Page 40 - Grapevine July-August 2019
P. 40
Around The Vineyard
measures, including more ground coverage in less is becoming an ever-dwindling labor pool, shifting
time, fewer fill-ups, easy calibration, low main- instead to more mechanization. Some experts pre-
tenance and cheaper fuel and water costs. The dict a future with so-called “no-touch” vineyards,
sprayers, which come in tank sizes ranging from where every element is handled by machinery.
300 to 600 gallons, can be used for all vertical or
cross arm vineyards. These sprayers are capable One of those industry experts, Gearmore, Inc.,
of handling vineyards of almost any size. has been in business some 50 years and is on top
of this trend. As a farm equipment distributor, the
Progressive has another advantage. The fact company maintains its competitive edge by mon-
that the company’s manufacturing base is right in itoring ever-evolving changes in equipment tech-
Modesto means that its local customers can read- nology most attractive to its customer base and by
ily get equipment parts either directly from the keeping in touch with those customers beyond the
plant or at one of several parts depots throughout point of sale. It is a supplier to a target market that
California, Oregon, Washington and Mexico with includes California, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico,
more parts depots coming in other locations soon. Arizona and Texas. Its global marketing efforts
As for new products, Progressive Ag has its Solar reach into Mexico and Canada.
Blast Solar Panel Washer in production.
Robert Emhoff, Gearmore’s president, describes
One of the largest expenses for vineyards is their the company’s singularly most important con-
labor force. Years ago, a human workforce was tribution to its commercial vineyards that he
a non-negotiable cost for vineyard owners, with believes keeps those customers loyal to his brand.
jobs ranging from pruning, thinning, leaf removal “Gearmore supplies our customers with quality
to actual harvest. Today, there is a trend toward equipment sourced from leading manufacturers
using technology to escape heavy reliance on what throughout the world and backs up these products
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