Business View Magazine | March 2021

26 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE MARCH 2021 enough, and the company has a mentorship program that inducts unskilled mechanics into the company through an in-house training program. While getting new workers is difficult, Haaker Equipment Company seems to be doing a great job retaining the ones already hired. “Our most important resource is our employees,” says Woods. “Our company culture is to empower our people to make decisions that solve our customers’ problems.” With the company managing to retain the average employee for over seven years, this strategy has paid off, which in an industry that typically has a high mechanic turnover points to a positive culture. The company is also proud to have several retirements due to low staff turnover, especially in the sales and administration departments. All of Haaker Equipment Company’s office locations have similar operational capabilities to serve their respective markets. “From our three hands-on role of CEO and Sales Manager. In 2010, following Bill’s tragic death, the company shifted leadership to his children, Robin and Jake, with Robin serving as President and Jake taking on the mantle of Vice President, Operations. That same year saw the formation of a new company founded by Matt Woods, Total Clean Equipment, selling industrial sweepers and floor scrubbers. Haaker Equipment Company currently employs a team of 87 talented individuals, 19 of whom are in sales, 15 in administration, and the rest in the parts and service departments. Like most North American companies that rely on skilled tradespeople, Haaker Equipment Company also struggles to find qualified workers. “Our biggest challenge is finding skilled technicians with equipment and diagnostic experience,” says Woods. “Meanwhile, the auto shop in high school is nowhere to be found anymore.” Haaker Equipment Company is solving this problem by tapping into trade schools and hiring skilled workers trained elsewhere. However, this is not Jake and Robin Haaker