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Monthly Archives: September 2021

Meet Darren Hebert: New Product Support Manager

Meet Darren Hebert!

Darren has been with Hugg & Hall since October of 2019 and started with us as a Service Manager. Starting October 1, he will be serving us as Product Support Manager in our Baton Rouge, Louisiana location. Darren brings a great amount of industry experience,  outstanding professional skills, and a passion for the employees here at Hugg & Hall. We are so excited to see all the great things he is going to do in his new position! 

Where were you born/raised? Where do you live now?

I was born and raised just south of Houma, Louisiana in a small town called Bourg. Oddly enough, my family owns property in the back of the Hugg & Hall location down there and that’s where I spent a good bit of my free time hunting and riding dirt bikes. Later in life, after I completed my 8 year military career in the Navy, I moved to Baton Rouge to pursue careers other than what the oilfield had to offer.

How long have you been at Hugg & Hall? If you started in a different position, tell us how you got here.

I started with Scott Equipment in 2013 and made the transition to Hugg & Hall in October 2019 carrying on as Service Manager.

What is the best part (your favorite thing) about working for Hugg & Hall?

There are so many things that I love about Hugg & Hall, but if I were to pick just one, I would have to say the most obvious is the eagerness to grow. From day one I have been impressed at how some is never enough. There has never been a time that anyone has said no to making improvements or trying to do better for our customers or our employees. Hugg & Hall continues to push forward even in the darkest moments of hurricanes, the pandemic, etc. The support that we as employees get from the upper management and ownership of this company stands out far greater than anyone could ever expect.

Do you have a favorite memory of your time here at Hugg & Hall?

One of my favorite memories here at Hugg & Hall was the announcement that we were going to move into a newer facility that would be home to all departments at one location. One of the most valuable things here at this location, is that all departments work and help each other without conflict

or forced obligation. The definition of being a TEAM is valued by all and is thoroughly embraced. A bond between departments has been formed and thrives to get stronger as we grow for the future.

What are you most excited about in your new position as Product Support Manager?

My focus has always been to make things run smoother not just for the Service Department, but for ALL departments involved. To be in a position that is designed to encourage that even more and to increase the growth of the company by being a bigger part of the operation is very exciting. The challenge of the daily operations for anyone is how well you make a positive impact that ultimately gets you positive results.

What is an interesting random fact about you that people may not know?   

Most folks don’t know that I am a Reserve Sheriff’s Deputy with the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office and have been for the past 14 years. I have volunteered to serve my country and now this is what I do to serve my community. I’ve spent 10 years in uniform patrol, 2 years executing warrants and I currently serve as a Firearms Instructor with the Sheriff’s training department helping new recruits and ongoing in-service training for seasoned deputies.

Tell us your favorite quote and what it means to you.

John F Kennedy said, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country”. This quote inspires me in so many ways and those folks that know me can tell you that I implement it in everyday life. A positive, selfless act to help others is so rewarding.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Free time? What’s that? If there is such a thing, I do like to Sport Clay shoot, deer hunt and go on the occasional motorcycle ride with my wife, Carrie, in the mountain areas of Tennessee.

The Future in Equipment Training

Earlier this month, the Fayetteville Public Library in Fayetteville, AR opened the J.B. & Johnelle Hunt Family Center for Innovation. This space provides patrons with free and public access to technology and educational resources. The Center for Innovation stems from the 2020 expansion of the library, which added more than 5,000 square feet to the building. The new space offers access to workforce simulation, virtual reality, audio/video production and editing, and a robotics/fabrication lab.

The Crossland Companies Simulation Lab offers training on equipment such as large trucks, hydraulic excavators, and forklifts. These simulators offer a similar experience as hands-on training. Participants are able to log hours and then use those hours towards their certification. These simulators allow library goers to learn various trades and gain valuable knowledge that can launch them into the workforce.

Will this make a difference in the equipment training world? Absolutely. These simulators allow more people to gain training. This training allows for more efficient starting employees and less time spent on onsite training. Geared towards teens and those interested in heavy equipment, the opportunity to learn these skills come at a much earlier age.

The world needs tradesmen and the simulation lab gives people the opportunity to try out these machines and see if these fields of work are right for them- free of cost. With the construction boom currently happening, there are plenty of opportunities to come.

The library is already working on adding more simulators in the future to allow training on other pieces of equipment. A tool rental center/shop is in the works as well, with hopes to open in late 2022.

How Hugg & Hall is Meeting Toyota Standards Through ASEC Certification

Congratulations to the Muskogee branch for being the newest ASEC-certified Hugg & Hall branch!

In order to comply with the high standards that Toyota Material Handling expects of their dealers, Hugg & Hall Equipment Company has implemented changes to our parts and service processes.

What is ASEC?

Toyota requires that their dealers abide by the After Sales Service Evaluation & Certification (ASEC) program. ASEC is Toyota’s method of promoting their organizational philosophy of kaizen. Kaizen is a philosophy which encourages continuous improvement, in small steps, throughout all members of an organization. 

The ASEC program promotes Toyota’s goal of providing improved operational quality and excellent customer service through accuracy, caring, and trust, throughout their entire dealer network. ASEC is a method of differentiating Toyota from competitors by expecting their dealers to consistently deliver high-quality service and steady operational procedures that align with Toyota’s standards. 

How has Hugg & Hall implemented ASEC?

Tracey Gibbs, Corporate Parts Manager at Hugg & Hall, spoke on some of the changes the company is implementing and why they are important to the entire organization. 

“In 2019, Hugg & Hall implemented the ASEC program in Oklahoma City and El Dorado,” said Gibbs. “Our Springdale branch was certified in October of that same year. The Fort Smith branch was certified in August of 2021, and our Baton Rouge branch was certified in January 2023.

“ASEC has given us a whole new culture that puts us at a higher level of professionalism. From our parts warehouses, to our service shops, to our facilities, we have become more organized, productive, and efficient. We have done it all in service of our customers.”

Many of the changes involve shop and warehouse organization to meet ASEC standards. See examples below: 

How Hugg & Hall is Meeting Toyota Standards Through ASEC Certification How Hugg & Hall is Meeting Toyota Standards Through ASEC Certification

How Hugg & Hall is Meeting Toyota Standards Through ASEC Certification How Hugg & Hall is Meeting Toyota Standards Through ASEC Certification

Hugg & Hall is proud to have met Toyota’s high standards in six of our branches! We look forward to successfully attaining ASEC certification at more branches in the future. 

Members of the Hugg & Hall OKC branch proudly accepting their ASEC certification

Members of the Oklahoma City, OK branch proudly accepting their ASEC certification.

Members of the Fort Smith, AR branch proudly accepting their ASEC certification.

How Hugg & Hall is Meeting Toyota Standards Through ASEC Certification

Members of the El Dorado, AR branch proudly accepting their ASEC certification.

Members of the Springdale, AR branch proudly accepting their ASEC certification.

Members of the Baton Rouge, LA branch proudly accepting their ASEC certification.

 

 

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in 2021. We updated it for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness in March 2024. 

Joey Baker: Promoted to Regional Sales Manager

Meet our newest Regional Sales Manager, Joey Baker!

Joey was born and raised in Russellville, Arkansas. Once graduated from high school, he attended Arkansas Tech for two years before joining the Marine Corps. After serving for six years he completed his Bachelor’s degree at the University of Arkansas. Joey began his career with Hugg & Hall in 2007 as a Product Support Sales Representative in our Springdale branch, from there he was promoted in 2011 to an Industrial Truck Salesman and earned his current promotion in June of this year. He is now the Regional Sales Manager for all of Oklahoma as well as our Ft Smith and Springdale territories. 

In a typical day, Joey can be found sourcing new and used equipment for his customers. While every day looks a little different for him, being able to understand the customers needs and satisfying those needs accordingly is a constant in his routine. One of the best parts of working at Hugg & Hall for Joey is being able to build long-lasting and meaningful relationships with our customers.

When he’s not working, Joey enjoys spending time with his wife, Stephanie, and daughter, Scarlett. You can also catch him enjoying the outdoors any chance he gets- hunting and fishing are some of his favorite activities. Joey is no stranger to any genre of music, but especially enjoys country and red dirt country. He’ll take you up on any tickets to listen to some live music!

Hugg & Hall would like to say a big thank you Joey for his many years with the company and a congratulations on the promotion! We look forward to continue to watch him grow! 

& More

Our ampersand means more!

With over 60 years in the equipment industry, “& MORE” has become our specialty. We are more than sales, rental, parts & service – we are Hugg & Hall.

& MORE Our CULTURE allows employees to work together and create comprehensive solutions for customers. Without support from peers, the specialized equipment and product support that Hugg & Hall has become known for would be impossible to provide.

& MORE Formed in 1956, Hugg & Hall has a HISTORY that other companies strive to reach. With equipment brands and relationships that surpass industry standards we truly make our customers’ needs our own. Each year we continue to receive awards from our distributors and partners that reflect the true efforts of our team. 

& MORE Our company has a strong VISION that through team leadership, teamwork & dedication we can achieve any goal. This is possible by providing products & services to our customers; opportunity & enrichment from our employees; & value to our suppliers.