Articles by Ben Thorpe

Farmers Look for Value, Specialization in Shortline Purchases

Farm Equipment’s second shortline farmer survey found growers continue to purchase shortline equipment based on price, special features and availability.

By Ben Thorpe posted on August 25, 2022 | Posted in Data & Forecasts

According to Farm Equipment’s second annual survey to farmers about their shortline manufacturers, farmers continue to buy shortline equipment due to the quality they get for the price and the major lines’ lack of experience in niche areas.

6 Things Dealers Need to Know About the Recent John Deere Display Hack

By Ben Thorpe posted on August 24, 2022 | Posted in Manufacturer & Dealer Issues

According to an Aug. 13 report from Wired, a hacker known as "Sick.Codes" presented a jailbreak he performed on John Deere 2630 and 4240 displays at DEF CON 2022, an annual hacking convention in Las Vegas held on Aug. 11-14.

2022 Equipment Dealers Assn. Dealer-Manufacturer Relations Survey

Dealers Rank Kubota Canada & Branson as Top Full-Line & Tractor Mfrs.

In its first year on the survey, Kubota Canada takes the top slot among full-line manufacturers, while Branson ranked 1st among tractor manufacturers for the 3rd year in a row.

By Ben Thorpe posted on July 1, 2022 | Posted in Manufacturer & Dealer Issues

The Equipment Dealers Assn. (EDA) has released the results of its annual Dealer-Manufacturer Relations Survey to equipment dealers.

Executive Q&A

Finding a Corporate Mindset Through M&A Growth

Florida Coast Equipment CEO Todd Bachman talks about the struggles and successes he found while dramatically growing the dealership over the last year.

By Ben Thorpe posted on July 1, 2022 | Posted in Best Practices

Todd Bachman, CEO of 11-store Kubota dealership Florida Coast Equipment, has been busy this past year. The dealership acquired its 11th location in Kissimmee, Fla., in January and over the last 12 months, has taken on 7 new locations.

How Will the UAW Strike Impact Customers' Purchasing Plans?

By Ben Thorpe posted on May 18, 2022 | Posted in Manufacturer & Dealer Issues

When asked how they anticipated their customers' planned purchases to be impacted by the strike if it lasted 30 days or more, responses from Case IH and New Holland dealers were mixed.

Nearly 80% of CNH Dealers Forecast Lost New Wholegoods Revenue From Strike

By Ben Thorpe posted on May 6, 2022 | Posted in Data & Forecasts

A recent survey from Farm Equipment, conducted from May 3-4, found that 79.7% of CNH dealers forecast some degree of lost new wholegoods revenue if the ongoing strike lasts 30 or more days.

Why Monarch Tractor Will Help Farmers do More Repairs Themselves

By Ben Thorpe posted on May 5, 2022 | Posted in Manufacturer & Dealer Issues

In this episode of Farm Equipment Soundbites, Monarch Tractor CEO Praveen Penmetsa talks about what role the company sees farmers playing in the repairs of their all-electric, autonomous tractor.

Salford Halo VRT

By Ben Thorpe posted on March 28, 2022 | Posted in Product Innovations & Introductions

The Salford Halo VRT is a variable-rate tillage design on a forward folding, high-speed disc frame. The Halo VRT’s wide range of gang angle adjustments allows it to perform spring and fall operations with ease.

Johnson Tractor Prioritizes People with Rochelle, Ill., Facility

Little things like heated floors, air-conditioned showrooms and automatic doors can elevate a dealership’s success.

By Ben Thorpe posted on March 24, 2022 | Posted in Facilities, Dealer News

Leo Johnson, retired president of Johnson Tractor, a 5-store Case IH dealer with locations in Wisconsin and Illinois, speaks honestly about the dealership’s previous location in Rochelle, Ill.: It was old.

Executive Q&A

Why Birkey’s Farm Store Set Up an ESOP

Mike Hedge, CEO of 17-store Case IH dealer Birkey’s Farm Store, says the ESOP helps with employee retention and will fuel future acquisitions.

By Ben Thorpe posted on March 22, 2022 | Posted in Best Practices, Operations & Finance

Birkey’s Farm Store, a 17-store Case IH dealership with locations in Illinois and Indiana, announced Jan. 6, 2022, it had become 100% employee-owned as part of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, otherwise known as an ESOP.

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Big Dealer Consolidation Continues in 2024

In this episode of On the Record, brought to you by Weasler Engineering, we break down the key takeaways from Ag Equipment Intelligence's newly released 2024 Big Dealer Report. In the Technology Corner, Noah Newman shows us how cover crop planting could be done autonomously. Also in this episode, CNH Industrial reports a drop in ag sales, AGCO combine and application equipment sales are down year-over-year and a UK New Holland factory strike could impact North America.

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Montag Mfg

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