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On February 4, 2025, the LDI team gathered in Salina, KS for their annual Unite Meeting. Attendees of the meeting included the store, parts, and service managers, salesmen, and technology specialists. Unite was created to bring everyone together after a year of hard work and dedication to the industry. This year’s theme was The Race to Success, and throughout the whole event, NASCAR references were made and incorporated throughout the day. Team competitions, breakout sessions, good food, and awards make up this event and allow for a day of recognition throughout the company.
Throughout the day the teams competed in team competitions. Each competition had an opportunity to gain points with a winning team awarded at the end of the day. Every employee enjoyed all of the interacting, and friendly competition this brought!
Throughout the day the group also participated in an array of breakout sessions. In the morning, there were sessions for sales, parts, and service that were run by the corporate office employees. In the afternoon, there were different sessions where employees were able to grasp what the 2025 year is estimated to look like and learn vital information to help increase communication and work skills.
Annually at Unite, there is an Awards Banquet to honor those who have gone above and beyond during the past year. Four Parts specific awards, one combined Parts & Service award, and four Service awards were given to store locations, along with one service technician receiving an achievement service ring. One diamond addition was awarded as well, which indicates that they have met the needed criteria for a repeat year! Six sales awards were presented to individuals along with four salesmen receiving add-on diamonds to their ring. This means that all four salesmen met their needed criteria for another year as well.
Lastly, the most prestigious LDI award, the Gerald Funk Award, was presented. This award is named after an individual who truly “Does What It Takes” and has been doing it for many years within LDI. To receive this award is a great honor and representation of the name engraved; therefore, Nathan Weber was awarded the Gerald Funk award based on his hard work and continuous outpour of dedication to the company! Nathan is the Service Manager at Chanute and is also the first Service Technician to be awarded the Gerald Funk Award. He earned this for his commitment beyond measure to continually guide farmers to success and be readily available to those who need his assistance. Nathan states, “Winning this award means a lot, it doesn’t only show the dedication that I have but also shows the hard work all the Chanute staff have as well. We have the mindset of going above and beyond for our customers and “Doing What It Takes” no matter what that looks like.” Overall, The Race to Success was one for the books and LDI is excited to see what 2025 will bring. We’ll see you at the finish line! On your marks! Get set! Go!