Bill Fogarty

To the Point

Dealers for the Ages

By Mike Lessiter posted on January 30, 2024 | Posted in Best Practices

Anniversaries have a way of nudging us to reflect. A natural byproduct of chronicling Farm Equipment’s 55th year was the examination of courageous dealers who bet on themselves and their team’s ability to serve the North American farmer.

Best of Fogarty

Some Thoughts About Survival

This industry's history proves that the changes we think will happen don't always work out as expected.

October 10, 2023

To me, the farm equipment industry has always been a grand theatre, and I've had a front-row seat for 40 years. It's not always a spectacular show, but it's constantly changing.

Best of Fogarty

Some of the best

Random reflections on several high spots and classy people.

October 10, 2023 | Posted in Best Practices, Manufacturer & Dealer Issues

This may get me in trouble for who and what I'm leaving out. But I want to share a few recollections with readers and talk about some important things that happened and people I met over the years - though I may not have recognized their significance at the time.

Best of Fogarty

Shortline marketing will keep changing

Let's hope that there will continue to be fresh, profitable ways for new, specialized ideas to get into the marketplace.

October 10, 2023 | Posted in Niche Equipment Markets

Shortly after I joined this industry in 1958, I went to the conventions of the Farm Equipment Manufacturers and the Farm Equipment Wholesalers Assns. at Kansas City's then stylish Hotel Muehlebach.

Readers Pay Tribute to Bill Fogarty

By Mike Lessiter posted on October 4, 2023 | Posted in Best Practices

Readers pay tribute to Bill Fogarty

Trying to Get ‘Lift Off’

Lessiter Media’s first 12 months with Farm Equipment were trying, but perseverance, planning & a serendipitous visit from a former mentor changed its fate

By Mike Lessiter posted on September 26, 2023 | Posted in Best Practices

Despite the honeymoon period following our statement-making first issue, the rest of 2004 proved challenging.

Looking Back: A Recent Retiree’s Perspective on Equipment Industry

A Look Back on Farm Equipment History with: Lars Paulsson, retired vice president, Laforge Systems, Inc., Concord, Calif.

By Lars Paulsson posted on September 22, 2023 | Posted in Best Practices

I can’t speak for 55 years ago. I had then just graduated from high school, but later in life, in the late 70s/early 80s, I had a short stint involved with in-parlor-feeding in the dairy industry, just as electronic recordkeeping started to take off.

To the Point

Shortline Equipment’s Day in the Sun

By Mike Lessiter posted on August 15, 2023 | Posted in Manufacturer & Dealer Issues

The Farm Equipment in your hands today is 20 years in the making. Shortly after acquiring Farm Equipment (and what would become Ag Equipment Intelligence and Farm Innovations) in 2004, we learned our fate was tied to the shortline equipment manufacturers.