posted on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in News

January 30^th, 2025 -

A 60-year legacy sets a solid foundation for the future in Stouffville.

In 1964, the newly introduced John Deere 4020, one of the brand’s most popular and iconic tractors, was beginning to make waves in Canada. That same year, the John Deere 110 lawn mower, styled similar to the 4020 was gaining popularity and successfully launching Deere into lawn and garden business in Canada as well.

It was also in 1964 that Keith Hutchinson, began selling John Deere tractors and equipment from the driving shed on his 100-acre farm near the corner of the Seventh Line (now McCown Rd) and Bethesda Side Rd (a concession north and west of Stouffville). The popularity of the ‘new generation’ 4- and 6- cylinder tractors encouraged John Deere to continue to expand its dealer network in Ontario, enlisting progressive farmers and businessmen in the rural areas to take on the brand well through the 1960s and 70s.

“Bill Warden was the John Deere Territory Manager at the time, he’s who got dad signed up as a dealer,” say Joyce Johnson, Keith’s daughter. “I remember Bill seemed to regularly call-in on Dad mid-day, because he knew it often meant an invite for lunch…I remember Bill really liked Mom’s cooking,” says Joyce.

Keith operated from the farm shop for two years before purchasing the land from his brother-in-law in 1966 and moving to the existing location on Hwy 48, a kilometer north of Bloomington Rd.

“I can remember it was quite a thing when we moved here,” recalls Joyce “we were just young kids.” Like many entrepreneurs the blend of home and work very much overlapped – as the original building was built to have the business on the main floor and their family home on the second floor. “Poor dad didn’t have much relief with the business downstairs, and us girls upstairs,” says Joyce (referring to her mother Mary, and her three sisters Lois, Kathy and Elaine. Eldest, son Ron, had already moved out and become a police officer).

Current day, if you’re granted a backstage pass, it’s not hard to find hallowed remnants of the original home - the admin area, the second-floor boardroom featuring an original fireplace, and just down the hall, through the old galley kitchen, a pristine washroom captured in time with fixtures and colours right out of the 60’s. The place has character in spades.

Not long after establishing the new location, a turf shop and storage was added behind the main building. The business continued to grow, riding the wave of excitement with the introduction of more John Deere ‘consumer products’ like snowmobiles, walk-behind mowers, and snowblowers and in 1977 the current showroom was added to the front of the building.

In 1986 Bob Armstrong and his wife Betty, local farmers and customers took over ownership of Hutchinson Farm Supply with Bob assuming the role of General Manager. The relationship between Bob and Keith spanned a couple of generations beginning with Lloyd Armstrong (Bob’s father) who farmed and was a customer as well.

“Keith handed me the keys around Christmas time of ’85, and we announced it publicly to customers with John Deere’s blessing at our John Deere Day in February of ‘86, and the rest is history,” says Bob with his modest grin.

Under Bob’s humble leadership the dealership had several notable successes earning several John Deere’s top awards (President’s Club and Outstanding Achievement in Consumer and Commercial Equipment) and an expansion of the service shop in the early 1990s.

“The year that the 9500 [combine] was introduced, we sold nine of them! That was the most by any dealer in Canada, which was pretty cool,” says Bob. “We had a number of unique deals that I remember well too,” most notable a 23- tractor deal to a single operation and 55 Gators sold in one year to cities and townships in the region.

In January of this year, Bob and Betty were presented a 60^th Anniversary award from John Deere. When asked, what has been the key to the success and longevity, Bob replies “Taking care of our customers, consistently being there for them. We have tried to maintain a solid parts business and have appreciated the support from our customers. They have always stayed with us. I’ve really enjoyed working with them over the years.”

Reflecting further, “What I am most proud of is our employees, some who have been with us for a long time, and I am very thankful for,” shares Bob.

Of that group, count Elaine Hope (nee Hutchinson) who has been involved with the dealership since she was in high school. Elaine has been at the core of the administration and accounting functions for more than 44 years. Joyce Johnson (nee Hutchinson) started by helping at the dealership as a teenager as well, left after several years to start and raise a family, but returned over a dozen years later to help the dealership with advertising, accounting and service warranty. Ron Dike, Parts Manager, has been a trusted resource on the parts counter for customers for over 47 years and Ron Hope has been a relied-on technician for the dealership for nearly 44 years as well.

“This place has been about community,” says Elaine. “We have lots of fond memories of John Deere Days, and other customer events. The shop would have a couple hundred people here to see the Farming Frontiers video from Deere.” Hutchinson’s also attended many community events from local producer meetings to larger events like Markham Fair. “This place has been about connections too, I met my husband here,” she says with a smile.

As the dealership transitions to Premier Equipment in February, Bob, Betty, Joyce, and Ron Dike have announced their retirement. A customer appreciation day and retirement celebration was hosted on January 25th. The event was attended by over 250 customers, current and former staff members.

“We intend to build on the foundation of service and dedication that Bob, and his team have established over the last 60 years,” says Allan Dueck, President of Premier Equipment. “We look forward to the opportunity to share resources and begin the next chapter of John Deere equipment and support for customers in the Stouffville area.”

“I’m happy,” says Bob. “I’m happy that someone is going to carry it on. It’s been good to get to know Premier better as we’ve worked on the transition, and I’m confident and excited for customers and our staff.”

Our congratulations and thanks go out to Bob and Betty for the legacy of service to customers and the John Deere brand. Premier along with the great team in Stouffville are committed to continue their efforts.