NEWS & EVENTS

Organizational Announcement: Mike Clark

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 15, 2024

We are pleased to announce that effective 15 April 2024, Mike Clark has joined Barko and Pettibone Traverse Lift (PTL) as the Regional EH&S Manager. He will report directly to Kylee Smith and James Kotajarvi.

Mike brings with him over 20 years of extensive corporate and site-level of EH&S experience. He has proven success with implementing solutions in diverse, rapidly expanding multi-national, high- risk industries including manufacturing, mid-stream oil and gas, mining, biotechnology and semiconductors.

Mike will be responsible for providing support developing and implementing environmental, health & safety programs at both assembly plant locations. He will implement processes to ensure compliance with the Heico EHS management system, applicable federal and state regulatory requirements and support the overall strategic plan of both business units. He is responsible for the prevention and elimination of injuries and illness to all employees, customers, other visitors to our facility and grounds.

Mike acquired a Master of Science in Industrial Safety and a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Minnesota at Duluth. He is a board-Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and holds a Lean/Six Sigma Greenbelt. Mike is a long-term Minnesota resident and has spent a time in the U.P. of Michigan while working for Clevland Cliffs. Mike is a proud husband and dad of 4 girls. He has 2 dogs, a cat, birds, and a lot of fish. He enjoys being outdoors camping or playing golf. Mike also “enjoys” home improvements like changing tile and painting.

Organizational Announcement: Bruce Geary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 8, 2024

We are pleased to announce that effective 8 April 2024, Bruce Geary has joined Barko as the Director of Aftermarket, reporting directly to Justin Rupar.

Bruce brings with him over 25 years of experience in Global Sales, and Marketing in various aftermarket industries. He is joining the Barko team from Reviva, a provider of quality remanufactured engines and engine components where he served as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing. During his tenure at Reviva he implemented a sales playbook to manage channel acquisitions, revamped online sales strategies, expanded channel partners, and developed timely and creative solutions to deliver channel and customer experience to achieve the organizational goals.

In this role of Director of Aftermarket, Bruce will be responsible for leading, defining, and executing the overall strategy for Barko’s Aftermarket business. He will be establishing and achieving annual financial objectives, providing cross functional leadership in defining core aftermarket 80/20 principles, value proposition, market positioning, strategic pricing, complexity reduction and overall roadmap development to drive margin and market share of our aftermarket portfolio.

Bruce acquired his MBA from the Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland and holds a B.A in Economics from Lake Forest College. He is a fan of hockey, originally from Chicago – go HAWKS, and is enjoying every minute of living in Minnesota. Bruce has two children who reside in the London, England area.

Organizational Announcement: Jason Jordahl

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 8, 2024

We are pleased to announce that effective 8 April 2024, Jason Jordahl has joined Barko as the Manager of Aftermarket Parts Sales, reporting directly to Bruce Geary.

Jason brings with him over 10 years of experience in Product Support roles for various heavy equipment manufacturers. He is joining the Barko team from Bobcat, where he served as the Key Account Product Support Manager. During his tenure at Bobcat, he grew parts sales with national rental accounts by providing technical support, evaluating trends, analyzing data, forecasting needs, implementing training programs, developing strong relationships with key account holders, and finding creative solutions to meet customer needs that also improved Bobcats revenue and margin.

In this role of Manager of Aftermarket Parts Sales, Jason is responsible for developing the Aftermarket’s tactical plan and driving the overall direction and growth of parts sales for the company. Included in this is OEM parts management, building strong relationships with aftermarket customers, leading a team of Aftermarket Sales Representatives, technical training for the department, management of pricing strategies and inventory initiatives in support of parts sales goals, and working cross functionally with key internal stakeholders to achieve business objectives.

Jason has a B.S. in Applied Technology from North Dakota State University. Jason is excited to be part of the Barko team once again, having previous served as a Service Tech/Warranty Administrator from 2015 to 2017. Jason is married, has two daughters, plays rugby in his spare time, and loves being with his family. He is excited for this new adventure.

BARKO to Host Loader Skills Contest at the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association Logging & Heavy Equipment Expo

Superior, Wisconsin – BARKO, leading developer, manufacturer and distributor of heavy equipment for the forestry, vegetation management and material handling industries, will once again be hosting the BARKO Loader Skills Contest at the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association (GLTPA) Logging & Heavy Equipment Expo on September 7 - 9, 2023, in Escanaba, MI.

“Our Loader Skills Contest has become a popular attraction at this event and at other similar events,” said Kevin Lee, Director of Sales at BARKO. “The contest dramatically demonstrates the equipment capabilities and highlights what skilled operators can do when they have the right equipment. It’s a real Bragging Rights thing. More importantly, it’s a way for BARKO to trigger donations to a cause we care deeply about, Log-a-Load for Kids.”

In addition to Bragging Rights, there’s cash and hand-made trophies to be had:

• 1st Place: $300
• 2nd Place: $200
• 3rd Place: $100

The BARKO Loaders Skills Contest site will be set up within the BARKO exhibit and will run from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm Thursday, Sept. 7 and 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm Friday, Sept 9, with a short award ceremony, immediately following.

Contestants simply sign in at the BARKO exhibit. No pre-registration is required. Contestants will stack logs “Lincoln Log” Style. The fastest, most accurate operator wins. Simple as that.

Barko featured in the Duluthian Magazine

“If you're a forestry industry worker or are clearing the right-of-way for utility line, and if you're sitting in the cab of the Barko Hydraulics 937B Industrial Wheeled Tractor, you've got a very comfortable seat.” Read the article

Barko Hydraulics announces financing partnership with Stearns Bank National Association

Superior, Wisconsin – Barko Hydraulics (Barko), leading developer, manufacturer and distributor of innovative heavy equipment solutions for the forestry, vegetation management and material handling industries, has partnered with Minnesota-based Stearns Bank National Association to provide exclusive retail financing to dealerships across the United States.

The partnership preserves the personal, relationship-building models of both organizations to create a fast, efficient and connected financing experience for Barko dealers to offer their customers. As demand for forestry and heavy equipment solutions continues a steady growth pattern, Stearns Bank N.A. is poised to help Barko dealers meet the demand head on with customer financing solutions, while also assisting with short- and long-term business needs.

“We are very excited to be partnering with such an incredible organization as Stearns Bank. Both Barko and Stearns Bank want to provide not only competitive financing to the retail market, but we want to provide an incredibly personal level of service and customer experience,” said Barko President Justin Rupar. “Our combined goal is to make the financing experience easy and enjoyable so that our dealer partners can grow their business and capture a larger percentage of potential sales.”

Rupar notes that the two companies share similar DNA in their commitment to customer service, stating, “Stearns Bank builds incredible relationships with their customers to find ways to do business and does not see dealers and retail applicants as just a credit score and ROI.”

“Our team is committed to fostering a collaborative effort aimed at taking success to the next level while also maintaining the essential component of customer service – which starts with us answering the phone on the first ring,” said Isaac Flenner, Stearns Bank’s Director of Equipment Finance and Small Business Lending. “Our team is poised to deliver support and speed, by way of our app to funding cycle in as little at 82 minutes. Stearns Bank is a huge proponent of Barko’s relationship-centered mission and incredibly high-quality product line.”

Barko Hydraulics Celebrates Two Years Injury-Free and Counting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 17, 2021

Superior, Wisconsin – Barko Hydraulics (Barko), leading developer, manufacturer and distributor of innovative heavy equipment solutions for the forestry, vegetation management and material handling industries, is proud to report two years of injury-free work at their manufacturing facility.

“At the end of the day, our employees and their safety come first,” said Justin Rupar, President of Barko. “Our employees work with some of the most powerful machines in the industry. Recognizing two years of injury-free work at our facility highlights Barko’s commitment to safety in the workplace, as well as our employee’s sense of responsibility to one another. We are very proud of our team.”

Understanding what it takes to tackle the most challenging jobs, Barko’s hardworking team of professionals is committed to providing long-lasting machines that meet the industry’s toughest demands.

With over 55 years of experience developing and manufacturing high-quality, innovative forestry equipment, the Barko team is proud to have produced over 25,000 of the most durable and reliable machines for the forestry, vegetation management and material handling industries. Barko builds every piece of equipment with rugged components suitable for the most demanding jobs in the industry, from harvesting to loading to land clearing.

Barko Hydraulics Welcomes Justin Rupar as Company President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 25, 2021

Superior, Wisconsin – Barko Hydraulics (Barko) is pleased to welcome Justin Rupar as President. Rupar assumed his new role effective June 15, 2021, bringing over 27 years of equipment industry expertise in manufacturing, dealer development, sales and marketing.

"I’m very excited to join Barko, and I’m looking forward to getting to know our dealers and customers better.” said Rupar. “The Barko team and I are excited to continue working to improve our product and services offerings and to add exceptional value to both our dealer partners’ and our retail customers’ operations.”

Before joining Barko, Justin held leadership positions with Yamaha Motor Corporation, YANMAR America and ASV Holdings, overseeing global commercial, distribution and after-sales support activities.

As President, Justin will provide leadership to position Barko at the forefront of the forestry equipment market. He will be responsible for driving positive results for the business and developing a strategic plan that advances our mission and promotes long-term growth.

A native northern Minnesotan and Iron Ranger, Justin holds a bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University (MN) and an MBA from the University of Georgia. In his spare time, he is an avid outdoorsman who loves spending time in nature hunting, fishing, or exploring with his wife and daughter. Justin also has a passion for ice hockey and cooking for friends and family. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and volunteers in the community whenever possible.