Providing equipment to power businesses

From hoses and nozzles to tanks and custom-fit trucks, CHS Energy Equipment allows energy products to get from the point of production to farmers and CHS member-owners.

The department works with about 40 vendors to provide supplies both to other CHS departments as well as cooperatives and dealers. “We are intentional about the vendors we work with,” says Kenton Sonnenburg, manager of sales, CHS Energy Equipment. “We partner with quality people who produce quality products. We make sure our vendors offer the best warranties, service and price.”  

Efficient shopping and distribution   

The department sells about 80,000 pieces of equipment every year, mostly through its online petroleum and propane equipment stores. In addition to providing customer ease through e-commerce, the department stores its 300 most popular items in a 10,000 square-foot warehouse in Inver Grove Heights, Minn. “With CHS managing the distribution, our customers can receive those items quickly,” says Sonnenburg. 

An expert staff

The six-person staff has more than 100 years’ experience combined in energy equipment, each specializing in certain product equipment. “Our expert staff has been working with manufacturers for many years and has established relationships, so we get issues resolved quickly for our customers,” says Sonnenburg. 

Those customers become like an extended family, says Andrew Manchester, an account manager who specializes in lubricants and DEF equipment. “Our customers at the co-op are doing amazing things every day. It’s my goal to provide them the best service and experience.” 

The department’s loyalty and expertise comes in hand with more specialized equipment, like tanks and custom truck fitting. “There are items customers can just order, and then there are items where we want to have a conversation to find the best solution for their business,” says Sonnenburg. 

Manchester considers it his job to give customers their dream shop. “I want them to be able to pump energy products into their equipment as cost effectively and efficiently as possible,” he says.   

Protecting customers

In addition to energy products, CHS Energy Equipment also sells everyday items for retailers, like gloves and wipes, and safety equipment like fire extinguishers.

In spring 2020, when personal protective equipment was in short supply due to the COVID-19 pandemic, CHS Energy Equipment was able to meet customer demands. From February 2020 to March 2020, sales of protective equipment more than doubled. 

To find out how CHS Energy Equipment can help your business, call 1-800-852-8186, press 1.