Colorado & Nebraska Deere Dealerships Merge

John Deere dealerships Kay Jan, Inc, headquartered in Fort Morgan, CO, and 21st Century Equipment, headquartered in Bridgeport, NE, have announced their intent to merge by May 1, 2011. The merged company will be called 21st Century Equipment.

“This is not an acquisition of one company by another. It is truly a merger of equals,” said Owen Palm, who will serve as chief executive officer of the firm. Palm is currently CEO and general manager of 21st Century Equipment.

Jeff Bieber, current president of Kay Jan, will serve as chief operations officer of the merged company. “This new company is positioned to serve customers across the High Plains with leading edge ag technology over the long haul as agriculture is faced with challenge and opportunity,” Bieber said.

In addition to its Fort Morgan headquarters, Kay Jan has Colorado locations in Flagler, Akron, and Cheyenne Wells, plus a location in Leoti, KS. 21st Century Equipment has Nebraska locations in Alliance, Gordon, Imperial, Ogallala, and Sidney in addition to its Bridgeport headquarters. ◆