Manitoba agricultural firm building two new facilities

In a late celebration of new ownership, a Manitoba grown agricultural company has sunk shovels in Brandon and Russell, Man.

AgWest Ltd. has begun building identical 20,000-sq.-ft. facilities in the two communities.

The farm equipment retailer announced its construction plan last year, upon marking its one-year anniversary of ownership by Dutch firm Mechan International.

“It’s probably long overdue, but it’s massive,” Anthony Chwaluk, AgWest’s Russell branch manager, said of the new build.

“It’s a huge investment for the company and towards the farmers.”

The Russell facility will be a near tripling in size from AgWest’s current digs in the area, Chwaluk said. He began at the first office — when it was roughly 10 by 12 ft. — seven years ago.

Traffic grew; AgWest moved to renting bigger space.

A mix of customer service and product offerings have ballooned sales, Chwaluk said. AgWest is known for selling Claas combines and the AGCO Corporation brand.

The new Russell facility will host expanded parts and shop areas, Chwaluk relayed.

Brandon’s AgWest customers will also see expansion: the current rented space has four bays, while the new owned site will have seven.

Chwaluk declined to share a price tag for the two buildings. The overall cost lands in the $10 to $20 million range, he confirmed.

Mechan International is part of Netherlands-based Zweegers Equipment Group, which specializes in agriculture equipment distribution. The corporation saw a 10 per cent net revenue increase, reaching 393 million euros, in 2024.

AgWest has been on an expansion path. In January, it announced its acquisition of two Saskatchewan dealerships previously run by Agriterra Equipment.

AgWest began in Portage la Prairie in 1991; Elie-born Powell Equipment merged with it in 2001 under Toromont Industries, who’d since become owner.

The company now counts eight locations. The new facilities in Brandon and Russell should open by December’s end, Chwaluk said. He anticipates hiring five staff, adding to his current 10 employees.

“Farmers in this area deserve a dealership that’s built to keep up with them,” Mark Neustaedter, AgWest Brandon’s account manager, said in a news release.

gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com