What company sells automated John Deere tractors, automated irrigation systems, and is the largest potato producer in the United States? It’s North Dakota-based RDO Equipment, which also has a subsidiary branch in Santa Maria.
The local company is actually called RDO Water, which mostly specializes in selling, renting, designing, and installing automated irrigation systems. John Deere tractors aren’t sold here, though.
RDO Water is growing rapidly in the Santa Maria Valley and is currently in the process of moving into a newer facility on Evora Way, which is just off Betteravia west of Santa Maria.
“It’ll probably be one of those all-hands-on-deck things to get it done,” said Cassandra Durler, the store manager. “We’re on a tight schedule because we have to move out 100 percent by the end of the month.”
In fact, Durler told the Sun that the company was relying on temp workers to get the job done of moving out of the old facility, but it almost seemed like it wasn’t enough. Most of the work was simply moving inventory and equipment from one place to another.
The new facility is an upgrade that’s three times bigger than the old facility at 222 N. Blosser—from 5,000 to 15,000 square feet.
“The water side’s just gotten way too big for the facility we’re in,” Durler said.
Quality of service isn’t sacrificed just because RDO is getting bigger, Durler said. Walk-ins are still greeted with Durler’s friendly smile, at least a few times each week. She splits her time between managing RDO’s Santa Maria and Oxnard facilities.
The store’s tripled in outdoor storage at the new facility as well. This means more rentals for forklifts, tractors, and other heavy equipment. It also means more inventory for John Deere tractors and Pellenc grape harvesters. RDO is also a retailer for Vermeer tractors.
According to the company’s website, RDO Equipment is a family-owned business with at least 70 locations worldwide, including Australia and Ukraine. Ron Offutt, a potato farmer from Minnesota, began the company in the late 1960s when he purchased a John Deere dealership in North Dakota. Now the company is the largest retailer of John Deere tractors, according to Durler.
Christi Offutt, Ron Offutt’s daughter, currently heads the company as its chief executive and chief operations officer.
Not only does RDO sell tractors and automated irrigation equipment, but it just so happens that the company is the largest potato producer in the U.S., according to potatopro.com, a website touting itself to be the “number one online information source for the global potato industry.”
Durler says the company’s potatoes are used in several familiar products, including Lay’s potato chips and McDonald’s french fries.
RDO Water’s new facility in Santa Maria is located at 2221 Evora Way. For more information, call 614-7799.
Highlights
• Keller Williams Realty in Santa Maria announced on July 27 that it named Stacy Avila Ruiz as their new market center administrator and chief financial officer. Her experience includes a stint as a certified escrow officer and a position working as an accountant and bookkeeper for another real estate company. In her new position, Ruiz will be responsible for accounting and financial record keeping and overseeing staff in administrative operations. Keller Williams is located at 204 E. Enos Drive in Santa Maria. For more information, call 310-5170.
• Santa Barbara enthusiasts of the Tesla Motors Model S electric car will now be able to buy one at home. The company announced on July 27 that a grand opening ceremony will be held on July 31 and Aug. 1 for a new sales and service center at 400 Hitchcock Way. Debuting in 2012, Tesla Motors touts the Model S as the “fastest-accelerating four-door vehicle ever built” and can travel 270 miles on a single charge. The car retails for around $70,000.
Staff Writer David Minsky wrote this week’s Biz Spotlight. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, email, or mail.
This article appears in Jul 30 – Aug 6, 2015.