Washburn Sends Customer on John Deere Gold Key Trip
Posted 04/23/2010 —On January 17, 2010, RDO Equipment Co. - Washburn customer Kent Pfaff, wife Rhonda, and son Zach were treated with a Gold Key Experience trip to Moline, Illinois, by Account Manager Brent Slaubaugh.
Their trip began with a tour of the John Deere Pavilion, where every tractor that was ever built by John Deere is available for viewing - including the very first Waterloo Boy tractor, the first John Deere 4010 tractor with the serial number "1."
The following day, the Pfaff's attended their Gold Key Experience. The John Deere Gold Key program provides the opportunity for customers to watch and experience their equipment being built on the assembly line. In existence since 1996, the program also recognizes and honors customers for purchasing John Deere-built tractors.
During the Gold Key tour, the customer and their guests are taken on a behind-the-scenes, guided tour of the factory.
The Pfaff's couldn't believe the size of the building and the efficiency of the process. The building was so large that John Deere supervisors rode bikes, which the Pfaff's thought was funny but efficient. Rhonda Pfaff commented on the friendliness of the people. "It was evident that everyone enjoyed their jobs."
The Pfaff's were able to tour Waterloo Engine Works, where they were impressed with the robotics and the precision of everything working together. They also toured the Tractor Factory at Waterloo Works. The Pfaff's enjoyed a visit to Davenport Works - Industrial, where they saw the impressive technique of cutting of metal with water, and concluded their trip with a visit to Rock Island Arsenal, where military weapons are made and tested.
Kent Pfaff said, "The whole process from start to finish was pretty awesome. We were treated like royalty. This was an experience of a lifetime."
