What's it like being a Flaman Rental Dealer?, A Brief History of the Newest Flaman Store in Swift Current...

What's it like being a Flaman Rental Dealer?

Posted by Jeff Brown Jan 17, 2023

We could explain how we support our dealers and how our Rentals division reflects Flaman’s history and community culture (which we will). However, to provide a clear picture of the actual dealership experience, it’s best to let our dealers speak for themselves.

Farmer and a Flaman Rental Dealer in the field talking

Farmer and a Flaman Rental Dealer in the field talking

Today, we are sharing the experience of current rental dealers with you.

An Unforeseen Advantage: Brian Headon

We recently talked with Brian from Headon Rentals in Lloydminster. He shared his insightful perspective on how becoming a Flaman dealer added to their existing livestock farm.

We decided to become a Flaman Rental Dealer because it complements our farm. We have a year-round livestock operation and don’t have the same seasonal demands as grain producers. Flaman Rentals just made sense as a cash-flow business. Now that rental income has morphed into its own enterprise in the 11 years since we’ve partnered with Flaman.

There’s an unforeseen advantage in creating this massive relationship with the community. You really don’t know what other producers are doing. We sort of became this hub, and we get to see how innovative other growers have become.

Our success in the first year happened because of the early support from Flaman Rentals. Whenever we had a question or concern, we could count on Flaman, and the local farming community could count on us.

—Brian Headon, Headon Rentals, Lloydminster, AB.

The Roots of Flaman Rentals

The national company you now know as Flaman began in 1959 with Frank Flaman and a baler and swather. You could say that custom baling and harvesting in the Southey, Sask area was Frank’s first rental venture. The commodities were his equipment and his manpower. This was the seed that would grow to become Flaman Rentals in 1993. It was nurtured by Frank’s desire to reduce the financial pressure on farmers and help make a difference in his community.

Over 80 Flaman Dealerships exist across Western Canada and the U.S., supported by management, administrative, IT and marketing teams in our head office. We’ve expanded the range of products offered by our rental services to meet our client’s ever-changing needs. Even though many things have changed, one thing that remains the same is Flaman’s commitment to the customer.

With the success of our existing Flaman Rental dealers, we expect to see many new ones sprout up. Many people share our vision of making a difference by helping local farmers succeed in today’s climate.

The greatest thing about being a Flaman Dealer: Chad Cissell

Chad Cissell of Darkside Rentals shares a story similar to Brian’s. He took over an existing Flaman dealer five years ago.

Flaman support was top-notch as we were first getting started. And even through the years, if you have a question, our Territory Manager will have an answer. We are one of the larger dealers with loads of experience, and we pass on our expertise to other Flaman Dealers.

We serve lots of smaller farms that can’t just buy high-dollar equipment – ones that need quality implements in the short term to remain competitive. We offer that option at a fraction of the cost.

Being part of the dealer network is the greatest thing about being a Flaman Dealer. We share tips and tricks, stories from the field, and help each other grow. There is still that competitive spirit amongst the dealers but… it just makes everyone better. That network is valuable.

For those considering becoming a dealer, it’s very different day to day. Especially when you’re working with 100-plus customers over the year. You're used to seeing them at the grain market or auction house on occasion. It’s different when you become hands-on with them and understand what they need.

Being a Flaman Rental Dealer is a challenging experience and I enjoy every minute of it!

—Chad Cassel, Darkside Rentals, Ponoka, AB.

Big Commitment. Ample Rewards.

As you can see, a lot goes into becoming a Flaman Rental Dealer, but it comes with ample rewards. If you operate a farm or an agriculture-related business like delivering fuel or fertilizer, it's a great way to supplement your income. Dealership candidates with a solid understanding of the needs of farmers, farming communities, and agri-business go to the front of the line. We look for people like Brian and Chad who realize that maintaining that level of involvement is a reward.

At Flaman, we pride ourselves on being supportive; If you think you’re the kind of person who’d enjoy this kind of opportunity, join our team, you can count on our help finding the right equipment for your location. Flaman helps you succeed so you can continue to be the center of the community - meeting everyone in the surrounding area and being part of an invaluable and coherent dealer network.

If you are interested in joining this mutually supportive network of dealers, learn more about the Flaman Rental opportunity here.

Posted in Testimonials | Tagged with Rentals Ag news | More articles by Jeff Brown

A Brief History of the Newest Flaman Store in Swift Current

Posted by Jennifer Thompson Jul 07, 2020

Flaman Group of Companies started on the farm over 60 years ago, when founder Frank Flaman saw a way to help other farmers by buying bins in bulk. That spirit of “making things better” for the farming community continues on today, so when Flaman had the opportunity to partner with an innovative, farm-focused company like Gatco Manufacturing, known for its quality products designed for farmers, the choice was easy.

The Flaman Swift Current and Gatco location

Products Designed by a Farmer, For Farmers
Gatco was started by a Saskatoon area farmer, Gary Schreiner. Schreiner had a problem: he was losing canola bins to overheating and needed a solution for remote bin yards that had no power. He began trying different combinations of perforated tubes in an effort to create a venting system inside the grain bin. This led to the creation of the GrainAir Tube powerless aeration system. The GrainAir tube allows heat and moisture to escape the bin quickly, by letting heat collect in the central tube and relying on convection to remove heat from the bin without any fans.

A couple year’s later, Schreiner was moving his load out auger and plastic hopper in his yard and slipped while maneuvering the plastic hopper. He knew there had to be a safer way to do this, and so the Auger Hog Hopper was born. This adjustable, detachable grain auger hopper attaches and detaches in seconds with a single mount pin, stays on your auger between bins, and adjusts from 12" to 29" in height merely by moving the handle. Due to the Auger Hog’s u-trough design, it also increases the average augers speed by 20-25% and prevents any product loss.

The Auger Hog

With the GrainAir tube working well, Schreiner felt there had to be a way to make a more efficient aeration system. While researching grain dryers, he found that air moved through grain easier horizontally, so he developed louvered wall columns that were pressurized with a common aeration fan. The air would leave the wall columns and travel horizontally to the central GrainAir tube and be released out through the bin lid quickly and easily. This CrossFlow system is far more efficient than traditional air systems, as the air travels less distance and moisture and heat is removed from the bin much faster.

“Gary came up with these unique solutions to help make farming easier,” says Bret Watson, Gatco division manager, who’s worked for the company since 2013.

Bret Watson (Gatco Division Manager & Flaman Operations Manager)

A Natural Partnership in Swift Current
It was that line of innovative, farmer-proven products that made Gatco a natural fit to join the Flaman team, says Watson, who is also the operations manager for Flaman’s Swift Current location. Gatco was purchased by Flaman Sales in 2018, when Schreiner decided he wanted to devote more time to his farming operation. “The companies are both family-owned and started on the farm,” says Watson. “We were selling to the same customers and trying to provide that same level of service. It was a nice, natural fit.”

With that purchase, Flaman Sales started their 7th store in Saskatchewan. The Swift Current location began as one-person business with Watson, but since February 2020 has added 5 more staff in sales, administration and yard staff, along with acquiring a second, 4-acre yard to expand on-hand inventory and provide better sales and service.

Mellissa Paxman (Administration), Bruce Deg (Ag Sales), Brittany Fiddler (Logistics Coordinator), and Rick Spanier (Yard & Support)

The Swift Current store is a full-service Flaman Agriculture equipment dealership, offering a wide range of in-stock grain-handling equipment such as augers, conveyors, post pounders, grain vacs, grain carts, grain bins, grain dryers, grain monitoring, and water and fertilizer tanks. Customers can also order products from the Flaman catalogue like discs, mowers, chem handlers, pumps, and more.

Bob Schafer (Ag Sales)

“We’re proud to offer equipment options to the local community,” says Watson. “Farmers don’t have to drive to Saskatoon or Southey anymore. This location allows Flaman to serve customers all over southwest Saskatchewan.”

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To contact our Swift Current location, please click here.
To view some of the products in inventory, click here.
Posted in Division News | Tagged with agriculture Swift Current Flaman new store local shop local southwest Saskatchewan | More articles by Jennifer Thompson

The Face Behind Flaman Communications

Posted by Flaman Jun 17, 2014

Greetings to everyone Flaman! I wanted to take this time to introduce myself. My name is Erin Mitchell and I am the Marketing and Communications Coordinator in Alberta (working out of our Nisku location). I have been working for Flaman since October 2013, but recently I have on taken on more communication roles within the company and wanted everyone to know who is behind many of Flaman’s communication channels.

Our Flaman Group of Companies Facebook page is just one of the areas that I have my hand in. I am striving to create and find interesting content for all of our staff, customers and fans to read. I am trying to find content that is equally relevant across our whole company (all provinces and divisions). I am, however, not afraid to ask for help and/or feedback from people. If you are a Flaman customer and you had a good experience with our company and you love the product that you purchased from us, please let us know. Send us a picture of you and your purchase. If you are a staff member and you need help promoting an event that you are passionate about, or that you are participating in, feel free to let me know and I will post it up on our Facebook page. Send me pictures of what’s going on at your store. People love to read human-interest stories about members of our Flaman family.

The Flaman Content Emailer that is sent out every two weeks is also my doing. With this channel, I try and keep everyone informed with ‘What is Happening at Flaman?’ With this one as well, I am looking for feedback. If there is something that you want to see more of or less of, let me know. Getting feedback from people is the best way for me to know if what I am doing is working for everyone or what is not working.

For all you Flaman staff members, I am one of the people responsible for putting together the Flaman Link Newsletter and may have to bug some of you from time to time for your picture or an interview Just remember, it’s all in good fun and, I believe, that the newsletter is positively received by the people who read it.

Lastly, if anyone is interested in flexing their writing skills and writing a blog for us, that would be awesome! We are always looking for new authors that have different expertise and can share some of their knowledge with the rest of us. Just give me a heads up of what you are planning on writing (it will need to pertain to one of the divisions that Flaman has) and I will post it on our Flaman Blog page (which I encourage everyone to check out!)

My email address is erin.mitchell@flaman.com and I’m hoping that you guys will send me some interesting content, some new blog postings or even just a quick email to say “hi”. I want to meet as many of you as possible. Have a wonderful day! :)

Posted in Division News | Tagged with feedback Facebook blog emailer newsletter | More articles by Flaman

Sourcing new trailers at NATDA 2013

Posted by Steve Whittington Sep 18, 2013

I landed in St. Louis at 11:30 pm Wednesday the day before the North American Trailer Dealer Association Tradeshow started. I have been making the pilgrimage to NATDA for that last five years. The event has been improving every year with more vendors exhibiting in the tradeshow and a higher quality speaker line up for the education sessions. As a team we travel to St. Louis to stay on top of industry trends, to learn about new and innovative products and how to improve our business practices. Attending the show refocuses us on the trailer business and provides us with great ideas for what more we can do for our customers.

From Alberta Les Bachinsky and Tim McMullen flew down and from Saskatchewan Darrell Knash and Lee Prefontaine attended the show. Les and I have been going to NATDA since the beginning but for the other three this is a new event. Les and I both feel that it is important for different members of the sales team to get down to NATDA to see how big the industry is and to learn about what is out there. Additionally, I feel bringing new people every year brings new perspectives that see things differently than Les and I do, and I must admit I learn from the team and sometimes re-evaluate previous decisions. Obviously lots of our manufacturers are in attendance and it is great to spend time with them and see what new products they have coming out for the next year.

From this show we decided to work towards adding the following to our line up:

Air-tow trailers: Trailers specifically designed for ground level loading. www.airtow.com

Jumping Jack Tent Trailer: Easy to use pop tent trailers (with tent insert) that can be pulled out to provide full use of the trailer www.jumpingjacktrailers.com

Horse and Stock Trailers: there was a time that Flaman Trailers provided horse and stock trailers to our customers. We have not carried horse and stock trailers for over five years and you, our customers, still ask for them. Well, by spring of 2014 we will have aluminum and steel products for you once again. We are evaluating a number of brands but we are committed to providing these products to you.

Fuel Trailers: We are reviewing Canadian regulations on this product line. There are many different types being built in the U.S., however Canadian regulations are far stricter than our American counterparts and at this time we have not found a manufacturer that meets Canadian regulations.

Beyond these product lines there were lots of little ideas: color combination, speciality options, attachments, new parts and accessories. The list goes on and on....we are excited about what we will have to offer in 2014.

Posted in Product Information | Tagged with NATDA new trailers camper trailers fuel trailer horse trailers speciality trailers | More articles by Steve Whittington

Rain, Rain Go Away

Posted by Mark Flaman Jul 02, 2013

Well, we've had about as much rain as a person needs for the rest of the year. It seems like it's been raining across the province non-stop for the last two weeks of June. We've seen an exceptional amount of flooding this year across western Canada, mainly in High River & Calgary Alberta, but the immense rain stretched and blanketed over Saskatchewan for almost the whole of the last two weeks of the month. In Manitoba and Saskatchewan, most farmers are at least a couple of weeks behind due to the late thaw of the snow, but as it happened, the thaw occurred too fast and now we're left with all this water.

It's one thing when you see it on the news, but recently I've been seeing it a lot first hand in Saskatoon as well as the RM of Corman Park, where out Saskatoon store is located. There are farmers with children that have to get off the bus and throw on their rubber boots just to get down the lane way. There are also acreage owners here that have to leave a vehicle at the end of the driveway, and come back and forth to the house with an ATV. There have been evacuees flooding in from northern Saskatchewan, from places such as Cumberland House who are staying at soccer & events centers around this city. These folks will thankfully be able to return home on July 3rd.

But yet, nothing compares to the damage being done in Alberta. There have been fatalities due to the flooding, and there are going to be millions in damages by the time this is all said and done. The Calgary Zoo had to relocate most of their animals, and had a few scares with losing some to the flood. The Saddle dome and Stampede grounds are under water, and several neighborhoods had to evacuate and relocate to drier ground. As our nation's fourth largest city is crippled by these floods, we stand by them as they can use all the support we have to offer.

The weather forecast shows that this is about it for the rain we're about to receive, and brighter days are ahead. We had a great Canada Day July long weekend, and we're going to be hovering around the 25 degree mark for the next two weeks with the exception of a little rain this weekend.

Posted in Local News | Tagged with rain flood flooding saskatchewan flaman alberta calgary high river news | More articles by Mark Flaman

Medicine Hat celebrates its Grand Opening

Posted by Adam Diakow May 17, 2013

On Wednesday May 8 Flaman Group of Companies in Medicine Hat held its grand opening to celebrate its new, larger location. We couldn’t have asked for a better day weather-wise, although this meant that most farmers were in the field and unable to attend.

We held a free BBQ lunch and had a great turn out. The official ribbon cutting was done at 12:30 p.m. by the Medicine Hat Chamber of Commerce and also in attendance was the mayor of Medicine Hat Norm Boucher.

To top off the day the Frank Flaman Foundation donated $7,000 to the Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter, which is the largest donation they had received to date.

The day couldn’t have gone better for everyone. Thanks to everyone who attended.

For more photos of the event, please visit our Facebook page here

Posted in Local News | Tagged with new store trailers fitness agriculture rentals Medicine Hat grand opening | More articles by Adam Diakow

Lessons from NATDA

Posted by Steve Whittington Sep 10, 2012

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 Division News | Tagged with trailers trade show NATDA Flaman industry trends new lessons learned | More articles by Steve Whittington

Toy hauler Camper Trailer from Nash Car Trailers

Posted by Steve Whittington Aug 02, 2011

In many ways this product is nothing new, but this product is part of new specialization occurring with trailer products. Let me explain.

Living Quarter units for horse trailers have been around for a long time and the idea originated from cowboys tired of sleeping in the trucks and being on the rodeo circuit more than they were at home.

This evolved to include weekend riders and then weekend warriors thus the RV industry followed suit creating toy haulers. In many ways the living quarters began to outstrip the original purpose of the trailers which was move something somewhere.

In my career, the need for simple sleeping accommodation with a trailer has been a constant request. Over the years the options have been as follows:

High End LQ units
Custom built units
Customer modified units (customer takes a stock unit and makes what they need)
Unit vented and the customer throws in a mattress

Now the Nash Car Trailers Rage Camper Unit meets this need in the following ways:

A Simple pull out allows for affordable, quick, comfortable accommodation.
The pull out allows for full use of the trailer box
The unit can be customized for different cargo (extra height for side by side units, or extra length) or more features: Awning, Stereo, water, base cabinets, the list goes on.
The unit is all aluminum so it will not rust, light to pull plus it is stylishly designed (the triple wedge front really stands out)

So if you are looking for a trailer which can haul all your toys and then provide decent sleeping accommodation the Nash Car Rage Camper is your unit.

Ask any of our product specialists for more details.

Tell us what you think? Has the missing link between camper and hauler finally been filled?

Posted in Product Information | Tagged with Toy Hauler Trailers Camper Trailers Nash New Trailers | More articles by Steve Whittington

New website, new dealers for summer 2011

Posted by Barrett Prokopie Jul 05, 2011

This spring has been a very different one for many producers in the prairies, from near disastrous flooding in the southern parts of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, to drought in northern Alberta and B.C. It seems that nothing is predictable in the agricultural sector anymore (if it ever was).

One thing is certain for all producers, in all provinces: we need all the help we can get. That is why Flaman Rentals has once again expanded our network of dealers, as well as the large line of products carried.

In Saskatchewan we’d like to welcome our newest dealers: B & A Petroleum, having enjoyed great success in their Maple Creek location, has now expanded into Assiniboia. In Blaine Lake you can now go to Blair Industrial and see Blair for all your rental needs and last but not least…. Andres Inc is now our newest dealer in Windthorst.

In Alberta we’re happy to announce these dealers to serve you better: visit Brian Headon of Headon Rentals in the Lloydminster and surrounding trading area, Dunvegan Fab and Welding in the Fairview area and Whitetail Ventures in the High Level and La Crete areas.

And what better way to mark this expansion then to introduce our new Flaman Rentals website. Please take some time to navigate the site and see what we have to offer. We think you’ll find it very user-friendly and informative. And check out the Flaman Rental dealer closest to you!

Posted in Division News | Tagged with rentals new website dealers ag equipment trailers Saskatchewan Alberta | More articles by Barrett Prokopie

A True Multi-Use Trailer

Posted by Steve Whittington Feb 26, 2010

The New Roll off Dump Trailer is truly a versatile unit. The same chassis can serve as a cargo trailer, flatdeck or dump unit. Currently Southland trailers has released the garbage bin attachment, with the above other attachments soon to follow. We are pretty excited at Flamans to be the first to bring this new unique paradigm changing trailer to the market place.

Often when you drive to a construction site there are multiple trailers present. Cargo Trailers serving as mobile tool cribs or a job site shack. Flat decks for hauling equipment, garbage bin on the ground, and dump trailer for moving dirt or landscaping. Imagine the possibilities and cost shavings of having all these functions combined with one chassis. What if you have two or three job sites!

You only need to register and maintain only one trailer instead of multiple units or if you are renting eliminate rental fees for the occasional rentals by purchasing a cost effective attachment. Additionally the attachments can be spotted and picked up at your convenience and you do not have to worry about the theft of your trailer.

These units are due to be released the middle of March just in time for the start of the spring construction season.

Posted in New Products | Tagged with New Trailer Dump Trailers | More articles by Steve Whittington

Great Acreage Trailers

Posted by Steve Whittington Feb 01, 2010

We are really excited about this new four by eight foot dump trailer we have in stock at our Flaman locations.

The product is constructed with an all tubing frame which provides ample strength and allows the wiring to be enclosed. The trailer rides on a 5200 lb spring axle..plenty of payload for an acreage heck plenty of payload for a landscaping contractor! A gas shock on the tool box lid is a nice touch as well as the light mounted on the underside of the lid for when you are working at dawn or dusk. Robust jeep style fenders plus plank brackets for building up the already ample height side walls.

All around a Must see! Must have! trailer at a very reasonable price!

Posted in New Products | Tagged with New Trailers Dump Trailers | More articles by Steve Whittington

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