Jaime Elftman is Assistant Editor for Farm Equipment. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin, she joined Lessiter Publications as an editorial intern in 2014 before joining the staff full-time later that same summer.

Contact: jelftman@lessitermedia.com

Special Report: After the Ink Dries

A History of Acquisitions and Owner Transitions for Champlain Valley Equipment

By Jaime Elftman posted on June 11, 2016 | Posted in Best Practices, Department Management

Over the past 15 years, Champlain Valley Equipment, a 5-store New Holland, Case IH and Kubota dealership in Vermont, has acquired six other dealerships. In several cases, the selling owner was offered a new position within the dealership. Brian Carpenter, general manager of Champlain Valley, says making the transition from owner to staff member has gone smoothly in each case.

Special Report: After the Ink Dries

Plan Early, But Have Patience

While Champlain Valley Equipment doesn’t have a script for acquiring another dealership, planning early and addressing challenges as they appear has led to six smooth dealership transitions for the company.

By Jaime Elftman posted on June 11, 2016 | Posted in Best Practices, Department Management

Sponsored Content: Success in Shortline Machinery

Meeting Customer Demands with a Diverse Product Lineup

By Jaime Elftman posted on May 9, 2016 | Posted in Niche Equipment Markets

Diversity is key for Ritchie Implement. The dealership's commitment to a variety of product lines, a broad customer base and the addition of third generation management have made the dealer a success. “We don’t keep all our eggs in one basket,” says CEO and Co-owner Ron Ritchie.

Sponsored Content: Success in Shortline Machinery

Growing and Planning for the Future as a Shortline Machinery Dealer

Over the past 20 years, Inwood, Iowa, machinery dealer Faber’s Farm Equipment has added numerous shortlines to its offering, expanded its facility five times and is now building a second location in Watertown, S.D.

By Jaime Elftman posted on April 25, 2016 | Posted in Facilities, Niche Equipment Markets

Mobile Technologies Increase Technician Efficiency

By Jaime Elftman posted on April 8, 2016 | Posted in Department Management

The last 5-10 years have seen leaps and bounds in mobile technology that is making nearly every aspect of our lives easier. Tom Barnes, solutions manager with CDK Global Heavy Equipment, explains how mobile solutions are increasing efficiency in dealership service departments.

Building Customer Loyalty Through Quality Service, Not Low Prices

Dealer consultant Bob Clements emphasizes the importance of quality service over low price when developing a profitable service department and building a loyal customer base.

By Jaime Elftman posted on April 6, 2016 | Posted in Department Management

Quality service, not low prices, builds customer loyalty, and customer loyalty means return business. That’s what every dealership needs to shoot for.

PFD Summit: Developing Privacy Policies to Protect Customer Data

Solid privacy policies can ease tensions between dealers and their customers relating to data management and protect dealers from potential liability cases.

By Jaime Elftman posted on March 12, 2016 | Posted in Best Practices, Precision Ag Sales & Service

Alongside the benefits of evolving technology and increasingly in-depth data collection, come increased risks that can create tension between dealers and their customers. To allay potential customer concerns, dealers and manufacturers must answer these questions: Who owns the data? Who can access it today and in the future?

PFD Summit: Recruiting & Retaining Precision Farming Specialists

Knowing what traits to look for and where to find new employees is only the beginning. Keeping employees is a whole other battle.

By Jaime Elftman posted on March 12, 2016 | Posted in Department Management, Precision Ag Sales & Service

Finding the next generation of precision farming specialists is a challenge that almost 40% of dealers reported was among their most important issues in the Precision Farming Dealer 2015 Benchmark Study. First, dealers must identify the traits they’re looking for in potential candidates for their fast-paced, rapidly evolving precision farming departments. Then, they face the challenge of actually finding these recruits.

Sponsored Content: Success in Shortline Machinery

Selling Shortline Machinery to Generate Trade-Ins — A Symbiotic Relationship

Big Equipment in West Havre, Mont., has found the key to selling shortline machinery is being able to take trade-ins and provide personal service and support.

By Jaime Elftman posted on March 7, 2016 | Posted in Niche Equipment Markets

Big Equipment in West Havre, Mont., has found the key to selling shortline machinery is being able to take trade-ins and provide personal service and support.

Sponsored Content: Success in Shortline Machinery

The Key to Profitably Buying and Selling Used Equipment

By Jaime Elftman posted on March 4, 2016 | Posted in Niche Equipment Markets

Big Equipment in West Havre, Mont., has found the key to selling shortline machinery is being able to take trade-ins and provide personal service and support.

Farm Equipment Videos

Right to Repair Watch & Shortline Manufacturers’ Impact on Dealers

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.

Top Directory Listings

A&I Products

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.

Yetter Farm Equipment

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Machinery Scope

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.

Jaime Elftman

ARTICLES

A History of Acquisitions and Owner Transitions for Champlain Valley Equipment

Plan Early, But Have Patience

Meeting Customer Demands with a Diverse Product Lineup

Growing and Planning for the Future as a Shortline Machinery Dealer

Mobile Technologies Increase Technician Efficiency

Building Customer Loyalty Through Quality Service, Not Low Prices

PFD Summit: Developing Privacy Policies to Protect Customer Data

PFD Summit: Recruiting & Retaining Precision Farming Specialists

Selling Shortline Machinery to Generate Trade-Ins — A Symbiotic Relationship

The Key to Profitably Buying and Selling Used Equipment

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