Strong sales of discs, front-end loaders and post pounders have boosted
the spirits of an Alberta agricultural manufacturing company.
“We’re feeling better that things are improving,” said John Yannitsos,
vice-president of Laniuk Industries, the parent company of Ezee-On
Manufacturing in Vegreville, which produces a full line of agricultural
equipment, and RJV Gas Field Services, which produces equipment for the
oil and gas business.
Contrary to the move to minimum tillage by many farmers, sales of discs
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are leading the way in sales at Ezee-On, said Yannitsos of Calgary.
Sales of front-end loaders and post pounders in Western Canada and the
United States are also strong, he said.
“Perhaps it’s not all doom and gloom.”
The past three years have been difficult for agricultural manufacturing
companies. A combination of drought and low prices left farmers with
little money for new equipment. But strong livestock prices and good
crops in parts of the Prairies have allowed farmers to start buying
farm machinery again.
Gross revenue for Ezee-On increased 22 percent to $3.5 million in the
first quarter of 2002 compared to a year earlier.
Yannitsos said the company has started to see benefits from its move
into Australia and an effort to reduce inventory.
