This year our panel of judges were faced with another strong pool of nominees for the Dealership of the Year. But they made their choices and the 2014 Dealerships of the Year are: PrairieLand Partners, a 9-store network based in Hutchinson, Kan., in the large multi-store operation category; and Godfrey Bros., a single-store dealer located in Jonesville, Mich., in the small-store operation category.
The 2014 recipient in the large, multi-store category of the Dealership of the Year program — PrairieLand Partners, headquartered in Hutchinson, Kan. — embodies much of what you’d expect from a professionally managed dealership group for the 21st century. Things like decisiveness and objectivity, action plans that groom and test the next generation, and hard discussions about getting people in the right seats on the bus — and moving those who are not.
Single-store dealers who handle John Deere farm equipment are becoming a vanishing breed. Kevin Godfrey knows this. He also knows other small Deere dealers who have been squeezed out of the business to make way for the company's "bigger is better" model for its retailers. He's feeling the pressure and understands the push for larger multi-location dealerships isn't going to go away; it's how Deere wants it.
After a decade of annually selecting the top performing dealerships in North America, we have seen 21 dealerships, large and small, earn the title of Dealership of the Year by meeting and exceeding Farm Equipment’s criteria for a top dealership. Despite its challenges, these farm equipment dealers are comprised of many top performers making significant contributions to agriculture, their farm customers and their local communities.
Everyone needs a little inspiration now and then. To start your week off on the right foot, we are bringing you a new motivational quote every Monday. Enjoy!
“One of the strengths here is a willingness to look long-term,” says Doug Neufeld, CEO of PrairieLand Partners, the 2014 Large Multi-Store Category recipient of Dealership of the Year.
Farm Equipment’s interviews with the managers of 2014 Large Multi-Store Operation Dealership of the Year PrairieLand Partners yielded some of the keys to transitioning the merger of their three separate businesses (Deer Trail Implement, Conrady Western and Pankratz Implement) in 2008, along with some lessons learned.
Service technicians who repair the powerful LEXION combine have regularly attended classes to stay abreast of the most recent updates to the cutting edge harvesting equipment and to learn new diagnostic techniques.
This first-ever 2-day National Strip-Tillage Conference presents you with a unique opportunity to network with strip-tillers and gain helpful insights into their practices and equipment needs.
In this episode of On the Record, brought to you by Associated Equipment Distributors, we take a look at how the flooding in Texas will impact the ag industry and check in with some dealers in the region.
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.