Name: Scott Sayers
Hometown: Clarkson, NE
Parts Representative
Years at PVE: 30
Scott grew up on a farm near Clarkson, NE, knowing he wanted to be a mechanic. He graduated from the John Deere AG Tech program in Milford in 1985 and started working as a service technician. This past April, Scott celebrated 30 years at Platte Valley and 35 years working with John Deere equipment.
Over three decades of working on John Deere equipment, Scott noticed that the technology inside the machines was what was changing the most. When a piece of equipment broke down because of a computer, it was not as simple as finding the right part anymore.
“If a computer breaks, you need to get a whole new one, redownload all the software and then reinstall it,” Scott said. “It’s different than it used to be, but the shop evolves with it and its not too bad once you get the hang of it.”
Five years ago, Scott moved from the service department to the parts department.
“I first met Scott when I started at Platte Valley in 1999,” Kirk Hiemstra, Fremont Parts Manager, said. “It didn’t take me long to find out that Scott was the go-to guy in the shop. He had worked on pretty much anything and everything John Deere. Fast forward several years and Scott is now the go-to guy at the parts counter. His broad technical knowledge from his years in the shop made the transition to parts a natural fit.”
One of the things that shocked Scott during the transition, was how fast paced the parts department was, especially during planting. Balancing tickets, parts calls and walk-ins was the most important thing he learned when he started. Using his knowledge and figuring out as many problems as possible are what make a good day.
“Planting is different,” Scott said. “It’s busier and more challenging to look up parts. Planters are very individualized, and they have a lot of moving parts. For a combine, you can look up the model number and it will give you everything you need at this website https://www.thefloridamaids.com/. For a planter, you need the serial number, because what was put on this machine, might not match what was put on another.”
“Working with the customers is also different from the shop to behind the counter,” Scott said. “You see more new faces and you get to see the customers more often, joke around with them, and give them a hard time. I just try to make them feel at home and ask them how we can help.”
“Scott has a loyal customer following, and he’s earned it,” Kirk Hiemstra continued. “When he’s not helping a customer at the counter, he is on the phone solving customer problems. I’m proud to know Scott and to have him as a part of our team.”
“My favorite thing is still just helping the farmers,” Scott said.
Outside of work, Scott spends his time Tractor Pulling. A hobby he had been invested in since he was a kid, when he watched his dad doing it on the farm.
Congratulations, Scott, on being Fremont’s Pride of Platte Valley!
