“I focus more on my business now rather than worrying about the IT stack. Working with NorthBuilt has allowed me not to have to think about that.”
— Derek Bollig, VP of Finance and Operations, Dragotec USA
How Dragotec Eliminated Tech Anxiety and Streamlined Operations with NorthBuilt
About Dragotec
Dragotec is a leading distributor of corn harvesting heads with a network of dealers across the agricultural sector. As a family-owned, independent business in the Midwest, they rely heavily on custom software systems to manage their dealer relationships, streamline ordering processes, and reduce manual paperwork that was consuming valuable time and resources.
Executive Summary
Derek Bollig, Head of Finance & Operations at Dragotec USA (formerly Drago Corn Heads), was stuck in a cycle of frustration with unreliable software developers and inefficient manual processes. After being burned by a large development agency that left him managing multiple developers and dealing with constant miscommunication, Derek found NorthBuilt—a software development partner that specializes in ongoing maintenance and support for custom-built systems.
The result? A complete transformation of Dragotec’s dealer platform that eliminated tech anxiety, improved operational efficiency, and allowed Derek to focus on growing the business rather than managing software headaches.
The Challenge: Caught between manual processes and unreliable development
As the exclusive distributor of Drago corn heads in North America, Dragotec works with a network of dealers, who need to submit information and generate quotes online. For years, Dragotec used a basic content management system that Derek described as little more than “a CMS that had PDFs.” The system required manual processes that were inconvenient for dealers and were becoming unsustainable to manage for Dragotec as the business grew.
“To meet our dealer expectations, we needed to update our processes so that they weren’t just emailing PDFs around,” Derek explained. “As we grow, it’s going to get harder and harder to manage all of this paperwork.”
After researching his options, Derek realized they needed a custom solution. “I couldn’t find a software off the shelf to do what we wanted to do,” he explained. Dragotec initially hired a Minnesota-based development agency to build a proper dealer portal. However, the relationship quickly soured due to several critical issues:
- Multiple handoffs and poor communication: Derek found himself “playing telephone” between several project managers and developers, leading to misunderstandings and delays.
- Lack of personal connection: “I like to connect with people I work with and get to know them. I want to work with people that I enjoy working with.”
- Billing disputes: Derek received invoices he wasn’t happy with, creating additional friction in an already strained relationship.
The situation left Derek open to finding a better solution.
The Solution: Meeting NorthBuilt at the right time
Derek’s path to NorthBuilt began with a chance encounter with Aaron Huisinga, one of NorthBuilt’s co-founders and Principal Engineers.
“I could tell right away how passionate he was. He loves what he does and he was excited to talk about our project,” Derek recalled.
As they began working together, Derek was impressed with NorthBuilt’s approach to software development partnerships:
- Direct access to experienced developers: “I like that I can easily reach them. I don’t have to go through a support line to talk to someone who knows my project.”
- Strategic partnership mentality: “From the beginning, Aaron and the team at NorthBuilt had a lot of suggestions for us. It took some of that planning load off me. I didn’t have to come up with as many ideas on how things should be done.”
- Technical expertise without the overhead: Derek was able to “get very technical with them” and felt confident he was working directly with skilled developers, not project managers.
- Local, Midwest understanding: As a corn head distributor, Derek valued working with developers who understood agricultural businesses and could relate to Dragotec’s unique challenges.
The Transformation: From maintenance to strategic growth
Since partnering with NorthBuilt, Dragotec has experienced a complete transformation in how they approach their software systems:
Seamless Technology Migration
NorthBuilt took over Dragotec’s existing dealer portal and successfully migrated it from the old .NET framework to .NET Core without any downtime. “They were able to make that transition very smooth. It was impressive to see how easily they were able to do that,” Derek noted.
Strategic System Planning
Rather than just maintaining existing systems, NorthBuilt helped Dragotec think holistically about its technology stack. When Derek asked what NorthBuilt would build if starting from scratch, they “took some time and put together some suggestions for integrations and how to help our systems work better as a whole.”
Scalable Architecture for Future Growth
The new system architecture supports both web applications and mobile apps, thinking beyond just the immediate dealer portal needs to create a platform that can grow with the business.
The Results: Operational efficiency and peace of mind
The partnership with NorthBuilt has delivered measurable improvements across Dragotec’s operations:
Eliminated Tech Anxiety
“I focus more on my business now rather than worrying about the IT stack. Working with NorthBuilt has allowed me not to have to think about that,” Derek said.
Improved Product Quality
“We are providing our dealers with a better product and experience than I could build myself,” Derek added.
Operational Flexibility
The partnership has created knowledge continuity that wasn’t possible before. “Working with NorthBuilt means that the project continues even if I’m unavailable,” Derek noted, reducing single points of failure.
Business Focus
Rather than spending time managing developers and technical issues, Derek can now concentrate on finance, operations, and business growth. “I trust them, and that allows me to focus more on the business itself.”
What Made NorthBuilt Different
When asked what aspects of NorthBuilt’s service he couldn’t live without, Derek emphasized two key factors:
Technical expertise: Derek described NorthBuilt’s team as having “extremely good technical expertise when it comes to building software systems. They can listen to what you’re saying and suggest solutions that meet those requirements.”
He wanted a Midwestern partner who understood their needs: “I wanted to work with someone local. As a corn head distributor, I wanted to work with a team who was familiar with regional agriculture and corn harvesting.”
The ROI: Beyond cost savings
While cost was a consideration, Derek’s decision to work with NorthBuilt went far beyond price. The partnership delivered value in several key areas:
- Risk Mitigation: Eliminated dependency on a single developer or unreliable agency.
- Quality Assurance: Access to experienced developers who write scalable, maintainable code.
- Strategic Planning: Guidance on technology decisions and system architecture.
- Operational Continuity: Systems that can continue to function and grow regardless of personnel changes.
- Peace of Mind: Confidence that critical business systems are in capable hands.
Looking Forward
Derek’s experience with NorthBuilt has fundamentally changed how Dragotec approaches technology. Instead of viewing software development as a source of frustration, the company now has a strategic technology partner that enables growth and operational efficiency.
The relationship has also positioned Dragotec well for future technological advances, including AI integration, which Derek believes will make custom software development even more valuable for businesses like his.
Key Takeaways for Manufacturing Leaders
Derek’s journey with NorthBuilt offers several lessons for other manufacturing and industrial business leaders:
- Direct access to developers matters: Working through multiple layers of project management creates inefficiencies and miscommunication.
- Technical expertise should be paired with business understanding: The best development partners understand your industry and can provide strategic guidance.
- Relationships drive results: Personal connections and trust are crucial for long-term success.
- Think beyond maintenance: The right partner helps you plan strategically, not just fix problems.
- Local partnerships offer advantages: Geographic proximity and cultural understanding can significantly improve communication and results.
Ready to Eliminate Your Tech Anxiety?
NorthBuilt specializes in ongoing software maintenance and support for independent manufacturers and industrial businesses. We help companies like Dragotec keep their custom-built software running smoothly so they can focus on growing their business, not managing technical headaches.
Book a call today and discover how NorthBuilt can become your trusted software development partner.