Herington KanEquip hires new local manager

Aaron Helmer is settling into his new role as store manager at the Herington KanEquip, which he started at the end of May. Kristi Lovett / Free Press

“I’ve dabbled in odds and ends over the years, but it’s always been ag for me,” said Aaron Helmer of Marion.

It’s the passion for the agriculture lifestyle that encouraged him to pursue the sales manager of the KanEquip branch in Herington.

Helmer started his new position in Herington on May 29, transferring there after 17 years at Lang Deisel in Hillsboro, where he also worked as store manager the last few years. His decision to move to KanEquip was not an easy one, but he said he hopes that the transfer will allow him to use his experience and skills to promote growth in the ag business in central Kansas.

In business for more than 50 years with nine locations across Kansas and Nebraska, KanEquip is a leader in the agriculture and light construction equipment industries. The Herington location is a New Holland and Case dealer, and specializes in sales, repairs and parts for agriculture equipment.

“It’s our goal to continue to grow business in the area, exceeding customer expectations and making sure we deliver on our promised value,” Helmer said. “Right now, we are working daily on adjusting parts inventory to better match the needs of our local customers.”

One of Helmer’s first activities as manager was to find and hire a new service manager for the branch to improve the sales department. He found that person in Andy Vandever of Herington, a mechanic and service manager with more than 30 years of experience.

Helmer and his wife, Traci, live in Marion with their two children, a daughter getting ready to start her senior year and a son going into the seventh grade. The family is active in their church and loves any outdoor activities. Their vacations are often planned around places with the best hiking locations.

Although he no longer lives on the family farm, Helmer said he still believes that there are no better people than rural farmers and ranchers.

“The next best thing to farming myself is getting to help the people that still do,” he said.

Helmer invites the community to stop in at KanEquip at 595 N. U.S. Highway 77 in Herington to meet him and the new service manager.