Greetings!
Welcome to 2012!
A new year brings new changes, hopes, and yes, those dreaded resolutions. At Cahaba Tractor, we resolve to bring you another year of great service and value. Now that's a resolution we know we can keep!
This year, we celebrate a special anniversary for our most trusted brand of tractor: Kubota. 2012 marks 40 successful years that Kubota Corporation has been selling products in the United States. Read the history of this long-term company in Kubota Celebrates 40 Years in the U.S. and see why it has remained strong all these years. Also, in honor of the occasion, we highlight Cahaba Tractor Manager Dale Gamble in Meet Our Staff. Be sure to read what he believes is the reason for Cahaba Tractor's success.
Finally, we omitted the Here's Mud in Your Eye joke this month to bring you some old words of wisdom for the new year.
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Kubota Celebrates 40 Years
in the U.S.
The year 2012 marks an important milestone for Kubota Corporation. The Japanese-owned company celebrates 40 years of selling the popular tractor brand in the United States. Kubota Tractor Corporation, based in Torrance, California, has sold over 1.5 million units since its inception in 1972.
Kubota Corporation of Japan was founded in 1890 by 19 year-old Gonshiro Kubota, an iron caster and inventor, who never lost sight of his goal of "doing something good for the country." He sought to produce machinery and equipment that was innovative and environmentally friendly, while also giving back to the community. the company began as a steel weights and piping manufacturer and grew rapidly to include machine mechanization and engines. In 1931, Kubota attempted to compete in the western-dominated automobile industry, but after several unsuccessful attempts to take on Ford and other U.S. car makers, the company shares were then transferred to Tobata Casting Co., Ltd. Today, it is known as Nissan Motors Company, Ltd.
At the end of WWII, the company contributed to the reconstruction of Japan with the development of agriculture machinery. Just two years later, the first Kubota farm cultivator was produced. In response to the growing demand for the popular equipment, Kubota placed a major emphasis on customer service. In 1969, the first Kubota rider-driven tractor was introduced to the U.S.
The 122 year-old company has grown from humble beginnings in the corner of an old tenement house in Osaka, Japan, to a globally competitive corporation that services more than 130 countries. Kubota Corp. is recognized, not only for a superior product, but also for its continued commitment to customer service and training.
Cahaba Tractor Manager Dale Gamble sees the similarity in Kubota and Cahaba Tractor's reputation for unbeatable customer service. "Kubota is all about customer service, just like we are at Cahaba Tractor," said Gamble. Each year, Kubota sends representatives from Japan to dealers around the country to meet and talk with customers and get feedback on equipment they've purchased. The company then takes that information, as well as opinions from employees, to improve and re-design the products.
Kubota engines are known for their reliability and durability and have been used to power many other machines, including generators, refrigeration trucks and motorcycles. Cahaba Tractor mechanic Kenny McMurry is a firm believer in the Kubota engine. "Kubota is not just an orange tractor," he stated. "it's a good engine that lasts. That's why so many other types of machines use the Kubota engine."
Today, Kubota is busy at work in the U.S. constructing a new compact tractor production plant in Jefferson, Georgia. The new plant is located at the existing site of Kubota Industrial Equipment Corporation to integrate the two operations and improve production efficiency and delivery.
Whatever new developments Kubota Corp. takes on, Gamble of Cahaba Tractor stands firm in the reputation and reliability of the Kubota brand--and he's got many satisfied customers to prove it. "We've got the best product on the market," he added. "You've got to believe in what you're selling in order to successfully do so. And, we do believe in the Kubota brand."
As evidenced by Kubota's continued growth and success, plenty of customers feel the same way.
For more info on the history of Kubota Corporation, visit the
Kubota Virtual Museum.
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Words of Wisdom for 2012
In honor of the new year, here's some words of wisdom from a 1909 calendar by Bishop John H. Vincent:
A Resolve for Every Morning of the New Year
I will this day try to live a
simple, sincere, and serene life
repelling promptly every thought of
discontent, anxiety,
discouragement, impurity
and self-seeking,
cultivating cheerfulness, magnanimity, charity,
and the habit of holy silence,
exercising economy in expenditure,
carefulness in conversation,
diligence in appointed service,
fidelity to every trust,
and a child-like trust in God.
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This year, and every year, we promise to keep our resolution to you. You can always expect that we will exceed your expectations of us. Here's to another great year ahead!
Sincerely,
Cahaba Tractor Co.
2411 Hwy. 31 South
Pelham, AL 35124
(205) 663-1470
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Contact Us:Cahaba Tractor Co.
2411 Hwy 31. South
Pelham, AL 35124
(205) 663-1470
Hours: 8:00am-5:00pm M-F
8:00am-12:00pm Sat.
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| The saying goes, "like father like son." Cahaba Tractor Manager Dale Gamble would consider that to be a huge compliment. The son of Cahaba Tractor founder Jim Gamble, Dale has some pretty big shoes to fill. "All the knowledge and skill I have, I learned from Dad," admits Dale, who started out assembling tractors and worked his way up to management. "I've worked with Dad my whole life. If it wasn't for him and God, I wouldn't be in the position I'm in right now."
After Cahaba Tractor's 33 successful years in business, it's easy to see everything that's been passed down from father to son is definitely working. "Dad always said that in order to be successful in business, you have to hang around successful people," Dale added. He attributes the true success of Cahaba Tractor to the employees. "I'm very, very proud of the employees we have," he said. "They are all willing to help in any way--even if it means staying past their normal shift."
That strong work ethic, combined with unbeatable customer service, has resulted in Cahaba Tractor receiving one of the highest ratings in customer satisfaction, according to Kubota customer surveys.
The frequent calls and emails from satisfied customers speak volumes. The weekly customer calls range from compliments about employees, like delivery driver Allen Morris on his knowledge and helpfulness, to the honesty of the staff. In one instance, a grateful customer was happy to get $100 cash returned when he mistakenly overpaid for a service job. These are the kind of experiences that keep Cahaba Tractor customers coming back, time and again. "That honesty, in everything we do, sets us apart from other dealerships," said Dale. "At Cahaba Tractor, we know how to treat people and that has worked well for our business--which is really more like a family than a business."
While Cahaba Tractor employees excel in customer service, they are also very knowledgeable about their products. "Our people are very educated in what they do," he said, explaining that Kubota holds yearly training classes for employees and sends corporate representatives to get ideas from staff on new and current products.
As for products, it's more than evident that Dale believes in what he sells. "We've got the best products on the market and we believe in them," said Dale, who points to Cahaba Tractor's inventory, which is the largest in central Alabama. That inventory includes every tractor and implement needed for working a farm--from the smallest, right up to hundreds of acres.
Outside his Cahaba Tractor family, Dale enjoys spending time on his farm with his wife Beth and daughter Kaitlyn, as well as his extended family and grandchildren. He also enjoys hunting and traveling. Dale is Associate Pastor of Oasis of Praise Church in McCalla and is the President of End Times Ministries, which helps underprivileged children in other nations. "My heart yearns for the kids who have no choice or opportunity," he said. "To be able to show them that there is a God who has a plan for them is rewarding."
Dale's life plan can be summed up in some wise words spoken to him from his dad: "Son, I'm not smarter than you, I'm just older." Dale's reply? "It took me a while to figure out what he meant from that," he said, with a grin.
With age comes wisdom. Like father, like son. |
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