1910 - 1919

Joseph Berchtold, son of German immigrants from Iowa, migrates to Bakersfield and starts the "J. Berchtold Produce Company" in 1910. Besides produce and hardware, he begins selling farm implements and a variety of tractors.

In 1916 Joseph, 44 years of age, marries Wilhemina Westlund a Swedish immigrant from Finland.

1920 - 1929

In 1920 Joseph builds the current facility at 330 east 19th street, one block west of the original location.

In 1922 Elivn G. Berchtold, Joseph and Minnie's only son, is born.

During the mid 1920's Berchtold becomes a dealer for Minneapolis Moline, a relationship that will last for more than thirty years.

Joseph Berchtold changes the name to "Berchtold Grain and Implement House".

1930 - 1939

Berchtold Grain and Implement House survives the great depression.

In 1939 Elvin Berchtold graduates Kern County Union High School and attends UCLA.

1940 - 1949

Elvin Berchtold Graduates UCLA early in 1943 and then serves in WWII as a Naval Officer in the Pacific.

In 1945 he returns from the war to take over the business from his ailing father.

E.G., as he has come to be known, marries Ida Franklin from Illinois in 1947.

In 1948 their first son Stephen is born, the eldest sibling of the third generation.

1950 - 1959

Joseph Berchtold passes away in 1950.

The second son, Mark, is born in 1951.

E.G.'s wife, nick named Frankie, begins working at the business.

Third son, Jeff, is born in 1957.

In 1957 E.G., now nicknamed 'Berch', gives up Minneapolis Moline line to become a dealer for Ford Tractor and Heston.

At the same time Berchtold Grain and Implement House changes it's name to "Berchtold Equipment Company".

1960 - 1969

Berch and Frankie's only daughter, Marcia, is born in 1963

Berchtold Equipment Company expands into the Forklift Business.

In 1969 Berchtold Equipment Company becomes a Bobcat Dealer.

1970 - 1979

Stephen Berchtold joins the company full time as a salesman for the Bobcat Line.

In 1972 Berchtold Equipment Company becomes a Kubota Dealer.

Mark joins the company full time in 1974 as service manager.

Jeff joins the company full time in 1978.

Minne, Joseph's wife, passes away in 1978.

1980 - 1989

Daughter Marcia is employed in the Business in 1985.

1987 Berchtold Equipment Company opens a branch store in Santa Maria.

1988 Ford Tractor merges with New Holland to form Ford New Holland.

1990 - 1999

1994 Ford New Holland changes to New Holland.

1995 Berchtold Equipment Company opens up branch store in Delano.

2000 - Current

In 2008 E.G. and Frankie retire after 60+ years of running Berchtold Equipment Company.

Simultaneously the company is purchased by Son Mark, who continues to manage it.