The parts department isn’t a particularly sexy department, so most dealers usually put their focus on the sales department. We haven’t been that way. Parts first is how we look at ourselves.” That’s what one dealer recently told me when I asked him what set his dealership apart. He went on to explain how the parts department is the first priority when it comes to training, showroom space and merchandising.
Three years ago farm equipment dealers said they would make a major push to improve the performance of their parts business and bolster their bottom lines. So, how far have they come?
While visiting a Case IH dealer several years ago a farmer walked into the dealership. As he joined in on our conversation it was clear he was a loyal John Deere customer, but he was also a good friend of the owner of the Case IH dealership. He said, “I just came from my dealer down the road and you know what? They don’t have a quart of green paint in that store. They told me they could have it for me by tomorrow. Can you believe that?”
If your strategy for selling parts is relying on walk-in traffic or the service department, you’re missing out on opportunities. “Dealers who are relying on walk-in traffic are the dealers who are complaining about their parts business.
More than 60% of dealers who responded to Farm Equipment’s 2017 parts operations survey indicate they’ve made modifications to how they manage their parts inventories during the past 3 years. Here’s a list of several changes dealers say they have made to improve parts operations.
Asked of the biggest challenge to their parts operations during the downturn in wholegoods sales the past 3 years, farm equipment dealers point to online sales and competition from aftermarket sellers.
Does your dealership participate in programs where service parts orders placed with the OEM are shipped directly to the dealership from the manufacturer of the parts (direct ship)?
“Be brutally honest.” That was the advice a dealer-principal shared at a recent best practice group that I lead. This insight got the group talking about how best to achieve good results from employees, colleagues, vendors, etc.
A newly patented process for “taking the temperature of growing crops” from aircraft flying nearly a mile above the field is promising to bring quicker notifications of plant stress than the popular NDVI monitoring usually associated with GreenSeeker technology.
Three years ago farm equipment dealers said they would make a major push to improve the performance of their parts business and bolster their bottom lines. So, how far have they come?
While visiting a Case IH dealer several years ago a farmer walked into the dealership. As he joined in on our conversation it was clear he was a loyal John Deere customer, but he was also a good friend of the owner of the Case IH dealership. He said, “I just came from my dealer down the road and you know what? They don’t have a quart of green paint in that store. They told me they could have it for me by tomorrow. Can you believe that?”
A newly patented process for “taking the temperature of growing crops” from aircraft flying nearly a mile above the field is promising to bring quicker notifications of plant stress than the popular NDVI monitoring usually associated with GreenSeeker technology.
“Be brutally honest.” That was the advice a dealer-principal shared at a recent best practice group that I lead. This insight got the group talking about how best to achieve good results from employees, colleagues, vendors, etc.
In this episode of On the Record, brought to you by Associated Equipment Distributors, we look at Compeer Financial and PepsiCo’s pilot program to help lower the cost of strip-till equipment for farmers.
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.