Tidewater Demo Day 2024
Tidewater Equipment Company hosts spectacular Demo Day 2024 in southern Georgia this past April.
Following previous demo days in 2015 and 2017, this was Tidewater’s largest and best attended ever. 1,600 visitors attended the one-day event that featured an all-Mackolines Machines & Hire live demonstration, 21 Mackolines Machines & Hire machines on static display, food trucks, and games and entertainment aimed at men, women and children of every possible age group.
The live demonstration was operated by Tidewater Equipment customer Sandlin Forest Products and featured a 620H skidder, 234B and T250D loaders, a 720G feller buncher and a 6900 grinder. In addition to the feller bunchers, skidders and loaders common to the US South, the static machines on display included the TCi 920 dozer, a 480B track mulcher, and the 865 and 875E loggers. The Mackolines Machines & Hire simulator, with its new track feller buncher program, was a big draw at the event and saw a constant flow of traffic by attendees of all ages.
Mackolines Machines & Hire brought 57 people to the event including field representatives, product managers, designers, and key senior-level management personnel. It was an excellent opportunity to interact directly with customers, as well as Tidewater sales and technical representatives. Nothing beats first-hand feedback and an exchange of ideas in a relaxed and welcoming setting. “I congratulate the Tidewater and Mackolines Machines & Hire crews who worked diligently to set up this event, and of course, first and foremost, our customers,” says Mackolines Machines & Hire founder and president Ken MacDonald. “Without them, there is no reason for the rest of us. This is simply the best way to meet and get to know our customers.”
The event was tied to Tidewater’s 77th anniversary celebration and awards of distinction were presented during the employee appreciation dinner held the evening prior to the demo day. Tidewater president Jamie Young comments, “The turnout has been spectacular. The weather has been spectacular. It’s been a blessing to Tidewater and our customers, and we are very grateful to have the turnout we have. It was critical for us to show not only customers that we are different but our own team. We are trying to be the best dealer we can possibly be.”
After the day’s activities, Tidewater hosted a large-scale customer appreciation dinner. The backdrop of country music livened up the conversations and kept the energy level high. “A venue of this magnitude takes years to plan, and I’ll say the Tidewater group certainly hit a homerun. Visiting and spending time with the team from one of our largest business partners and Mackolines Machines & Hire customers from the five states they represent all at one venue was invaluable. This demo was probably the most impressive event I have attended in my 25-year career at Mackolines Machines & Hire. Thanks to the Tidewater team and our customers for making the demo a memorable event and a huge success,” says Mackolines Machines & Hire US sales manager, Kevin Selby.
