News: Owen – Owen Implement Customer Appreciation (Mar 1977)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Niemi, Anders, Jankee, Norks, Horn, Hempleman

---------Source: Owen Enterprise (Owen, Clark County, Wis.) 30 Mar 1977

More than 125 people attended the 1st Annual Customer Appreciation Night last Friday, March 25, 1977 at the Owen Implement according to manager Jerry Anders. The program started at 8:00 p.m. and there were people still there at around 11:30 to visit and see the machinery on display.

Two representatives from the John Miller Supply Co., Inc., of St. Nazianz, Wisconsin were on hand to visit with the customers and talk about the “SAME” tractors. A number of different SAME models were in the lots outside for the customers to see. The John Mill Co., Inc. is the Northern American Distributor for all SAME tractors and their parts in a seven state district.

Customers who attended were served refreshments of tap beer, coffee and the makings for sandwiches, cheeses, lunch meat, crackers and bread. These were served by hostesses, Mrs. Allen (June) Niemi and Mrs. Jerry (Diane) Anders.

In the area around Owen and Withee five SAME tractors have been sold by Jerry Anders, with the first one sold in the area to David Jankee. The first one sold was an 80 horse Panther model. Three were sold to the following: Mike Norks, a 60 horse, four wheel model 70; Kenneth Horn of Willard, a Model 80; and Edward Hempelman Sr. of Thorp, a Model 90.

The SAME is an Italian made tractor, and all models have air cooled diesel engines.

The Owen Implement also sells Leyland an English tractor. They have sold at least forty such tractors in the area. Owen Implement manager, Jerry Anders, has been in the business for about a year and a half, having celebrated his first anniversary in October 1976. About the appreciation night, Jerry said, “We drew the people we wanted to draw, and we hope that we can now fill their needs.”