Adam Torres and Don Garber discuss the Associated Equipment Distributor’s Annual Summit.
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Show Notes:
Listen to the Associated Equipment Distributor’s annual summit coverage. In this episode, Adam Torres interviews Don Garber, National Sales Manager at Diamond Mowers, explore Diamond Mowers and the Associated Equipment Distributor’s annual summit thanks to the support of our sponsor, Vanguard Captive Management.
About Diamond Mowers
For 20+ years, Diamond Mowers has stood shoulder to shoulder alongside outdoor entrepreneurs, nurturing the potential in every terrain. They understand the demands of the job, and that’s why they build attachments built to grind — season after season.
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Full Unedited Transcript
Hey, I’d like to welcome you to another episode of Mission Matters. My name is Adam Torres, and today I am in Orlando, Florida at the 2025 AED conference, and I have Don Garber from Diamond Mowers on the line and excited to have you here. So Don, first off, welcome. Thank you. Thank you. Good to be here. All right, Don.
So first off, what brings you to the conference today? Talk about Diamond Mower. Yeah, sure. So yeah, we’re a we’re a industrial mulching forestry mulching company based out of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Yeah. We make an array of mulching mower attachments for this industry, for the construction, industrial industry, and also the municipal mowing space.
And so this is this demographic is our demographic that we’re in and that’s why it makes sense to be here That’s a great networking event. Yeah, it’s good for us to connect with like minded people that are in the industry with us And it’s just a good opportunity. I think to just to kind of see what your competition is doing, but also seek out Opportunities.
And I think and just networking and overall just being able to connect with other people in the industry. Yeah. Now, have you come to an AED conference in the past? Just to be upfront, this is my first one. And I’m pleasantly surprised. I cover conferences all around the country. And this one, I think is going to be on the list yearly.
Is this your first time? Or have you been? This is my first time. Oh, this is my AED show. Hey, that’s what I’m talking about. So we’re kind of learning together. I like that. And I like getting a first timers opinion too. Cause some of the interviews I’ve done, they’ve been, you know, I’ve been coming for years on this, that, or some of the people that are retiring out even, and I’m like, so, so far what, what has been one of your favorite parts that I know we got a lot of conference left, but so far.
We do. And I think it’s just, again, I think it’s going back to the engagement and meeting up with folks that other folks that are in our industry that are, we either partner with or would like to partner with and just, just engaging others in the industry. And I think that’s, what’s been the most exciting so far.
How long have you been in the industry? Like how’d you get started? Yeah. So my background is in power equipment. So I’ve been in the commercial power equipment industry for 25 years. Yeah. I came to Diamond Mowers about a year ago and just kind of got into the more industrial side of the commercial outdoor power equipment industry and the forestry kind of section and municipal stuff.
And it just it’s a lot of fun. And the people that are in that industry are a lot of fun to work with too. So obviously with your background, a lot of different companies, a lot of different things you could do. Diamond Mowers. What, how’d they snag you? How’d they get you? You know, it’s just an opportunity.
I think it was just a timing opportunity. And you know, I don’t really know so much about luck. I think it’s maybe just opportunity mates, opportunity and preparation, maybe, you know, and just to be at the right place at the right time. And I think it just made sense at the time and it’s been, it’s been a fun ride.
Tell us a little bit more about diamond mowers and maybe just the niche and who they’re serving. Sure. Yeah. So we are a company based out again at Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and we’ve been in this industry for a long time, but it’s a very kind of niche industry. It’s a. Really, forestry, reclamation, mulching mulching trees defensible space, mulching and, and and Wildfire prone areas.
But also just a roadside maintenance too with municipalities and DOTs. We do roadside municipal mowing products, and we’re kind of in that space and as well as the skid steer and excavator space. So everyone at this show is, is in our industry or demographic in some way or another, either directly or indirectly.
What kind of trends in your industry, or I should say in your niche, like are you following right now? Like what’s interesting to you? Sure. Yeah. So we’re obviously keeping our, we’re, we’re obviously keeping our eye on the economy and as everyone else in our industry is, and just kind of looking at the kind of opportunities.
And I think everyone is kind of coming out of 2024. We had some significant challenges. I think going into 2025, I think the overall look is more optimistic. I think that industry wide, I think we’re looking at. Starting to make a progressive push forward. And so we obviously track that we track buying trends.
We track competition, we track market opportunities, and we just look for basically to stay in cutting edge and a voice of the customer, just just trying to make products that customers want. That enhances their productivity, their profitability, and overall efficiency. Yeah, amazing. Last question for you, how can people learn more?
I want you to look at the camera. How can they visit the website? Like, like, tell us more. How can they follow up? Yep. Yep. They can go to diamondmowers. com. Very simple. We have a very comprehensive website. It has our entire product offering on there. Both in skid steer excavator and in municipal spaces.
So go to diamondmowers. com and you can learn all kinds of stuff about diamond mowers, and there’s also contact information on there. So you can contact anybody at diamond mowers, if you’re interested in becoming a customer and, or a partnering note with us for diamond mowers products. Fantastic. And for everybody watching, just so you know, we’ll definitely put the links in the show notes and big thank you and shout out to our, our sponsors.
So Vanguard Capital Management thank you for the sponsorship and bringing us out here to AED Summit. And for the first time viewers and listeners, if you haven’t done it yet, Hit that subscribe or follow button. This is a daily show each and every day. We’re bringing you new content, new ideas, and hopefully new inspiration to help you along the way on your journey as well.
So again, hit that subscribe or follow button and Don, man, thank you for making some time for us. You’re welcome. You’re welcome. Thank you so much.