ordered a new computer system, he diverted it to Young's temporary dealership.

For Young, the fire was a challenge but not the showstopper many expected to be the end of Young's Equipment. Even the Moose Jaw Case dealer figured Young's offer to buy his franchise would be withdrawn.

"That was never a consideration. They were really surprised we went through with it. They thought it (the fire) was too much of an uphill battle," Young adds. "There were people who assumed this is a great thing. Now he can take the insurance money and get out of this industry. We said it's just not going to stop us."

His counter attack actually began before the fire. Young sings the praises of the insurance coverage he put in place. It did a couple things -- it provided for the replacement of the building but it also ensured he could keep his team together.

"I can't tell you how many customers told us, if you're able to plan and handle this kind of disaster, we want you to handle our needs."

"The difference in business is -- how do you handle adversity?" Young continues. "Out of the ashes we rose even better."

The building lost in the fire covered 39,000 square feet. The one he built to replace it was 67,000 square feet.

Young decided to erect a state-of-the-art facility. He looked at 18 other dealerships, seeking ideas that could be incorporated into his new complex.

"The Case dealer in Yuma, Arizona had built one three years earlier. He said, come down for a day and I'll tell you what I like and what I don't like about my new building. He gave me a full set of plans and sent me home."

Young's new complex on Regina's eastern outskirts incorporated the best features he could find, including meeting rooms for training and a huge sprinkler system.

"It was our long-term commitment to the future of agriculture," Young reflects. The replacement insurance covered the equivalent of 39,000 square feet. He invested in the additional space, a second branch in Moose Jaw and a new sprayer line.

Young's instincts were on the mark.

In the year after the fire, Young's Equipment's revenues increased by 10 per cent in Regina and Moose Jaw. Sales grew a further 25 per cent in 2001 and another 27 per cent last year.

"Thankfully we've got some extra space. We never would have been able to accommodate the new business without it," he chuckles in noting the irony of a fire setting the stage for rapid growth when many figured it would spell the end of the business. He got the last laugh a few weeks ago when Young's Equipment was declared Business of the Year at the Regina Chamber's Paragon Awards presentation.

It capped off a remarkable story of perseverance and willingness to stare down adversity while finding opportunities in the midst of uncertainty.

"It (the award) was a tremendous validation of what our staff has been able to accomplish. Handling adversity, handling a new dealership in Moose Jaw, taking on a sprayer franchise. The amount of change we have been through is exponential"

"What we've really done is grow our base business and added supplemental lines based on our core competency."

Contact

Tim Young

General Manager

Young's Equipment Limited

[phone]