Dealer Succession

2026 Farm Equipment Dealer Hall of Fame Video Series

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 10:00:00 -0400

The 17-part 2026 Farm Equipment Dealer Hall of Fame Video Series is sponsored by Geringhoff, the 3rd class of inductees exemplify excellence for today’s — and tomorrow’s — industry leaders.

Dealership of the Year: Mazergroup

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 07:42:00 -0500

At 18 stores, Mazergroup is the largest New Holland dealership group in North America. But its size alone isn’t what sets it apart or what caught the eyes of the Dealership of the Year judges. It’s the Brandon, Man.-based dealership’s focus on operational excellence, customer experience and employee development that earned the group Farm Equipment’s 2025 Dealership of the Year honors.

Dealership of the Year: Lowe & Young

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 07:42:00 -0500

Lowe & Young, the last names of the original owners, started in 1949. When Bill Hartzler first started working there, more than 41 years ago, Roy Lowe and Don Young were still active in the business. Starting out as a Minneapolis Moline dealership and a Sohio gas station they also sold tractors and Lincoln welders. Eventually, the Minneapolis Moline brand went away and Massey Ferguson, New Holland and other brands were added.

Strengthening the Next Link in the Chain

mlessiter@lesspub.com — Sun, 16 Nov 2025 23:00:00 -0500

A steelmaking analogy — hardening, tempering & tensile strength — describes the biggest ask of today’s managers … to bring strength by responsibly exposing the team to the flames.

Farm Equipment Takeaways: September 2025

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Read key takeaways from several of the features found in the September 2025 issue of Farm Equipment.

Calculated Risk & Generational Leadership Define More Farm Stores

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

An ag tractor dealer started by Homer More in 1913 is still running strong, led by the 4th generation leader of the family. At the helm today is Andy More, president, Homer’s great grandson.

I Shed a Tear

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

A touching reflection on watching a grandson step into the family business — and the emotions that come with seeing him grow up behind the wheel.

Farm Equipment Takeaways: July/August 2025

Sun, 20 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Read key takeaways from several of the features found in the July/August 2025 issue of Farm Equipment.

Johnson Tractor’s Third Generation Shares Leadership Journey

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Cousins assume third-generation leadership roles at Johnson Tractor

Driving Dealer Success with a Focus on Culture & Customer

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400

With a single store & one small parts location, this Ohio dealership’s management drives growth with a laser focus on people & service to achieve steady growth. The 2025 Dealership of the Year is brought to you with the support of Associated Equipment Distributors (AED).

How to Scale — Without Losing Customer-First Roots

mlessiter@lesspub.com — Wed, 21 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400

P&K Equipment’s owner and chairman is Dr. Barry Pollard, an unlikely executive leading a fast-growing, Oklahoma-based John Deere dealer group that leapfrogged the state of Missouri into Iowa.

Butler Finds Strength in Leadership Development

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0400

At Butler Machinery, leadership development isn’t just a buzzword or a chapter of a handbook — it's a true investment the company has made in its people and success.

2025 Farm Equipment Dealer Hall of Fame Inductee: Norm & Blaine Bingham

mlessiter@lesspub.com — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Without the generous farmland of other parts of American agriculture, the Arizona market demanded equipment dealers to be early pioneers in consolidation, diversification and centralized operations.

2025 Farm Equipment Dealer Hall of Fame Inductee: Woody McCartney

mlessiter@lesspub.com — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Are You Mentoring? Or Managing?

mlessiter@lesspub.com — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500

A week spent at a conference in Kansas City spurs an examination of the nuanced terminology.

Dealership of the Year: H&R Agri-Power

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 07:42:00 -0500

With a desire to provide exceptional customer service and an eye toward technological innovation, H&R Agri-Power has watched its business grow from one location in 1990 to 21 locations and more than $700 million in annual revenue. And the dealership comes in at number 30 on the Farm Equipment Dealer 100 list™ — the 4th largest Case IH dealer on the list.

Dealership of the Year: Eis Implement

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 07:42:00 -0500

The Kentucky-based John Deere dealership had a black eye from a lease program that spun out of control, a change in ownership, an entire turnover in its leadership team, and ill feelings from its OEM as well as inline competition. It was also trying to unite two fierce rivals who suddenly were to be on the same team, not to mention staff having to trust an all-new class of leaders who had no farming or machinery roots.

Understanding the ESOP Transition

Sun, 08 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500

A business succession option gaining traction in today’s climate is the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).

Keys to Understanding the Current Value of Your Dealership

Tue, 05 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Having a good understanding of the current value of your dealership is more critical than ever. Dealers have been facing a tsunami of factors impacting their business and its growth — dealer market consolidation, manufacturer price increases, changing interest rates and commodity pricing, to name a few.

Future Succession Plans

Sun, 03 Nov 2024 01:00:00 -0500

In a flourishing, well-established business like Vanderloop Equipment (VE), there is always a question of who is next in line to take over.

[Video] Combine Clinic Boosts Credibility with Customers after Dealership Acquisition

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Salesperson Ryan Seger reflects on a busy summer in Vincennes, Ind., where Alliance Tractor was acquired by 22-store John Deere dealer Sloan Implement in July.

[Video] Preparing for Harvest & Dealing with High Amounts of Used Inventory

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Jason Boyles, store manager for Sloan Implement in Vincennes, Ind., shares how the dealership is approaching the upcoming harvest season.

[Video] Summer of Change: Navigating Sloan Implement’s Acquisition of Alliance Tractor

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Store manager Jason Boyles breaks down a busy summer for the Vincennes, Ind., dealership formerly known as Alliance Tractor after it was acquired by 22-store John Deere dealer Sloan Implement.

Dealership Minds Summit Knowledge Benefits Farmers, Too

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400

I spent a day and a half at the Dealership Minds Summit in Madison, Wisconsin in early August. It's an annual program for dealerships -- that I believe will benefit all farmers, too.

Dealers on the Move: July 19, 2024

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Sun, 21 Jul 2024 06:00:39 -0400

This week’s dealers on the move include Atlantic & Southern Equipment and Florida Coast Equipment.

What Homer Taught Us About Mentoring…

mlessiter@lesspub.com — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 10:15:00 -0400

The average professional, if they’re lucky, might be able to cite one mentor in their life. I’ve been blessed with several who decided that developing me, advising me and correcting me was worth their effort.

Stotz & Premier Form International Partnership

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 07:00:39 -0400

The number of dealers — particularly Deere dealers — who have expanded their footprint non-contiguously is on the rise. On June 20, Arizona-based Stotz Equipment and Ontario-based Premier Equipment announced the two firms were partnering to strengthen and position both companies for growth. The combined group will have 33 stores."

Sentera Launches Precision Weed Management Solution

Sun, 30 Jun 2024 07:00:39 -0400

Precision ag startup Sentera launched an Early Access Program to preview its Aerial WeedScout product. The company says the program will provide valuable feedback and build momentum for the 2025 commercial release of Aerial WeedScout.

Dealers on the Move: June 28, 2024

Sat, 29 Jun 2024 07:00:39 -0400

This week’s Dealers on the Move include Skyview Equipment and RDO. 2-store Missouri and Kansas New Holland dealer Skyview Equipment recently consolidated its stores — including its distribution business — under the Skyview Equipment name. John Deere dealer RDO Equipment finalized its acquisition of Rocky Mountain Transit & Laser this week, expanding its construction tech solutions offerings in 8 locations across Idaho, Wyoming and Utah.

‘Ship, Shipmate, Self’

mlessiter@lesspub.com — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

On Sunday, I attended the “Amerifest” service for the first time at a church across town. This 36th annual event honors America’s veterans with an all-day celebration.