Dealer, Distribution News

The boards of the Mid-America Equipment Retailers Association (MAERA) and the Ohio-Michigan Equipment Dealers Association (OMEDA) have approved a plan to merge.

MAERA Executive Vice President Kim Rominger wrote in his association’s newsletter that the merged association will work more effectively with members who have dealerships in what have been different association territories, respond more quickly to trends and issues in the industry, and “be ahead of the change curve” in this rapidly evolving industry.

Members of each association will vote on the merger this fall. The new association will cover Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan.

A John Deere dealership is under construction in Waco, Texas. Owners of Brazos Valley Equipment in the Waco area bought a 10-acre site for the 40,000-square-foot dealership. The new store will open in January 2016.

Evolution Ag has opened its new dealership in Plain City, Ohio. In addition to Case IH, the 45,000-square-foot dealership will carry MacDon, Geringhoff, Great Plains, Unverferth and J&M agricultural equipment lines.

The Minnesota-South Dakota Equipment Dealers Association in Owatonna, Minn., has named Nick Sinner as its new president and chief executive officer. Sinner is the former executive director of the Red River Valley Sugar Beet Growers Association. He will succeed Richard W. Strom, who will retire in January 2016. Sinner officially assumes the leadership position at the end of 2015. Strom has been with the equipment association for 31 years, including 16 as president and chief executive officer.

Kubota Tractor Corp. has announced the opening of its 765,000-square-foot North American Distribution Center in Edgerton, Kan.

The center will serve as the primary distribution hub for Kubota parts and whole goods distribution across the U.S. and Canada. It is located in the same development as a Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Intermodal operation, which manages products delivered on ocean freight containers, which positions the Kubota center as a site for global exports.

The facility is an extension to the company’s operations in Georgia, Texas, Ohio, and California.

The North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA) has named Joe Dykes as vice president of industry relations and Natalie Higgins as vice president of government relations and general counsel. Dykes has been with NAEDA since 2008; his work with members will continue and expand. Higgins practiced labor and employment law before joining NAEDA. She will track legislation relevant to members and serve as a resource to them.

Rocky Mountain Dealerships Inc. recently reported its financial results for the quarter ended June 30.

Highlights:

• Used equipment sales increased by 6.9% to $75.5 million from $70.6 million.
• New equipment sales decreased by 28.3% to $95.4 million from $133.1 million.
• Inventory decreased by $30.2 million or 5.7% (excluding $43.9 million of Chabot inventory acquired).
• Product support revenues increased by 9.8% to $41.4 million from $37.7 million.

The company also reported that it completed its acquisition of Chabot.  S