When a traditional mainline dealership becomes "separated" from its main line, generally through a contract termination but occasionally by the dealership’s own choosing, oftentimes a new shortline-only dealer is formed.
A mainline dealer whose shortline business is critical to success sets up a separate location to quiet the major about the competitive attention at the primary location. The idea has also been talked about as a hedge move to protect a dealership whose contract or future transition of that contract could be questionable.
Speaking alongside three dealers at a shortline manufacturing event in Vegas last fall, I closed up the panel citing a difference between the dealers and the independent execs in the audience.
A little over 10 years ago, Charlie Glass made a presentation to the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Assn. in which he predicted that by 2013 fewer than 50,000 farms would produce 80% of all the nation's farm commodities. He also projected that fewer than 2,000 mainline farm equipment dealerships would exist in the U.S.
Consultants and manufacturers weigh in on 7 options that are bandied about, and whether equipment dealers could see new or evolving models popping up around them.
Case IH’s announcement in February about brand purity at its dealer meeting and the specific mention of 7 lines they didn’t want to see competing with red equipment on dealers’ lots, got the attention of both dealers and manufacturers.
Developing innovative tillage tools and fertilizer injection equipment — combined with an emphasis on dealer training — is Thurston Manufacturing's roadmap for growth.
In this episode of On the Record, brought to you by Associated Equipment Distributors, we take a look at dealer consolidation has impacting the number of big dealers in 2025.
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.