HJV Equipment owners Daniel and Pauline Vander Zaag thanked everyone for coming to the equipment day and BBQ and for the warm reception they had received to the area. Tinkess Photo

WINCHESTER – HJV, Winchester’s newest farm equipment dealer held their equipment introduction day and BBQ on Wed., Sept. 24, 2025, and invited a few of their closest friends over for a few drinks and a bite to eat. It was a small gathering, say about 250 or so, but in comparison to everything else at HJV, it could be described as intimate. They are located at 2491 County Road 31in a big, beautiful building, surrounded by some of the largest pieces of farm equipment I have ever seen in this area, and you could sense while walking through the facility that they have big plans as well. Their vision statement gives it away: “To become the premier specialized agricultural equipment distributor in the world.”

A bit of background on the company: Harry Jacob Vander Zaag is the namesake of HJV, and with his brother he formed HJ Vander Zaag Farms Ltd. three years after emigrating from Holland to Canada in 1949. Harry sold the business to his two sons, Homer and David, in 1990, and the two grew the farm and began the practice of buying local farm equipment dealerships and distributorships, forming HJV Equipment. The company grew over the years, operating in both Canada and the US and moving into a new head office in Alliston. At that time the two brothers separated the farming and equipment business. David Vander Zaag is the President of HJV equipment. In addition to Winchester, they have locations in Alliston, Ontario, Exeter, Ontario, Grand Falls, New Brunswick, Charlottetown, PEI, and Chesaning, Michigan.

The Winchester Facility has drawn a lot of attention as it was being built, due to its size and bright, clean appearance. As some of the Horsch and Claas equipment has started arriving in the past weeks, it has become even more a topic of conversation.

As part of the equipment introduction representatives from first Horsch and then Claas provide some information about their companies.

HORSCH is a leading global manufacturer of innovative agricultural technology and modern solutions for soil cultivation, seeding and plant protection. They were founded in 1984 and state that every single customer with their individual requirements is the focus of their activities. They were founded in Germany, but have a presence in Europe, Eastern Europe, South America and North America. They employ 3,600 people world-wide. In Canada they are based in Saskatchewan and have 21 employees but hope to increase that to 26 by year end.

Claas Brothers, as the company was originally known, was formed in 1913 in East Westphalia. It grew over the years, exporting around the world and adding production facilities in France (1962), Hungary (1997), The US (1999), Russia (2005), China (2014). Along the way they purchased smaller companies, forged partnerships (Caterpillar and Ford) and continued to grow. Now as CLAAS, they have locations around the world, and on Aug. 29, 2025, they broke ground on a 44,800 sq. ft. research and development centre in Omaha, Nebraska. They have 59 dealer/partners in Canada.

David Vander Zaag and his wife Pauline were next called to the front of the room and took a moment to thank everyone for coming. “Just wanted to say a big thank you to all of you customers who’ve dealt with us in this area for many years and we really enjoyed Eastern Ontario, it’s a great area, great farms, great families. And our families are grateful to be able for many being transferred here. So, thank you so much.”

David Vander Zaag was asked how the decision to open a storefront location in Winchester came about, and his answer was quite succinct. We asked the farmers in the area, and we deal with already, and the consensus was, because it’s a great place to be.”

 With the speeches out of the way, the line formed for the buffet style supper, and different pieces of equipment were brought to the large doors on the east side of the building, and a description of their capabilities was given as the meal went on.

With the meal out of the way, people started to disperse, leaving with a good understanding that the choices in agricultural equipment in this area had changed and that there were now more choices than ever.