Service manager Gareth Tyler has been working at O’Connors for just over two-and-a-half years, and while it’s always busy, he says it’s been a rewarding experience.
“The thing I enjoy the most, is the problem solving and achieving good outcomes for customers,” he said.
Mr Tyler said working in Shepparton was great because it was unique and interesting, and there was always something new and challenging to do.
“We're not just broadacre — there’s also horticulture here, there's dairy here, you've got vineyards, you've got all kinds of industry, you know, like intensive animal farming as well,” he said.
“And don't forget our friends over in the hills, all the grass seed blokes over there — just an extensive range of summer croppers.
“Shepparton is a little bit unique in the O’Connors network, that's for sure.”
The diverse nature of the service requirements in the south end of the nation’s food bowl creates an atmosphere of camaraderie as O’Connors staff work to support the farmers keep up with the demands of the season.
“It’s more of a partnership — we need customers, they need mechanics, we work together,” Mr Tyler said.
“They give us a hand, they help out where they can if we need a lift for something or one of the guys gets stuck — the customer shoots back, grabs a tractor and pulls us out.
“It's just a different mentality; we’re all working together to achieve an outstanding result.”
Branch manager Brendan O’Connor said the Shepparton dealership was made up of a team of great staff who were dedicated to ensuring the agricultural equipment of the Goulburn Valley runs seamlessly.
“There's 25 people here in the Shepparton branch and we get on really well. It's a very good group of people,” Mr O’Connor said.