Best Practices

2014 Dealership of the Year Award Winner: Godfrey Bros

By Dave Kanicki posted on July 15, 2014 | Posted in Best Practices

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.

Dealership of the Year Retrospective: A Decade of Change & Challenges

By Jaime Elftman posted on July 15, 2014 | Posted in Best Practices

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.

Web-Exclusive Feature

Motivational Monday

| Posted in Best Practices

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!

PrairieLand Partners: Investing to Multiplying the Skills of Others

July 1, 2014 | Posted in Best Practices

“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.

PrairieLand Partners: Checklist for a Successful Merger

July 1, 2014 | Posted in Best Practices

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.

Top Service Techs Attend 'Top Gun' Lexion Service Training

June 26, 2014 | Posted in Best Practices

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.

2014 National Strip-Tillage Conference Coming Up

June 23, 2014 | Posted in Best Practices

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.