With the first-ever “Dealership Minds” edition on Birkey’s Farm Stores in February 2011, we set out to detail how each of the“cogs” in a benchmark-worthy dealership function together as one “machine.” What became the most talked-about project of the year created challenges for our editorial team when it came to this year’s encore performance.
When discussions started about Elder Implement being the subject of Farm Equipment’s 2012 “Dealership Minds” project, the dealer group was comprised of five John Deere locations scattered throughout eastern Iowa. It was a solid choice as a dynamic business with a story to tell about transforming itself into a major force among equipment dealerships in the Midwest.
Whether it's converting customers who traditionally buy equipment of other colors, or losing a customer who was previously loyal to John Deere green, it's a serious matter, according to Randy Amosson, CEO and general manager of Precision Equipment. In fact, the dealer calls it "Chasing the Rainbow."
While point-of-purchase items such as toys, tools and grease is part of Curt Moeller's department, he's given toy aisle responsibility to Betty Jo Kennedy, an employee at the Houghton location.
In some (maybe even most), companies, non-financial folks can look at accounting departments with a jaded view. "They count the beans," some might say, "while we do the real work around here selling and servicing farm equipment."
Defining success for a farm equipment dealership boils down to building customer trust and satisfaction, says Matt Poeltler. The vice president of marketing at Precision Equipment says developing these two key areas is essential in building effective value-added packages for customers, prospects and employees.
Sitting in a modest office in the front of the Washington, Iowa, store, Ron Farrier was asked to cough up a title for a hypothetical keynote presentation to other dealer executives. His answer? "Let's Work Together."?
When Kevin Bland was 14 years old, he was hired to mow the lawn of the local farm equipment dealership in Durant, Iowa. Nearly 30 years later, he's the location manager for the same dealership, now called Precision Equipment.
"I started farming and feeding cattle with my grandfather when I was a kid and my passion for agriculture has continued to grow. He and my dad used John Deere equipment and I've always believed it's the best."
From the outside looking in, the farm equipment dealership's business doesn't look very complex, says Precision Equipment CFO and Vice President of Finance and Administration Dave Dahms.
In this episode of On the Record, brought to you by Associated Equipment Distributors, we look at President Trump's tariff reduction on ag equipment, the latest dealer sales forecasts, and how high input costs are keeping farmer sentiment down.
Since 1980, A&I Products has become a leading manufacturer and wholesale distributor of aftermarket replacement parts for the agricultural, turf, and industrial equipment markets. A&I Products' experience and expertise has greatly contributed to the company's reputation as a top supplier of quality, reasonably priced parts. Founded with roots as a small machine shop and repair facility, the company made the transition by manufacturing new parts to replace those that were identified as commonly needing repair. Throughout the 1980s, the company quickly garnered a reputation for offering quality parts at a reasonable price.
Built on 90 years of expertise, Yetter Farm Equipment leads the agriculture industry in designing effective and innovative equipment for residue management, seedbed preparation, precision fertilizer placement, harvest attachments, strip-tillage, and more.
At Machinery Scope, we believe you deserve the best risk management solutions for your investments in heavy equipment. Since 2013, we have been proud to offer extended warranty, appraisals, and inspections. Machinery Scope is a family-owned business built on our experience in farming and equipment dealerships. We understand your business and provide a personalized and professional level of customer service. Machinery Scope has built a strong warranty product with our customers in mind, offering the same professional level of service from the time you get a quote, through the processing of a claim.