Important changes beginning Monday, March 23rd regarding COVID-19

Mar. 23 2020 News By Birkey's

Valued Birkey’s Customers,

As spring planting and construction season will likely begin within a few weeks, Birkey’s is open and committed to providing you with the most seamless customer experience possible in these challenging times. We have stocked our parts departments and stand ready to support your equipment, parts, and service needs.

On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued guidance on critical industries that should continue as the country addresses the current outbreak. Agriculture was included as an industry critical to the security of our nation. Friday afternoon, Gov. Pritzker of Illinois, issued a "shelter in place” order for the entire state of Illinois beginning Saturday.

Under the executive order, certain businesses are defined as "Essential Businesses and Operations,” including those involved in the “manufacture, distribution, and supply chain for critical products and industries.” Those industries are specifically excluded from the order because of their importance to our national security and infrastructure. It specifically names agriculture and construction in the list of manufacturing companies, distributors, and companies producing and supplying essential products and services.

Because we are an essential business, our locations will continue to operate under normal business hours from Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. To continue serving our customers safely and effectively, we will be preventing public access to our showrooms, parts counters, and sales offices effective Monday, March 23rd. Although the front door to our stores will be locked, our parts, service, precision, and sales professionals will continue to meet customer needs.

Here are some ways we will continue to safely support you during this time:

  • Store Locations – For details on any of our stores visit: birkeys.com/locations
  • Parts - Our parts department will continue to meet your needs:
    • Phone - Call your local store to connect with our parts department who will assist you with your questions and orders.
    • Online Ordering - Go to birkeys.com/parts and select your local store in the drop-down to order genuine Case IH or Case Construction parts for shipping or pick up at your local Birkey’s.
    • Parts Shuttle - will continue to move parts between our 17 locations.
  • Parts Pickup
    • Purchase parts online or over the phone and we'll place your order in a designated pickup are outside each store.
  • Service - Our service department will operate normally and continue to get the equipment ready for spring.
  • Sales - Our sales team will be available by phone and email to meet your equipment needs.
    • Online Inventory – Go to birkeys.com to browse our extensive preowned inventory. Easily request more information using the form and a member of our sales team will reach out to you.
  • Trucking - Birkey’s will continue to pick up and deliver equipment.

By using the telephone, email, online ordering, and no-/low-contact communications, we will dramatically reduce our chances of putting you and our employees in harm’s way, while reducing the risk of closing our stores entirely due to infection.

We will continue to update our designated COVID-19 response webpage and social media with changes as they happen. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this unusual time. We are prepared and focused on continuing to serve you!

Sincerely,

Mike Hedge
President and CEO
Birkey's Farm Store, Inc.