The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Mayor declares Wellington Implement Day
Business celebrates 95th anniversary
Wellington Implement, 625 S. Main St., celebrated its 95th anniversary the afternoon of Feb. 20 as Wellington Mayor Hans Schneider proclaimed Wellington Implement Day in the village.
“Wellington Implement is the oldest family-owned and operated business in Wellington, proudly having employed four generations,” Schneider said. “Wellington Implement has faithfully supported the community, its schools and the area’s agricultural programs, and has fostered loyal, long-time customers.”
Willard and Eva Young opened Wellington Implement just before the beginning of the Great Depression in 1929 in a small alley in Wellington, a news release stated.
After Willard Young’s death in 1936, Eva Young was left with the business and a family to look after, the release stated.
But, with the help of friends and family, the business grew to be one of the most active dealerships in the area, according to the release.
“Being part of a business that has this type of a legacy, it’s something pretty special,” said Tom Stannard, president and general manager and great-grandson of Willard and Eva
“Wellington Implement is the oldest family-owned and operated business in Wellington, proudly having employed four generations. Wellington Implement has faithfully supported the community, its schools and the area’s agricultural programs, and has fostered loyal, long-time customers.”
Young. “I think every generation of our family has put their mark on the business in some way and grown it.
“But, at the end of the day, it’s just ours to run for a little while and then set up for success for the next generation.”
Wellington Implement is an equipment retailer, as well as a certified Case IH dealer, specializing mostly in farming and lawncare and aimed at supporting the needs of customers when it comes to purchasing equipment, the website states.
“Back when we started, my great-grandparents were literally crating in horses on farm equipment, and it was International brand of farm equipment,” Stannard said. “That’s been our number one line and our number one brand for 95 years now.”
According to Stannard, the team of employees at not only the Wellington location, but Medina and Ashland as well, are the backbone of the company.
Each person is valued for what their “superpower” is and can thrive in a role where they use that power, he said.
“It’s a family atmosphere that we have here that keeps them (employees) coming back year after year to take care of our customers,” Stannard said. “It takes some fantastic people, and that is really our secret sauce, our team.”
To learn more about Wellington Implement, visit https://www.wellingtonimplement.com/.