Monthly Archives: April 2022

CASS: Equipment Training for Students

At Hugg & Hall, we pride ourselves on not only our high levels of customer service through our parts, rental, and service departments, but also through our training programs. We care about the future of the skilled trade workforce, which is why we offer equipment training and certifications for students who are at least 18 years old. 

High School Students Learn Skilled Trades

“CASS”, a.k.a the Career Academy of Siloam Springs strives to encourage students to become skilled workers before graduating High School. Students in this program are able to complete hands on learning and instructional courses taught by professionals in the business during their High School years. Thanks to the opportunities CASS offers, these students will be able to succeed at having a career in a local manufacturing plant, such as Simmons Foods, or Tyson, immediately after graduation.

CASS works with local companies to provide various kinds of equipment training for their students. Opportunities for students in this program have included courses in welding, HVAC, electrical, and even trucking! Because many students graduate and go on to study at universities, skilled workers and laborers are in short supply. The CASS program encourages change and produce groups of young skilled workers who are excited to learn a skilled trade! 

To learn more about the CASS program, visit their Facebook page, here

Hugg &Hall Hosts CASS for Student Lift Training

The Siloam Springs CASS program has trusted Hugg & Hall to provide equipment training for their students for the last 4 years. Hugg & Hall has also provided student training for programs in Berryville as well as Clarksville for the last several years. At the end of April, ten students attended courses at our Springdale, AR location to be trained on safe forklift and aerial lift operations. Warehouse and manufacturing operations covet these skills from potential workers.

Students attended an in depth instructional course in our training room each morning with professional trainer and certified operator, Bob Hendricks. After their classroom instruction, the students stepped outside to receive hands on forklift operations training and aerial lift training. Thanks to our training department, these students have officially completed and passed the courses. Because of the high standard of quality assurance Hugg & Hall has, the students are able to state to companies that they can safely and certifiably operate these pieces of machinery.

“I love teaching young students! They come into class ready to learn as a blank slate. Sometimes when you teach those who have been in the business for a long time, getting them to unlearn bad habits can be difficult. Students who come into our training sessions are eager to learn and learn the right way.” – Bob Hendricks, trainer

 

Training with Hugg & Hall:

Hugg & Hall provides safety training for all of our equipment in order to keep you and your company OSHA compliant. Our Training Department commits themselves to exceeding OSHA’s stringent requirements; featuring experienced and highly trained instructors. Training is offered on warehouse, yard, and rough terrain forklifts, as well as aerial work platforms, Bobcat Equipment, and pedestrian training.

To learn more and book your next forklift operations training session, check out the Operator Training section of our website:

Equipment Safety Training Certifications – Hugg & Hall Equipment Co. (hugghall.com)

James Burgess Employee Spotlight: 10 Years at Hugg & Hall

As a Product Support Sales Representative (a.k.a. “PSSR”), James Burgess sells parts and labor to the customer on the job site. For many of our customers in the Fort Smith, Arkansas area, he is the face of Hugg and Hall. We had the pleasure to sit down with him as he celebrates being with us for 10 years!

1. Where were you born and raised? Where do you live now?

 

I was born and raised in Eufala, OK. When I was 22 years old, I left our home to go to college, earning my degree in Agriculture Education. I wanted to be a teacher! 

After I graduated, I realized pretty quickly that I didn’t want to teach and became a salesman instead. Along the way, I made my way out here to the Fort Smith area. 

 

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

 

Before I came to Hugg & Hall, I worked for a  business selling uniforms. One of my customers at the time was Hugg and Hall. I am a salesman through and through and I sold myself to Hugg & Hall.

Chris Shields (Vice President of Product Support) gave me an opportunity to work here and I have to say, I have got the best job in the world. I am celebrating 10 years here on April 2nd!

 

3. What does a day in the life of a PSSR look like?

 

Most days, I am on the street or talking to customer before 7:30A.M. Typically I am walking in 10-15 doors a day to speak with our customers.

My goal is to always be the first one a customer calls. Sometimes, you can get upwards of 120 calls a day, and I gladly welcome all of them.

The work definitely ebbs and flows. Some days it’s slow and others there’s not enough of you to go around! More than anything, every day I sell value of what we here at Hugg & Hall bring to the table.

 

4. The best part, or your favorite thing, about working for Hugg & Hall?

 

In 10 years of working here, I haven’t ever had a day that’s duplicated itself. It’s different every day around here. 

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

My goodness, there are too many great moments I have had here to pick just one.

I will say this though, I love watching the process. It truly takes all of us to make the wheel turn here at Hugg & Hall. We all rely on each other and trust that each person is going to do their part all with the customer in mind. 

 

6. What do you like to do in your free time?

Woodworking! Also, I just bought 57 acres and will be doing stocker cattle.

7. What is an interesting or random fact about you people may not know?

At one time, I paid the bills as a rodeo announcer. 

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

“Life is on.” I’ve had to be still for a long time. I have gotten myself to where I can move and shake and I’m never gonna be still again.

What people are saying about James:

“When I first met James 10 years ago, I found out that equipment repairs were not, as James would say “his wheel house”. He went head-first into his new position wholeheartedly. He is quick to learn and knows what customer service is about. James has learned, and retained, what is needed in his job and is second to none in his performance.

He has indeed sold some unusual items over the years that are not related to equipment repairs, for instance, catchers masks for one of our poultry customers, step ladders (enough to reach the moon), pink trash cans, 800 lbs. of rock salt (snow storm for melting ice), stainless steel spaghetti colanders (to weigh chicken) and a host of other items. Our customers know if there is something they need, if anyone can supply it, James is the man to get it done.

James knows that we as a company have to make a profit, he also knows we have to be fair with the customer. He is the perfect mix of the guy in the middle in a marketplace where we are not the least expensive lift truck company in town. We are the best and I’ve heard him tell customers “There’s one thing you don’t get with the other guys, and, that’s James Burgess”.  -Holand Purifoy

 

CONGRATULATIONS ON 10 YEARS, JAMES! We appreciate you! 

To read more of our employee spotlights, check them out here! 

Employee Spotlights Archives – Hugg & Hall (hugghall.com)

Employee Spotlight: Treanaka Darensburg

Meet Treanaka Darensburg! 

Treanaka Darensburg is a Field Service Coordinator in our New Orleans/Destrehan service department and we love having her on our team. We enjoyed asking Treanaka a few questions and learning about what she likes to do away from work. 

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

I was born in what is called the Westbank- Avondale, Marrero, Harvey and Gretna, Louisiana. I currently live in Reserve, LA, outside of New Orleans.

How long have you been with Hugg & Hall? 

I have been with Hugg & Hall since October 2019. I started in Accounts Payable/Receivable with Scott Equipment 15 years ago. When an Office Manager position became available on the Toyota Material Handling side I jumped at the opportunity. Once Hugg & Hall and Scott Equipment traded product lines, I became a Field Service Coordinator for Hugg & Hall. I have been in this position for the last two years.

What does a day in the life of a Field Service Coordinator look like?

I start the morning off dispatching our technicians. Then I work on opening and preparing work orders for closing and sending out to customers. I also work on Parts Cart Requests and Recommended Repair forms. My day also involves sending out quotes and handling customer calls and emails. Oh, and lets not forget about doing invoices and receivers for Bill Pay. Just to name a few!  

The best part, or your favorite thing, about working for Hugg & Hall?

The people I work with.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I like to relax and travel in my free time.

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

I used to sing in the church choir. I can’t sing at all but I loved it!

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

“No One Owes You Anything”. People tend to think that others owe you something. I feel that anything you do should be done from your heart. Everything you get, you should work for and earn. So instead of feeling owed, you would feel satisfied and content knowing what you accomplished.

To get to know some of our other coworkers, visit our past employee spotlights!

2023 Update: Treanaka has been promoted to Parts Operation Manager! We can’t wait to see what her future with Hugg & Hall holds!

Hugg & Hall Equipment Company Announces Acquisition Of Southern Material Handling Company

Dealership Expands to Provide Full Line of Equipment Needs to Eastern Oklahoma

LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS – April 1, 2022Hugg & Hall Equipment Company, a leading industrial and construction equipment provider in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Missouri and Texas today announced the acquisition of Southern Material Handling Company of eastern Oklahoma.

“When I made the decision to retire, I knew that I would only consider selling to Hugg & Hall Equipment” says Mark Segress, President and CEO of Southern Material Handling. “I have known John Hugg and Robert Hall for many years and have a great deal of respect for them as individuals and business owners. Their team has built Hugg & Hall into one of the largest and most successful dealerships in the country. I’m excited for our team to join Hugg & Hall and grow in their careers. I know our customers will continue to receive the very best service available. They will have the opportunity to learn about the vast array of products offered by Hugg & Hall to improve their material handling efficiencies.”

Headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Southern Material Handling began in 1948 as the first forklift dealership in the state of Oklahoma and now represents Toyota Material Handling equipment for eastern Oklahoma. SMH is engaged in the sales of new and used material handling equipment, as well as rental equipment, parts and service.  This acquisition will allow Hugg & Hall to expand its Toyota presence to include the entire state of Oklahoma.

“We are very excited to add eastern Oklahoma to our Toyota territory.” says Robert Hall, Vice President of Hugg & Hall Equipment Company.  “Southern Material Handling has had an excellent reputation for many years.  We will continue that passion for an unequalled customer experience. The addition of more products and services that we offer will add value to our customers, making them even more competitive in their specific industry.”

Hugg & Hall Equipment Company has represented the Toyota brand since 1994, expanding its territory most recently in 2019 to service customers in Louisiana. In addition to Toyota, Southern Material Handling also represents Tennant Cleaning Solutions and Kelly Warehouse Dock Solutions. With the Southern Material Handling acquisition, Hugg & Hall Equipment will now have a team of over 700 employees and 18 locations across Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Missouri and Texas.

About Hugg & Hall

Hugg & Hall Equipment Company, headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas, has been family owned and operated since 1956. The company is a full-service dealer for material handling equipment, representing Toyota, Taylor, Doosan, Crown (Arkansas only) Enersys, Combilift, Sellick, Bobcat, and more. Hugg & Hall provides comprehensive material handling solutions including new & used equipment, parts and service support and a fleet of over 3000 rental forklifts.  The company is also one of the largest construction and industrial equipment rental providers in the south, with a fleet of over 12,000 rental units. With value-added services and a focus on their customers, Hugg & Hall Equipment Company is the one-stop shop for every construction and industrial equipment need.

For more information about Hugg & Hall Equipment Company, please contact John Hugg, President, at john.hugg@hugghall.com.