T. J. ROYAL
The Montana Tractors era in Tarboro began this month, when the Arkansas tractor manufacturer put people to work in the former corporate headquarters of Farmtrac North America.
Ted Wade, Montana Tractors co-owner and vice chairman, said the company's employees went to work on Dec. 3 at its office on 111 Fairview Drive. Right now, 15 people are at work. He is reviewing 150 applications taken for additional positions.
Wade said interviews are taking place to fill various positions at the plant, including production, shipping and distribution workers, as well as managers. A sign outside the company's Tarboro office door said no more applications are being taken.
The employment process will be completed in "phases," Wade said, and he did not estimate how many people ultimately would be hired in Tarboro.
"This is not a day one you bought it, day two you have" the same level of workplace activity as the offices had at the beginning of the year, Wade said.
About 180 Farmtrac employees were laid off in January, when the company went into receivership.
"We're going to (employ workers) on our schedule, very methodically, because, frankly, it's business. We're going to do what a smart business man would do," Wade said.
Montana Tractors paid $14.1 million for the remaining assets of Farmtrac North America at an auction on the steps of the Edgecombe County Courthouse on Nov. 17.
So far, parts have been shipped to Montana Tractors dealers from the facility, Wade said, and that whole tractors will be shipped from Tarboro this month. Backhoes and loaders are also expected to be produced at the Tarboro facility, he said.
For the network of 285 Farmtrac dealers who were left without warranty and replacement parts this year, Wade said they could sign up as Montana Tractors dealers and receive parts the same day.
Montana Tractors is a privately held company based in Springdale, Ark.
