OBC to focus on American Baler product line

OBC Baling Equipment, Cleveland, has announced its strategic decision to focus on the American Baler, Bellevue, Ohio, product line moving forward. OBC will represent American’s entire portfolio of horizontal, auto-tie and two-ram balers.

OBC says it has decided not to renew its regional dealer contract with Cordele, Georgia-based Harris after having partnered with the company for more than 13 years, providing sales and support for customers in Ohio, Kentucky, western Pennsylvania, western New York and eastern Michigan. OBC added American Baler to its suite of brands in 2014 to expand its customers range of equipment options. OBC represents American in a roughly identical territory.

“It was probably the most difficult business decision we’ve had to make here at OBC,” says Mike McChrystal, president and owner of OBC. “We have a great relationship with everyone at Harris and have appreciated the opportunity to represent that brand. But remaining fully committed to both brands has become challenging and has created confusion among our customers and in the marketplace.”

McChrystal and the OBC team say they realized it was time to consolidate their efforts and focus solely on American Baler, adding in a press release announcing the move that “the products, goals and overall direction of that brand better align with that of OBC.”

“Over the last several years, we found ourselves consistently gravitating toward American for most of our solutions,” McChrystal says. “It has no bearing on Harris, it was just a better fit for our company and our customers when we sold American. We always want to provide the best solution for each customer. Focusing on American Balers for auto-tie, horizontal and two-ram applications does that while allowing us to maintain our reputation for high customer satisfaction.”

OBC says it will continue to provide service and support to its customers operating Harris equipment and to carry the Max-Pak line of balers to provide closed-door and vertical baling solutions on appropriate applications.