By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — What began as a potato brokerage and packing facility in Caribou nearly 60 years ago, has evolved into a modern showroom and outdoor display of the latest in John Deere equipment and accessories in the Star City, with the opening last year of Theriault Equipment’s new facility at 120 Caribou Rd.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
Current staff at Theriault Equipment include Rick Martin, salesman; and Marvin Ouellette, sales manager.
“The business started around 1952 in Caribou as a potato brokerage/packing facility, with New York Mercantile Exchange trading. Farmers would come in to get the latest market news,” said Lionel Theriault, Jr. owner, noting it was a natural progression to get into the brokerage business, since his father had been a farmer.
“My father farmed briefly. He had 500 acres in Caribou,” said Theriault.
By 1958, the business was incorporated as Theriault Equipment Inc. The company continued to grow, and by the mid-1960s began selling first tires, then tractors.
“In 1965-66, I got into the tire business. Then in 1966 we got into the tractor business, becoming the first Oliver dealer in Caribou,” he said.
Continued growth led the company to move to Presque Isle in the late 1980s.
“Around 1988 we became the John Deere dealer in Presque Isle, located on Davis St. We were at that location for 21 years, until we outgrew the site,” said Theriault.
Theriault said as equipment size grew, it became difficult to get the machines into their existing shop for maintenance or to display them in their yard.
“When tractors began growing in size, we could only fit five to 10 tractors on the lot on Davis St. We needed additional space, with a shop that had bigger doors,” he said.
A shop was constructed about four years ago on the Caribou Rd., according to Theriault, providing space for maintenance of larger pieces of machinery. The parts and sales departments remained on Davis St. until last summer.
“The Davis St. facility was 8,000 square feet. We more than doubled our space with our new building, which measures about 20,000 square feet,” Theriault said.
Theriault is pleased with the new location, which is set up based on strict John Deere guidelines.
“It came out real well. John Deere calls these types (of showrooms) ‘John Deere Place.’ Ours is the second largest one in North America,” he said, noting the difference between his and other showrooms is the amount of merchandise available.
“A lot of the showrooms are smaller because the people running them don’t want to be bothered stocking toys, clothing. But we found, especially over the holidays, that those products are quite popular. Parents have a hard time getting the kids out. They like the toy tractors and everything else,” said Theriault.
In addition to toys, clothing and a multitude of accessories for John Deere products, Theriault Equipment also carries Stihl equipment.
“We took on the Stiel line of chainsaws, trimmers, blowers. We carry everything from toy tractors to field sprayers,” he said.
Theriault Equipment has been named the region’s sole distributor of sprayers, he said.
“We cover all of New England, all the way down to Long Island, for sprayers. Not all dealers can carry them; it’s a separate contract,” Theriault said.
For over 58 years, Theriault has been the driving force behind the successful farm-oriented business. Now the next generation is on the rise, one department at a time.
“My son, Jesse Theriault, is actively involved in the business. He’s working his way through every department. Once he learns all he can about one aspect of the business, he moves on to the next,” he said.
The company employs about 20 people, with plans for that figure to grow over the next few years.
“I’d like to see that number grow by 10 over the next five years,” he said.
Theriault said a lot of money is spent on training staff, bringing them up to date on the latest technology and equipment advancements.
“Being a John Deere service provider requires a lot of training. Technicians are required to earn yearly training credits. A lot of courses can be taken online, but some require going out of state. One of my guys is in New York right now training,” said Theriault, noting the market is “getting competitive.”
“We’re the only John Deere dealer in Aroostook County,” he said.
Theriault credited dedicated employees with the business’s success to date.
“We had a bookkeeper who retired not long ago after 40 years with the company. Marvin (Ouellette, sales manager) has been here over 30 years and Jennifer Cyr, our bookkeeper, has been here over 10 years. Some of our technicians have been here since they got out of school several years ago,” Theriault said.
Repeat customers were also credited for much of the business’s success.
“We have a loyal customer base. People remember use and keep coming back — from all over the County and the state,” said Ouellette. “We’ve worked with many of the farmers here in the County — know what they do and what their needs are.”
Customers can purchase a variety of farm machinery, including tractors, tillage equipment, garden tractors, compact tractors, utility tractors — both 50 and 100 horsepower, rotary cutters, sprayers and John Deere Gators, said Theriault.
“We also can do special orders. If you don’t find it on site, we can order it for you. We also have an online store at our Web site: theriaultequip.com,” said Theriault.
Ouellette said the store also offers sweepstakes from time to time.
“We currently have a sweepstakes with the winners receiving a classic 4020 John Deere tractor customized by Chip Foose or one of three Gator XUV 4×4 utility vehicles. We have in-store promotions like this from time to time for our customers,” said Ouellette.
Theriault said come spring he’s hoping to create an area on the lot to allow customers a chance to try out equipment.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
Staff at Theriault Equipment in Presque Isle have a way of making customers feel at home, whether purchasing a replacement blade for a lawn tractor or John Deere farm-sized machines, greeting all with a friendly smile. Pictured, from left: Darryl Hall, service administrator; Bethany Courchene, floor merchandiser; and Norm Driscoll, parts department.
“We’ll have a demonstration lot in the back, have some trails made in the back so anyone interested in testing a piece of equipment can do so,” said Theriault.
Theriault Equipment has built a solid reputation with the public for quality service and staff.
“People liked my father — said he was real honest. This business is built on honesty,” said Theriault, adding the company still has its coffee machine and welcomes folks to come enjoy a cup with staff. “We used to have a spot where folks could come in and play cribbage. We’re considering maybe doing something like that again.”
Theriault said business has been good since moving into the new facility.
“Customers have said they like what we’ve done. We appreciate their feedback,” said Theriault. “We’re looking forward to many more years of providing quality customer service.”
Business hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“We’re looking to extend those hours in March or April, when the weather warms up and folks begin thinking about gardening or heading out on the farm,” said Theriault.
For more information, call 764-4405.
