Vermeer Dealership Now Under New Ownership

 

Hannah and Skyler Pownall, owners of Z Mill Inc., Broadus' Vermeer equipment dealer, are pictured above with their son, Shaw. (Photo courtesy Hannah Pownall)

Skyler and Hannah Pownall are the owners of Z Mill Inc., a Vermeer equipment dealer in Broadus. The couple recently purchased the dealership from Kurt and Julie Collins, who operated the business under the MT Tractor banner for 14 years.

Located in Crane Acres just off of Highway 212, Z Mill Inc. will sell and service Vermeer equipment, as well as being a dealer for General and Midland implement. The couple will also have used and consignment equipment for sale, along with rental services. Additionally, a variety of products from Wilson Welding will be available, such as custom cake bins, pickup flatbeds, and cattle guards for full size vehicles or a smaller model for side by sides.

We sat down with the Pownalls last week to discuss the business and gain some insight into their lives.

Hannah is the daughter of Matt and Cecilia Earley of Belle Creek. She was born and raised in Gillette, and moved back after college, where she worked in the oil and gas industry. Skyler grew up on his family ranch 35 miles north of Gillette, and also moved back to Gillette after college, where he most recently worked in the insurance business. The couple married and have one son, Shaw, who is 14 months old. Hannah described Shaw as "the CEO."

The story of how MT Tractor became Z Mill Inc. is a story of long-term family friendships: Hannah's folks have been longtime friends with the Collins family. Kurt grew up tagging along with his older brother Mark, who was good friends with Matt Earley. As the years progressed the friendship between the families continued as a constant, and Hannah told us of fond memories spending time at the Collins Ranch on Baking Powder Creek.

Hannah and Skyler had long known they would like to work for themselves, especially in the agricultural industry. Last year the Pownalls began to work with Kurt and Julie on the purchase of MT Tractor, and now in the spring of 2022 their dream came to fruition.

"Kurt and Julie were great," Hannah said of the purchase. "We couldn't have asked for better folks to work with. The Collins' truly are family."

Hannah continued: "Our vision for the business is to provide the community with a local resource for agricultural needs. Our goal is to turn what could be a three-day breakdown into a three-hour breakdown."

In order to provide that service, Z Mill Inc. is currently servicing and repairing equipment in the shop, and is on the hunt for a full-time heavy equipment mechanic to provide additional skills. The long term goal is to have a service truck on hand to provide mobile mechanic skills – for example, going out to the field to fix a break-down to get the haying equipment up and running while the haying weather holds.

The rental side of the business is an exciting new addition, with initial offerings include skid steer attachments, and plans to expand into more substantial options.

"We would like to provide as many of the options folks see from bigger towns here locally, saving time and fuel for the rancher," Skyler commented.

The Pownalls will also plan on having a stock of Vermeer parts on hand, dependent on supply chain issues. Z Mill Inc.'s website, which is currently up and running, will have a live inventory, saving more time for producers.

Another addition will be a stock of 2 7/8" oil field pipe and sucker rod, which will be kept on hand for the myriad of purposes which ranchers find for the oil field surplus.

A variety of Vermeer equipment is available at Z Mill Inc., formerly MT Tractor & Equipment.

Z Mill Inc. is now open for business, and Skyler emphasized that though they are doing some remodeling of the office, the coffee maker is going and he'd love to have folks stop by and chat. Business hours are Monday through Friday, from 8-5.

An open house and barbecue is tentatively planned for April as a grand opening, as more Vermeer stock is expected in the coming weeks. Options from General and Midland Implement will also be available; both companies offer a substantial variety of agricultural related equipment, and are based in Billings.

Skyler summed up their business ethos: "We are service driven, and will accommodate folks to the best of our ability. Whether that means running parts out to the ranch or working with the customer to order and deliver the exact piece of equipment they've been shopping for, just give us a call and we'll be happy to work with you."

Z Mill Inc may be reached at 436-2101, online at http://www.zmill inc.com or stop by the shop, located at 105 Intrare Avenue, just off Highway 212.

 

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