As of May 1, 2013, all Flaman Rentals stores and agriculture rental dealers across the prairies will be introducing a new damage waiver fee for all of our equipment rental customers. This new fee is designed to help our customers offset the high cost of equipment repairs if they accidentally damage any rental equipment while in their possession.
By paying this small fee, our customers can now feel good knowing they have coverage for any accidental damage to tools or equipment they rent from Flaman. This coverage could save them hundreds of dollars in repairs.
It’s just one more way Flaman is helping our customers have a positive rental experience, knowing that those expensive pieces of rental equipment are covered while in their possession.
Please stop in or call your nearest Flaman rental store for full details.
Flaman Rentals in Moosomin, Yorkton and Swan River currently offer a similar fee and this will remain unchanged.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged with Flaman Rentals rental renting equipment trailers damage waiver fee protection
Posted by Adam Diakow Mar 13, 2013
We’ve been busy these past couple of weeks getting everything moved into our new home at 3377 Gershaw Drive SW. We’re now located at the former Big Wheels dealership off of Highway 3, just half a kilometer south of the airport.
This new, larger location will let us serve our customers better. We will now be offering a service department and a larger rental area. We can carry a larger selection of products, plus we’re in an easy to find location. Whether you need a trailer, agriculture equipment or fitness equipment, Flaman Sales is your one stop shop! Come check out the trailers we have on special!
I invite you to stop by the new store to say hello! We’re looking forward to meeting some new customers and also continuing to serve those of you who previously shopped at Big Wheels. At Flaman Sales, customer service is one of our main goals and we feel this new location will better meet the needs of the community.
Our Grand Opening will be May 8th! Stay tuned for more details soon.
Here is the new store's location.
Posted in Division News | Tagged with new store new location trailers fitness agriculture rentals Flaman Medicine Hat
On Thursday February 7 the Flaman Trailers division team toured the Wells Cargo plant in Ogden, Utah. We toured all areas of the more than 100,000 square foot facility. The team was impressed by the quality control processes at every step and the craftsmanship apparent in the build process.
Wells Cargo staff provided training on all their product lines:
Fast Trac,
Road Force, and the Wells line. In addition to the standard lines, specialized training was provided on
Concession Trailers, Job Shack Trailers,
Mobile Restroom Trailers and Wells Cargo’s impressive custom trailer capability. Last but not least, the Wells Cargo folks were great hosts!
The second day of the meeting was held at the beautiful Ogden Eccles Conference Center in downtown Ogden. All of Flaman’s main manufacturers (
Trailtech,
Southland Trailer Corp,
Diamond C,
Aluma and
ATC Trailers) were present to update the team on model improvements and changes for the coming year.
To cap off the meetings Friday evening, we headed to the Energy Solutions Arena and took in a Utah Jazz basketball game against the Chicago Bulls. All in all, the meeting provided a great learning opportunity that will allow us to better serve you, our customers.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged with trailers Flaman Trailer trailer meeting Wells Cargo trailer manufacturers
Cuba… oh boy where do I start? It was a fun filled week mixed with both business and a little pleasure. I was rather excited about this trip, as this was my first full dealer get together. I was rather nervous and not sure what to expect, especially with 100 of us crazy Canadians down in Cuba.
As we finally arrived in Cuba I was blown away by the friendliness and welcome the entire group gave me. What an amazing dealer network we have here at Flaman Rentals. Not only that, but we even had our founder Frank Flaman join us. Many dealers enjoyed Frank’s presence in Cuba. The speeches he gave were very informative and it was nice to see dealers interacting with Frank throughout the week.
As this was my first visit to Cuba, it was a surprise to see the culture and way of life Cubans have. Everything from the vehicles to the pace of life is such a shock from what we are accustomed to here in North America.
After all our groups from Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta arrived it was right to business with a meeting first thing Tuesday morning. The week was filled with all sorts of activities and tours. I had the pleasure of organizing the golf tournament, and we had a very good turnout despite the rain. We were only able to finish 13 holes but nobody complained as the course was absolutely beautiful right along the ocean. Thanks to my pro golf partner Wayne Beckett we were able to embarrass our Alberta team of Rocky Amson and Ken Barlott in a little game of best ball. Despite the rain we made the best of it and everyone had a blast.
During the golf tournament, a group organized by Tammy Weightman visited a local school and donated school supplies and small items Cubans just do not have. They also spent a lot of time with the children and the locals were all really appreciative for what our group did. Thanks again to all the dealers and staff that participated.
Other activities we had planned included a full day tour of Havana and a Catamaran trip. Most dealers really enjoyed the Havana tour as it was very informative and nice to see the Cuban culture. A few of us ventured out on our own to local towns such as Varadero, which was very interesting to see. I remember seeing part of the beach that was hit by Hurricane Sandy and it was a shock to see the beach completely washed out and trees wiped out, something we are not used to seeing in Canada.
Throughout the week you could really see friendships and memories being made. It was nice to see this type of bonding happening and I was proud to be part of this team. Although it was tough trying to spend time with all 100 or so people, each day would bring new conversations and opportunities.
As the week wound down, Saturday night we hosted our awards night. This gave everyone a chance to dress up a little and was a perfect night to end off the trip. Prior to this awards night, myself and Barrett Prokopie decided it would be fun to jump out of a helicopter at 13,000 ft over the ocean! Wow, what an unplanned amazing experience! I think I almost had a heart attack that night at the awards banquet. All in all, it was an amazing day I will never forget.
So that in a nutshell was our week in Cuba. Thanks for the knowledge, memories and friendships made. It was our most successful year ever with Flaman Rentals. We have a great group of people both at the corporate level and with our dealer network. I look forward to seeing everyone again next year. ‘Till then take care and all the best in 2013!
Congratulations to the following dealers who won awards:
Most Improved Dealer Sask/Man
Triple D&P Farms LTD – Birsay, SK
Most Improved Dealer AB
Wetaskiwin Bulk Sales
Top Retail Sales Dealer Sask/MB
Horizon Fertilizers – Humboldt, SK
Top Retail Sales Dealer AB
Smoky River Equipment Sales & Rentals
Top 5 Dealers Sask/MB
5 Mardee Enterprises – Brandon, MB
4 B&D Rentals – Cut Knife, SK
3 B&A Petroleum – Swift Current, SK
2 Windthorst Rental Centre – Windthorst, SK
1 Brendonn Holdings – Russell, MB
Top 5 Dealers AB
5 Koch Fuels – Carstairs, AB
4 Wills Welding – Ponoka, AB
3 Ray Agro & Petroleum – Barrhead, AB
2 Wetaskiwin Bulk Sales – Wetaskiwin, AB
1 Keddie’s Rentals – Grand Prairie, AB
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged with Flaman Rentals rental dealers rental meeting awards
As a project manager for Flaman’s marketing team, I am proud and excited to announce we’ve once again been nominated for a Marketing Award. Flaman Group of Companies was named a finalist in the 2012 Achievement in Business Excellence (ABEX) Awards in the Marketing category.
Our team was then encouraged to apply for the provincial ABEX award after receiving the Saskatoon Awards for Business Excellence (SABEX) award for Marketing in May. On September 5, we waited with baited breath for the announcement of the ABEX finalists and were thrilled when we were listed.
The nominees for Marketing this year are:
Flaman Group of Companies
Refresh Enterprises Inc.
Century 21 Diamond Realty
S&E Trusted Online Directory
Silver Star Salvage
The ABEX Awards are Saskatchewan’s largest celebration of private sector achievement. The event is hosted by the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce. The awards are open to any private sector business registered within the province, regardless of size, location or industry. In total, 46 nominations from Saskatchewan businesses were selected as finalists within the 10 ABEX categories.
At Flaman, we’re honoured to be nominated for this prestigious award. We work very hard to have a marketing plan that’s both strategic and creative but that ultimately offers up to our customers the products and services that they need.
“The quality and diversity of these finalists really showcases the way in which Saskatchewan’s economy is taking a leadership role within Canada, and across the global stage,” said Steve McLellan, CEO of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce in a press release.
This year’s ABEX awards gala is set for October 20th at the Delta Hotel in Regina, and is themed as a tribute to commemorate the 130th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. For more information visit
www.saskchamber.com.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged with award marketing ABEX business award Saskatchewan Flaman
It's that time of year again! It's time to vote for your favourite photos on Stuck in the Muck!
We had some great pictures submitted this year, and we need your help to pick the winners. Visit www.stuckinthemuck.com every day to vote for the best stuck photo. The winners will get a brand new tow rope to help them out next year.
At Flaman Group of Companies, it's important to us to give back to our customers and the farming community. That's one of the reasons why we started this fun photo contest. We're thankful for your support of the contest over the years. I hope you'll enjoy looking at and voting for this year's group of photos.
You can vote once a day for your favourite photos, so visit the website often! Winners will be announced at the beginning of November.
Good luck to all who entered!
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged with stuck in the muck stuck mud photo contest Flaman agriculture tractors farm
Every year, Flaman Trailers travels to the North American Trailer Dealer Association
(NATDA) tradeshow to learn about changes in the industry. This year the tradeshow was in St. Louis. This year,
as we have every year, we learned a lot. There are new parts and new trailers coming into the industry and all
manufacturers showcased new improvements to their line ups. This is a great event for the industry. Besides
the product specific learning, we also walked away with three big thoughts.
So what did we learn?
First, the industry is consolidating: like all industries the companies are getting bigger and buying each other. Broadly speaking, this means two things: there will be less manufacturers and thus less choice, but more resources put into the remaining trailer manufacturers, meaning increased quality and options, more innovations and ultimately increased value to the end customer. This is a good trend for the industry.
Second, the industry is growing. The amount of dealers waxes and wanes but the industry leaders are getting bigger and better at what they do. Customers are receiving more pre- and post-sale consideration and care. The dealer network is becoming more professional and more dealers are offering full service solutions. This too is a good trend for the industry.
Last, we learned as we always do, that we have work to do. Flaman Trailers strives to be an industry leader by providing trailers for every use. We have more products to receive training on, and shortly we will have more products to offer, thus more choices to help you find the trailer that specifically meets your needs.
We come out of this event every year with new ideas and new energy, with the ultimate goal of providing more value to our customers. I can already say, I am looking forward to next year.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged with trailers trade show NATDA Flaman industry trends new lessons learned
Posted by Roy Ritchie Aug 22, 2012
The indent cylinder machine is designed primarily to separate grain by kernel length. It separates long kernels from shorter ones. The cylinder itself is a thin-walled tube with indents formed on the inside to the shape of a hemisphere. These indents are known as pockets.
By using indent pocket size, the kernels that fit into the pocket are lifted up and dropped into a trough that runs the entire length of the cylinder, while the longer kernels slide off and tail out the end. Indent pocket sizes are measured in 64ths of an inch similar to screen sizes used on screen machines. These cylinders are case hardened to give them a longer life span. Cylinders not hardened would wear out very quickly.
The cylinder always lifts up the shorter product that fits into the pocket and always tails off longer kernel; shorter from longer! A smaller pocket like a #13 will lift small weeds like buckwheat while tailing out wheat, while a larger pocket like a # 20 will lift wheat and tail out wild oats. Using combinations of different indent pocket sizes can do very fine separations of these products.
Indents use a combination of pocket size, centrifugal force, friction and gravity to make separations possible. By using different pocket sizes, particles of a certain size are able to be lifted off. The speed that the cylinder turns creates friction and centrifugal force that hold the particle in place. As the cylinder turns, that particle is lifted to a point where gravity takes over and allows the kernel to fall into a collection trough.
Speed of the cylinder is critical: too fast and the kernel is carried too far; too slow and gravity drops the product before reaching the collection trough. Usually indent speeds are between 42 and 58 RPM. One or two RPMs can make a huge difference in separation and capacity.
The receiving trough catches and carries the lifted kernel to the end of the machine and discharges them into a spout. This trough is adjustable in order to make the cut or separation at the exact point of the particle size variation desired. The separation of the products usually happens between 60 and 45 degrees ahead of top dead centre.
Due to the fact that various seeds have different moisture, surface conditions, and specific gravity it is important to be able to hold the cylinder at a constant speed. Any fluctuations in speed will affect the actual trough adjustment and therefore the separations.
While feed flow and constant cylinder speed are critical, the unit is no better than the person running it. If you take time to understand the operation of the unit and allow a reasonable time after making adjustments you will find that the indent cylinder, regardless of make will do a good job for you. It will do this with minimal attention and service for a long period of time.
We at Flaman have several models and makes of indents available for sale. We are here to help.
This is one man’s opinion...
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged with grain cleaning indent cylinder grain kernel Flaman grain sorting
As the new territory rental manager I had the chance to personally hand deliver a $10,000 donation cheque on behalf of the Frank Flaman Foundation to Ike Friesen of Morden, MB. Ike is one of Flaman’s all-time longest rental dealers, and has been part of the Flaman team for over 10 years now. He is also chairman for SHARE (Sharing Hope and Agriculture Resources of the Earth).
The SHARE project already has 425 acres of farmland planted this year with all proceeds donated to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. Community growing projects are a unique way for people to contribute grain and other agricultural commodities to help people who are hungry around the world.
A typical project involves a group of people working together to farm a common plot of land. After harvest, the production is donated through the Canadian Foodgrains Bank for overseas food ais and agricultural development projects.
Flaman’s donation will be used towards crop input costs. Frank Flaman likes to donate money that's going to go right to the people. I was honoured to present this cheque to SHARE as it made me feel part of something that is a good cause and helping to fight hunger in our world.
For more information on the Canadian Foodgrains Bank please visit
www.foodgrainsbank.ca/growing_projects.aspx
Ike Friesen and Parrish Kondra
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged with rentals donation SHARE food bank Flaman Foundation charity
For the third year in a row, Flaman Rentals in Saskatoon has been named a Consumer Choice Award Winner. This division of Flaman rents out enclosed and flat deck trailers, along with agricultural equipment like discs, land rollers or mowers.
I recently attended the Consumer Choice Award ceremony with our marketing VP Steve Whittington at the beautiful Delta Bessborough in Saskatoon. We got to sip champagne and rub elbows with a lot of great business owners in the city, and of course, celebrate our own success!
This award is special because the winners are picked by our customers. It means a lot to us that people recognize our efforts to offer great customer service. We were also very pleased to win a Consumer Choice Award three years in a row. This means our team is consistent taking care of our customers’ needs. And we’re proud of that!
What’s great is that the Consumer Choice Award is becoming a trusted name in the Saskatoon area. Looking at the other winners gathered in the room that night, we knew we were in good company amongst other top businesses in Saskatoon.
A big “thank you!” is due to our rental team in Saskatoon for all their efforts and hard work every day and to our customers for continuing to choose Flaman Rentals.
Steve Whittington (middle) receiving our award from Saskatoon Mayor Don Atchison and Consumer Choice Award President Marcel Sbrollini
Jennifer Thompson arriving at the awards ceremony.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged with Consumer Choice Award Flaman Rentals trailer rentals agricultural equipment rentals customer service Saskatoon
At Flaman trailers we have offered concession trailers for some time. With the addition of the Wells Cargo line, we can really offer quality concession trailers from a company that knows the industry requirements. We do receive requests for quotes for a concession trailer and they range from pointed requests such as “How much?” to more detailed inquiries.
The fact of the matter is when it comes to a concession trailer purchase, it should always be a detailed inquiry. However, you need to know what questions you should be asking prior to contacting a Trailer Sales specialist.
Here is a list of things to think about. In fact, you can use it as a check list prior to contacting us!
What is the Application of the trailer?
o Food
o Vending
o Line-up
o Display
o Ticket booth
o Other:__________
Size (Select the base box size)
o Single axle 7 wide 12 or 14 long
o Tandem axle 7 wide 12 ,14, 16 long
o Tandem axle 8 wide 12 , 16 ,20, 24, 28, 32 long
Floor
o Flat Floor
o Recessed floor
Roof Profile
o Radius Roof
o Flat Roof
Hitch
o Permanent A-Frame
o Removable
Stabilizer Jacks
o Scissor Jacks
o Corner Posts
Entry Door
o 30” Square
o 36” Square
o 36” Radius
Service Windows -Style
o No (skip next two questions)
o Vertical Style
o Horizontal Style
Service Windows – Quantity
o Curbside
o Roadside
o Front
Lift up Awning – Quantity
o One
o Two
o Three
o More
Lift up Awning Style
o Straight
o Sign type –Aluminum faced
o Sign type Plexiglas Faced
Awning Supports
o Self Storing –standard up to 8’0” wide without supports
o Swing out supports Standard on awnings over 8’0” wide
o Gas Piston Supports
o Sliding Awning Supports
Floors
o One piece standard vinyl linoleum
o One piece Heavy Duty skid resistant vinyl linoleum
o Other
Insulation
o No
o Walls
o Ceiling
Interior Side Walls
o Plywood
o White vinyl covered plywood (light duty)
o White embossed FRP plywood (heavy duty)
Interior Ceiling
o White vinyl covered plywood (light duty)
o White embossed FRP plywood (heavy duty)
Counter/Cabinets/Shelves
o Laminated Counter (no cabinet)
o Exterior Hinged Counter
o Tip-out Laminated Counter
o Base Cabinet
o Overhead Cabinet
o Overhead Plastic Storage trays
Sink Units
o 3 compartment sink – Straight
o 4 compartment sink – Straight
o 4 compartment sink – L -shaped
o 4 compartment sink – Deep
Electrical
o 30 amp service panel (120 Volt only)
o 50 amp service panel (120/240 Volt)
o 100 amp service panel (120/240 Volt)
o 120 Volt Duplex Receptacle(s)
o 120 Volt Duplex GFI receptacle(s)
o 240 Volt Bell Box (Stub Wire)
o Exterior 120 Volt Duplex GFI Receptacles
And this is just the start! Do you need and air conditioning, heating, lighting or a vent with an exhaust fan? The list goes on, but if you go through the checklist first you will have a good idea about what you need and the product specialist will be better equipped to answer your question: “How Much?”
Posted in New Products | Tagged with concession trailer ticket trailer ticket booth food trailer Flaman trailers custom trailer
The Canadian Farm Progress Show is an annual event that starts on Wednesday June 20th at Evraz Place in Regina. Known as “Canada’s National Farm Show,” it’s an agriculture industry show that focuses on innovation and technology primarily for dryland farming practices. The show attracts visitors from the across Canada, the USA and 45 other countries. Flaman has a booth at the show since the start. We sat down with Rudy Flaman to talk with him about the importance of the show and Flaman’s history there.
When did Flaman start going to the Farm Progress Show?
We were there when it all began and every year since. The first year Frank had to be gone for some reason so Bernice looked after a small booth and has been helping out every year since by making sure all the troops are well fed with some home made food during the show. Thanks Bernice!
Why is it an important show to go to?
It’s the number one ag show in western Canada, and it attracts a whole ton of international visitors, along with our local ag market.
With the timing of the show, it’s traditionally been a kick off to summer. Everyone gets their crop in the ground and comes to the farm show in a good mood with their chequebook. You may not be able to talk to our customers for a year, but they’ll come to the show and look you up; it’s a meeting place.
Why do you think it’s still so popular today for farmers?
A lot of new product is unveiled at the show. They have a new invention portion of the show, so farmers come to see what is new. If there is any new product or new way of doing something that will be important to the ag industry, it will be at the show.
How has the show changed over the years?
What’s changed since it started is all the new advanced technology that’s been introduced. There have been new items at show that 15years ago weren’t even heard of.
What has been your most memorable Farm Progress year?
One highlight was back in 1980s when we sold a whole ton of grain storage. And in the early 1990s we won more than one award for best display.
But generally, it’s a time where everybody gets together. The P.A. boys come down, the guys from Saskatoon, Yorkton, a lot of the ag people get together and work as a team once a year.
It’s an opportunity for the sales people to get together with customers. And it’s a big team effort. A heck of a pile of work goes into the set up and take down of the booth.
Posted in Division News | Tagged with Rudy Flaman History Farm Progress Western Farm Progress Flaman
Over the past couple weeks I have been working on an exciting project – building our new careers site. With a lot of help from our awesome design team, we finally have a shiny new careers site for you to see what is happening at Flaman.
One of the biggest challenges I faced was creating a page that exhibited and explained the Flaman Group of Companies’ culture. Flaman is a diverse company with many locations and divisions. Each location and division does things a little bit differently, so writing about the Flaman culture in a way that would be true to everyone was difficult. Flaman is like no place I have ever worked (or for that matter like any of the places my friends have worked). Explaining our “secret sauce” or what makes us tick was hard because there aren’t really words to describe it. It’s more of a feeling, an unsaid way of doing things that guides us all in the same direction.
I finally got the idea that Flaman is different after about 100 tries (sometimes it takes me a while). I realized that the Flaman culture can’t be explained or summed up. It’s something you have to experience. So I decided to be a little different. I pulled all the words that I kept hearing in my conversations with our team (words like supportive, growth, family, caring) and put them into a cloud. This is what creates the word cloud you see today on the Flaman Culture page.
Then someone else gave me an awesome idea of using a picture of our Saskatoon team dressed up for the Rider game. I think the picture says it all. We are a crazy, quirky bunch who love to have a good time. So please, if you have a couple minutes, check out
www.flaman.com/careers and tell me how we did.
Thanks!
Lindsay
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged with careers career job employment jobs culture flaman fun friendly team
Hi! I wanted to take a minute (or 2) and introduce myself and tell you a little bit about what is happening in the world of customer service at Flaman. My name is Lindsay Sanderson. My official title is Customer Relations Manager but you can just call me Lindsay or the girl who calls you and talks really fast. My job was added not too long ago. Mostly I call customers (like you) to see how your experience here was. While I have been calling people I have learned that customer service can happen in 2 minutes or less (sometimes more but usually less).
Just about every day I go into my computer and I pull out a list of customers who have visited one of our locations and call as many as I can. Most of the time these calls are very short, under 2 minutes, although some are a bit longer. Usually the longer conversations come from when we have fallen down and screwed up. These conversation are not always fun but they are interesting and challenging. And I love a good challenge. Hearing about our weaknesses and failures is not the bright point of my day, but we have learned some very important lessons (those are for future blog posts).
More often than not I do get to hear really great stories about our people and our customers. When this happens I love having a great excuse to get out of my office, head down to the sales floor, shop or parts counter and say – “Hey I just heard the greatest story about you!” That is a pretty great part of my job.
These phone calls are customer service to me. They are about trying to learn what is happening from our customers' perspective. If we haven’t talked yet I look forward to talking with you! When I call you, I don’t have a formal survey that I am trying to fill out. I want to hear what you have to say, what you are thinking and what you would like to see. Like I said before, I talk really fast so 2 minutes is usually all it takes but if you want to talk slow or long I am good with that too!
If you have something that you really want to talk about (but I will warn you I am not very well versed on the finer points of hockey and football) please give me a call anytime at 1-888-435-2626.
Lindsay
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged with customer service flaman phone call survey story
Flaman Rentals has just finished producing and distributing the new Rental Rate Flyer for our eastern Saskatchewan and western Manitoba rental stores. It contains details and safety information as well as rental rates on all of our most popular equipment.
A mass mailing was done in early March to farmers and business in these areas and it is also available to download off this site.
We hope that you will find it useful and informative and like the catalogue says, if you don’t see what you need in here, please call any of our branches and we will be glad to help find it for you. Our rental inventory is constantly being added to so that we can better serve the needs of our customers and their diverse markets.
When you think rentals, think Flaman!
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged with rentals equipment Flaman rates flyer construction agriculture trailers
I have been in the trailer industry for a long time: 3 years as a marketing consultant to the industry, 6 years as General Manager of a trailer manufacturer and 4 years running retail dealerships. Despite all this experience, I still get overwhelmed by the diversity of choice offered to a customer in today’s market place.
Unlike the auto industry, there are hundreds of large trailer manufacturers and thousands of small players. The dealerships to buy from range from a small, one-man band to professional, fully staffed dealerships that emulate the auto dealership model.
So how does a customer choose what and where to buy?
Some of you reading this may not be close to a Flaman Trailer Dealership. (If you are in Western Canada you are never far, as there are ten locations.) Either way, when choosing a dealership to deal with, think about the following: How long has the dealership been in business? Do they carry brand name manufacturers? Do they offer service and parts? What are my product choices? Is there a range from good to best? Why does any of this matter?
How long has a dealership been in business? As a consumer you may think this does not matter anymore, as many old companies have been swept under the rug lately. Fair enough, but do consider this; a company that has been around for a while is doing something right. That something is always about the how the customer is treated.
Brand Names: For trailers, let's compare two brands: Trailtech and Blue Hill trailers. If you live in Western Canada, you know the quality of build that Trailtech represents and you know that brand will take care of its retailers and by default you, the customer. Who is Blue Hill? Well, they are in Texas. I honestly do not know much more. Would you buy a car you have never heard of? Then why buy a trailer that you have never heard of?
Service and Parts: Would you buy a car from a dealership that cannot perform a service check? Not a new car anyway. Not all trailer dealerships provide this commitment to their customers. I personally believe there is duty of care that a responsible dealer should be able to provide to its customer.
Product Range Choices: As a consumer you want to be able to choose the best fit for you. If you are a four times a year user, you will need a certain grade of trailer with the appropriate price for that use. If you are a construction company owner, you want a certain grade of trailer to take the work stress you will put on the trailer. The point is, when you come to the lot you want to be able to make these choices and buy what you need, not what a sales person pressures you to buy because that is what the dealership offers. At Flaman Trailers we believe in providing choice: good, better, best. You pick.
Does it always come down to price? Well I hope not – as a retailer the fight for the lowest price is a race to the bottom. You never win and never create a sustainable customer orientated business, unless you cut all services, amenities and after sale care. That is not the Flaman Trailer customer-focused business model. That said, at Flaman we do often have the lowest prices due to our buying power, and we often have the highest prices due to our product offering. Our sales team will consult you as to which grade (good, better, best) of trailer you need and then you pick.
I hope this has been helpful. It is difficult to choose sometimes in this congested marketplace.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged with trailer brand name manufacturer service parts choosing a trailer Flaman
Are you looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community? Then mark your calendar and get your ticket for the 6th annual Frank Flaman Foundation Gala on March 30, 2012.
This annual event is the main fundraiser for the Frank Flaman Foundation, the charity created by Flaman Group of Company’s founder and owner Frank. The Foundation is funded by Frank's share of the profits from the Flaman Group, and by private donations. Along with being a savvy businessman, Frank has always been a respected philanthropist, and his foundation gives millions of dollars to local and international charities each year.
The gala is a fun and elegant evening, featuring a delicious supper, a silent auction with a large variety of items and an exciting live auction.
But this event is not just about raising money, it’s also about showing attendees and supporters how their contributions are making a difference. Representatives from a number of charities are on hand to receive their donations from Frank himself. As well, charitable groups are showcased for everyone to learn about the great work that they do.
The charities that the Foundation supports are too many to list, but some examples are: Operation Eyesight, the Salvation Army, Oxfam, Room to Read, Global Neighbours, E4C’s School Lunch Program and many other local and international charities that help women and children in need. To Frank, a needy person is a needy person, whether they live just down the street or thousands of miles away.
This year the fundraiser is on March 30, 2012 at the Shawn Conference Centre in Edmonton. Cocktails start at 6:30 pm, with dinner at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $100 or $900 for a table of 10. For tickets or more information, please contact Syndy Bisson at (780) 955-3400.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged with Flaman Foundation Gala charity Edmonton donations fundraiser auction community
Flaman Sales and Rentals in Moosomin is happy to announce that we have officially begun construction on our new facility here in Moosomin. As part of the original take over from Wayne’s Rental Centre back in the spring of 2011, Flaman knew that they would soon need a much larger facility to work out of as business grew and expanded.
The current building of 4,000 square feet and a half acre of yard space will soon become a building of more than 13,000 square feet and 10 acres of yard space located on the west side of Moosomin, along the busy #1 and #8 highway intersection.
It will be a full line rental store, as well as a fully stocked parts store and retail outlet for all the lines that Flaman carries in the other corporate stores, like Yorkton. The Moosomin staff are looking forward to the new facility and proud of it becoming a cornerstone of the local business sector.
Posted in Division News | Tagged with rentals Moosomin expansion Flaman
For Ryan Kahovec, getting stuck in the mud while farming near Rosetown was inevitable – there wasn’t much to be done to stop it. But he was convinced there was a better way for him to get unstuck, without damaging his equipment.
“We use a grain cart with a weigh scale, so if you’re stuck you can’t pull it from the back or you’d wreck it,” Ryan says, who farms 10,000 acres of cereals and pulse crops with his family. Unhooking the cart takes about half an hour, wasting precious time when you’re harvesting.
“We needed something to hook on the front of the tractor,” he says, but adds his John Deere had no place to hook a rope. “We needed something that ties the frame rail together so you can pull without bending.”
So Ryan decided to solve his own problem, and created a tow bar that easily attaches to the front of the tractor with eight bolts, using existing holes. The bar is made of a drop plate and tube with a lug in the centre. “You just hook up a rope or strap to the lug and away you go,” he explains.
Ryan made the first tow bar for himself, but soon his neighbours saw it and wanted one as well. He saw the Stuck in the Muck website as a great place to share his idea. Ryan himself has added some photos and he goes back to the site a couple times a week to see what’s new.
“It’s important to me to try to help other farmers. So many frame rails on tractors get bent from pulling,” Ryan says. “If you hook on a four-wheel drive tractor and pull at a 45 degree angle, it takes less power and you won’t bend the frame. But you need that attachment to hook the rope onto. It’s handy at seeding too, as you can hook on and pull with another tractor to get the unit out and going quickly.”
Cody Grasdal, who farms just north of Biggar, uses one of the tow bars on his 9530 triple tire John Deere. With the last tractor he had, Cody bent the frame trying to pull himself out of the mud. He knew he’d get stuck and need a tow bar this year because of all the rain that’s fallen.
The tow bar has worked really well, he says. It’s helped pull him out a couple of times and has not bent the frame. “One time we had two tractors pulling on the 9530 to get it out and the tow bar saved the frame from being damaged,” Cody says.
Right now the tow bars only work on John Deere tractors, for the 30 and 9000/20 series, but Ryan is looking at creating new ones for others manufacturers. For now, his advice to farmers who get stuck is to use heavy duty shackles and ropes, instead of chain, “and just take your time pulling.”
If you're interested in purchasing a tow bar, please visit our Parts website here.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged with unstuck muck mud tractor tow bar towing Flaman
For the second year in a row, Flaman Rentals has received the Consumer Choice Award for the best Equipment Rental dealer in Saskatoon.
“This award speaks well for the service we strive to give our customers,” says Ellery Erb, the rentals manager at Flaman Sales and Rentals in Saskatoon.
“Our goal is to have quality equipment and trailers to suit the customer’s needs, friendly service at the counter and fair pricing. I think all of those factors combined are what helped us win this award again.”
Consumer Choice Awards are handed out annually in cities across Canada in a variety of categories. The awards are based on answers from accurate surveys conducted by a third party research firm, Leger Marketing. Leger Marketing looks at various industries in each city and interviews a sample of people that represents the majority of that city’s population.
The first round of research determines the nominees for each category and a second survey asks people which of the nominated companies is their choice for the year.
Erb says it’s especially important that this award was voted on by customers, as customer service is the rental division’s number one goal.
This year’s awards were presented at a dinner and gala June 23 at TCU Place attended by a host of dignitaries including Saskatchewan’s Lieutenant-Governor Saskatchewan’s David Barnhart and Saskatoon Mayor Don Atchison.
Flaman Rentals in Saskatoon employs four full time employees and offers a fleet of 48 trailers and various agricultural equipment for rent.
Steve Whittington, an executive at Flaman, accepts the Consumers Choice Award for Flaman Rentals in Saskatoon.
Posted in Division News | Tagged with Rentals Consumer Choice Award trailers equipment Flaman award customers Saskatoon
Are you interested in the next generation of farm processes and grain management? Want to win some prizes?
Then stop by Flaman Sales in Prince Albert on Tuesday June 28 for a day of exciting product demonstrations. You can see the Flaman Pro Grain Bagger and Pro Grain Extractor in action, and learn all about J&M Grain Carts. It will be fun and educational!
This is all part of Flaman Sales’ Customer Appreciation Open House, which will be showcasing many other agriculture products such as Opi grain monitoring, bin aeration solutions and a Kioti tractor obstacle course. There will also be raffles and great prizes available to be won, plus burgers and refreshments! All proceeds from food sales will go to the Prince Albert Women’s Shelter. A special donation will also be made to the shelter from the Frank Flaman Foundation.
“Flaman Sales wanted to show our customers how much we appreciate them with a day of demos, food and fun,” says Barrett Prokopie, Operations Manager at the Prince Albert store. “This is truly a way to showcase our products and spectacular staff, and get the producers out to discuss their wants and needs, and play our part in the community.”
Flaman Sales will have suppliers, product specialists and leasing representatives on hand to answer any questions producers may have and to lend a helping hand. So come on down for a good time!
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged with Flaman agriculture equipment demonstrations prizes charity BBQ grain bagger J&M Carts
At Flaman Trailers, we’re dedicated to customer service. So much so, that if you can’t come to us, we’ll come to you!
That was the motto behind one of our salesman’s recent trip to Fort McMurray. Aaron Farrell, a trailer specialist at the north Edmonton store, loaded up a H370 flat deck trailer with a XR7 cargo trailer and an Aluma 638 utility trailer and headed up north To Fort McMurray on June 3 and 4.
This is the first time Flaman Trailers has gone on the road. Not long ago Aaron was looking through his customer list and noticed that many of them were form Fort McMurray. Talking with his customers, they expressed some difficulty in getting trailers up there. Many of them made the drive down to Edmonton.
“I thought: why not go up there? I had nothing to lose,” Aaron says.
He set up shop at the Fountain Tire in the MacKenzie industrial area, displaying the trailers on government land right in front of the store so everyone could see them as they drove by. Although Aaron says he had a bit of bad weather on the first day, the set up worked. He even sold the utility trailer on the spot.
“Lots of people were pulling over on the side of the road,” he says. “Many recognized the ad we had put in the paper. I talked to about 24 people over the 2 days I was there. It was great!”
Feeling confident, the second day he was there Aaron pulled his trailer over to a mall parking lot and set up for a few hours, where he also got a lot of traffic. He says he got a lot of interest from the oil field in equipment haulers and flat decks, but also a lot of interest in cargo trailers.
Aaron says he would “absolutely” like to take Flaman Trailers on the road again, and plans to go back to Fort McMurray.
Posted in Division News | Tagged with trailers Flaman cargo utility Fort McMurray flatdeck
No, we’re not opening a new Flaman Trailers location in Siberia. But an interesting story unfolded this past March where trailers purchased from Flaman Trailers in Nisku played a background, but important, role in taking some special guests to the northern Russian region.
Parks Canada moved 30 Wood Bison calves from Elk Island National Park in Alberta to Lenskie Stolby National Nature Park in Sakha, Russia as a way to preserve the animals’ endangered population. This move created what is called an “out-population” in a region where bison went extinct thousands of years ago. Essentially, having these bison in Russia is an insurance policy, in case anything happens to the vulnerable population here in Canada.
So where does Flaman Trailers fit into all this? Well, as one woman quips in the documentary of the bison’s journey filmed by Discovery Channel, you can’t transport the bison in passenger seats.
The 30 calves were loaded into Southland stock trailers purchased from Flaman to make the one hour trip to Edmonton International Airport. These loaded trailers were then put on a Russian transport plane for the 10 hour flight to Yakutsk, Russia, then continued on a four hour drive along bumpy roads and a frozen river to the nature park.
These trailers had been in Russia since 2006, after they carried bison there as part of a pilot project. Almost five years later, as they were given the once over before the bison were loaded in, the trailers looked “excellent” according to the General Trades Assistant at Elk Island. I think it’s a testament to the quality of these Southland units – not only their durability but the fact they were trusted with carrying such precious cargo.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged with Flaman Trailers Southland stock Nisku bison Discovery Channel
Posted by Mark Flaman May 02, 2011
Every two years we replace the rental trailers in our fleets across all of our stores. We combine our pre-existing used inventory with our ‘birthday’ (clearance) trailers and add the trailers that come out of our rental fleets to make the largest trailer sale in our organization. We are currently clearing out over 350 trailers across western Canada, and we are sure we’ve got one to fit your bill. From small shuttle trailers, to motorcycle trailers, to car haulers, to dump trailers, to goosenecks, you’ll be hard pressed to find something we don’t have in our used inventory. Everything from aluminum to steel, light-duty to heavy-duty, in all sorts of colors, shapes and sizes. All trailers go through our service centers for a full inspection before they are put into our used inventory.
Stop in at your nearest FLAMAN dealer, or visit our used selection online HERE.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged with trailer sale spring clearance used flaman rentals low cost pre-owned
Wayne Beckett, from Flaman’s newest store in Moosomin is the new president of the Canadian Rental Association (CRA), and will serve in this role throughout 2011. The CRA is an industry trade organization dedicated to advancing the growth of the rental industry. His association with the CRA goes back almost to the day he started in the rental business, back in March of 1987.
Wayne originally joined the CRA to meet and learn from other rental operators. He is a firm believer in learning from other rental operators at every opportunity. When travelling for business or pleasure, he makes a point of stopping at most of the rental stores along the way.
Wayne is looking forward to the challenges of running the organization and implementing some new ideas. He hopes to meet with a lot of the members to get their input on what issues are important to them.
Wayne is also involved with the Moosomin Chamber of Commerce. On April 30 Wayne will be accepting a community recognition award from the Chamber of Commerce for over 20 years of dedicated service.
Congratulations Wayne and good luck in your new position!
Posted in Division News | Tagged with Flaman Moosomin rentals
We are excited that as of April 1 Flaman Group of Companies took ownership of Wayne’s Rental Centre in Moosomin. The Moosomin store will be expanded into a full size yard site like Flaman Sales in Yorkton, and will sell a full line of ag implements and equipment—such as bins, aeration fans, grain carts and grain augers—and will include a store with a full retail area, fitness equipment, service bays and a rental area. The store will be managed locally by Peter Nabholz and the general manager will be Tyson Becker who works out of the Yorkton store. There will be a close relationship between the Yorkton, Swan River and Moosomin locations so if an item is not available in Moosomin we can bring it in from Yorkton or Swan River.
L-R: Peter Nabholz, Charlene Swanton, Darren Kindlein, Wayne Beckett and Randy Fyke
The Moosomin location is currently looking to buy about 12 acres of land to build a new store on and be in the new location by 2013. Until then the store will operate out of the former Wayne’s Rental Centre. Almost a million dollars of rental equipment, trailers, water fittings, pumps and water tanks will be added to inventory.
The Yorkton store started 15 years ago with just one employee and has evolved into a store with 25 employees. We can see the same thing happening in Moosomin.
Moosomin is a very strong community and a good fit for the Flaman Group. We have a lot of customers in the Moosomin area that have supported us over the years and we felt a need to be there to look after and serve them better.
Wayne Beckett decided to sell to Flaman Group as he sees us as a well-run company that values its employees and customers. As a family-run company, the Flaman Group looks after its staff and places a lot of importance on being a part of each community it’s in. In the future the Moosomin store hopes to work with local charities as Flaman’s philosophy is to give back to the community as much as we can.
If you are in the Moosomin area stop in, say hi and see what our new store has to offer.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged with new store Moosomin Flaman agriculture trailers fitness store opening
Residents in southern and central Saskatchewan could face severe flooding this spring if unfavourable weather conditions continue.
According to a report from the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority, there is potential for above normal spring runoff throughout the southern part of the province, as well as the central area bounded by Kindersley, Saskatoon, Prince Albert and North Battleford and a large portion of the eastern agricultural area. This high runoff is linked to excessive rainfall last year and an above average snowpack.
“Above normal precipitation and/or rapid snow melt will increase the threat of high runoff and risk of flooding,” states the report. “Even with average weather conditions between now and runoff, some localized flooding can be anticipated.”
To help mitigate the potential damage from yet another year of flooding, the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority and the Ministry of Corrections, Public Safety and Policing have created a $22 million Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program.
Through this program, communities, rural municipalities and farm and country residences can access funding and assistance to implement flood reduction or prevention measures. The program will cover 100 per cent of engineering costs to design flood protection works and cost share a variety of flood protection such as: construction of dykes or berms, pumping, sandbags, material to fill sandbags and equipment rental to fill sandbags.
In anticipation of the needs of many farmers and rural residents this spring, Flaman Sales went looking for products that could help prevent flooding and financial losses at farmyards and homes.
“Flooding is a big concern this year,” says Dave Weightman, Director of Operations for the Flaman Group of Companies. “And being prepared is critical. You can’t start planning for a flood when you see the water coming down the road. We’re here to help our customers and offer them services that, unfortunately, could be in very high demand again this year.”
This year Flaman has a sand bagger to purchase or rent, which easily fills 400 50-lb sandbags in only one hour. The company also carries items like tear-resistant sand bags and water pumps, which can be covered under the funding program.
“I think the Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program is a great way to offer assistance. With every disaster there is a cost,” says Weightman. “Many municipalities may have a flood plan, but a lot of individual people may not have access to those resources because of demand.”
Please contact your local watershed authority to learn more about the Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program and how to apply. You can also call their head office at (306) 694-3900 or visit www.swa.ca.
Posted in New Products | Tagged with Flaman flooding agriculture funding government pumps sand bags Saskatchewan
The Flaman Grain Cleaning and Handling Division would once again like to welcome you to join us at the Western Canada Farm Progress Show in Regina, Saskatchewan. The show starts June 15th and ends June 17th.
Come out and learn about cutting edge technology, emerging trends, and ever-changing demographics. Learn how to combat the unpredictable weather patterns we have been seeing and maximize efficiency on your farm this year. Swing by our booths and take advantage of the innovative solutions we have to offer you such as colour sorters to remove ergot from wheat or the Will-Rich Vertical Tiller to help keep you stay afloat.
Flaman Grain Cleaning and Handling Division will be displaying our newest addition to the vast line of products that we offer, the Light Foot Cleaning Machine. The Light Foot is a simple and compact air/screen grain cleaner, great for “on the farm” use.
Come and see us at the show for more details and don’t forget to enter your name into our draw for a 12-piece dockage testing kit. That’s right, we’re giving away a 12-piece hand-tester sieve kit set to your specifications to test your various commodities. See you at the show!
Posted in Division News | Tagged with Western Canada Farm Progress Show Flaman Grain Cleaning Light Foot Cleaner Hand Sieve Draw
