Tri-County employees back row: Jim Propp, Drue Roberts, Rick Sharbono, Will McCament and Tyler Christensen. Front row: Stefanie Moen, Larry Christensen, Tami Christensen, Lee Pourroy and Taryn Sivertson. Not pictured Lane Obergfell.
Tri-County Implement celebrated its 25th year of business in Sidney, captured the Montana Family Business of the Year award and continues to expand to meet the needs of its customers.
After acquiring the majority stock, and at the urging of Case IH, Walt McNutt relocated the former H&H Implement from Choteau, Mont. to Sidney in 1988. That same year, Walt's daughter Tami and her husband Larry Christensen joined what had become Tri- County Implement. They have since purchased the majority of the company. Christensens' son Tyler recently graduated from MSU Northern with a BS in diesel technology and is also working at Tri County. He plans to eventually purchase a majority of the business which would make him the third generation owner.
During Tri-County's 25 years in Sidney, they have expanded 4 times. The most recent addition involved demolishing a 30' X 40' parts area and building a 7200 sq. ft. shop and expanded parts area with a conference room and specialty tool and parts storage upstairs. The expansion was necessary to accommodate the increased work load and the ever-larger farm equipment. The shop has 24' sidewalls and a 30' X 20' garage door. "A new combine just barely fits through it," Larry commented.
Being environmentally friendly is important to Tri-County. Erecting a second storage building in 2006 allowed them to add bulk oil and hydraulic fluid to their inventory. This helps to keep the cost down for their customers and is environmentally friendly with no oil barrels on the property. The company also heats their shop with oil burner furnaces so they can burn any used oil. They also recycle antifreeze and Freon.
Tri-County Implement continually provides training to keep their staff up to date on the latest advances in farm equipment and technology. Under the leadership of Will McCament, who has been trained on the cutting edge of GPS and AFS farming, their precision farming department has grown 150% in the last 3 years. Tri-County promoted and installed the first RTK unit in the area which gives farmers the advantage of using a satellite signal to run their pivots and their tractors. Their qualified Field IQ technician can also rate and section fields for sprayers and planters.
Employee turnover has not been a problem at Tri-County. "We have been very lucky with our key employees," Tami said. Lee Pourroy moved from Choteau to Sidney with the company 25 years ago, but has been with the company for over 36 years. Wade Roberts has been the service manager for 18 years, Jim Propp and Rick Sharbono have been service technicians for 24 and 17 years respectively.
The Tri-County family has always believed in giving back to the community and the state. McNutt just completed 16 years serving in the Montana legislature. He also serves on the Essential Air Service board, the Montana Aeronautics board, the 1st Bank board of directors, the Sidney air show committee, and is current president of the Sidney Airport Authority. He just completed 16 years on the Montana Equipment Dealers board, and is a founding member of Richland Economic Development.
Tami currently serves as president of Richland Economic Development, treasurer of the Montana Jaycee Foundation, board member for the Montana Equipment Dealers Association, president of the Sidney Cemetery Board and committee member for the PPL grant foundation. She is also an ROI Foundation board member, a Richland County Fair board member, a Montana Chamber Foundation board member and an active Kiwanian.
Larry currently serves as the fire chief for the Richland County Fire Department and has been a fireman for 14 years. He also serves on the park board and belongs to the Sidney Elks club. He is a past president of the Sidney Jaycees.
Tyler was active in hockey and Skills USA in high school and college and plans to coach, referee and play hockey now that he has returned to Sidney.
Christensens' daughter Andrea is an office assistant at Prewitt & Co. and will soon be married to Chase Prewitt.
Larry, Tami and the crew at Tri-County look forward to serving the community for a long time to come. An open house is being planned, but in the meantime visit them at 2429 W. Holly St. or call 406-488-4400.
Reader Comments(0)