Frequently Asked Questions
What is the return-on-investment with MeterMax?
Through service fee income and parts sales, most MeterMax agencies make $35 to $40 per meter. That means it takes as little as 220 meters to recoup the purchase price including all accessories. The typical MeterMax agency services 400 meters annually.
|
Agency A | Agency B | Agency C | Agency D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meter Service Fee | $25 | $25 | $25 | $25 |
| Meter Parts Margin (per meter) | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Total Income per Meter | $ 35 | $ 35 | $35 | $35 |
| Meters Calibrated (annually) | 250 | 400 | 800 | 1,500 |
| Total Annual Income | $8,750 | $14,000 | $28,000 | $52,500 |
| Labor Cost per Meter | $10 | $10 | $10 | $10 |
| Meters Calibrated (annually) | 250 | 400 | 800 | 1,500 |
| Total Labor Costs | $2,500 | $4,000 | $8,000 | $5,000 |
| Net Profit | $6,250 | $10,000 | $20,000 | $37,500 |
| Total Return | $6,250 | $10,000 | $20,000 | $37,500 |
| Investment | 7,700 | 7,700 | 7,700 | 7,700 |
| Annual Return on Investment | 81% | 130% | 260% | 487% |
We sell seed. How does this fit in with a seed business?
Growing seed dealerships recognize that selling seed is as much a service-based business as a product-based business. Services offer an opportunity for growth. Meter calibration services can provide service income from November through March. But equally important, MeterMax training helps expand your expertise so you can help customers solve planter related problems. You will have a new reason to make winter sales calls to build relationships as producers are developing cropping plans for the next season. Plus, calibrating meters allows good genetics to get even better. Racehorse hybrids are handicapped out of the gate if they can’t be planted accurately and precisely. MeterMax is not just for “planter people”; it’s for any seed dealer that’s looking to gain an edge.
Shouldn’t I be out selling seed rather than calibrating meters?
Absolutely. You sell the genetics and the services and we strongly recommend that you find a technician to perform the calibration work while you continue to call on customers and sell seed. Many dealers justify the additional employee solely on the added income generated by the test stand. Then they have the use of the employee to support all of the other seed business activities. Of course, you should remain in the loop so you can leverage value-added meter calibration services to sell more seed.
How can MeterMax be juggled amongst all the other demanding activities?
Proper meter calibration takes on average one-half hour per meter. However, calibrating meters can take place in the dead of winter. Or in the dog days of summer. Meter calibration can keep your crew busy during the off-peak seasons and keep top talent profitably occupied year round.
How does the MeterMax System increase the sales of other products?
MeterMax calibration is a value-added service that helps customers raise yields and increase profitability. This service is a great tool that can be leveraged into life-long customer relationships that may make the difference when price becomes the focal point. One seed company documented a seven percent increase in seed sales among sales representatives that owned MeterMax stands versus those that did not. MeterMax creates the perfect opportunity to get into customers’ offices and shops. Or invite them for a MeterMax demonstration. At each step, you are adding to your reputation as problem solvers and valued partners.
What does MeterMax training involve?
The MeterMax Test Stand makes it easy for technicians to measure the accuracy of a meter. But it is the MeterMax training that really sets the whole system apart. There is an art to calibrating meters – knowing which parts to use and the necessary adjustments to make is just a start. Each owner’s team will receive extensive training on planters, diagnosing planter problems, analyzing meter components, and performing meter calibration. The team will also receive training on why planter performance affects every component in the production system. Plus, they’ll learn how to leverage this information to sell more products and services to their existing customers.
What is involved in calibrating a meter?
First, the meter is cleaned, inspected, and then pre-tested with the customer’s actual seed. An experienced technician will then replace necessary parts based on the inspection and pre-test. Then the meter is tested again. The MeterMax Plus is equipped with sensors and the AutoPilot Data Center that instantly calculates meter errors and collects up to 10,000 seeds per run which is equal to over a one mile long row. It significantly speeds up the calibration process and ensures pinpoint accuracy. An experienced technician can generally process two or three meters per hour.
Does calibrating meters pay?
Calibrating meters helps to eliminate costly skips and doubles in the field and increase the number of harvestable ears per acre. Pioneer Hi-Bred conducted over 100 side-by-side trials over three years. Their research proved that calibrating meters added an average of 5.7 bushels per acre or nearly $15 per acre. Meter calibration costs approximately $.40 per acre or $.002 per bushel. The payback for your customers can be as much as $40 per $1 invested. In one year!