Equipment Dealer Associations Merge

The boards of directors of the Western Equipment Dealers Association and the Pacific Northwest Association announced Monday an agreement to merge.

The merged organization, which will operate as the Western Equipment Dealers Association (14), will represent more than 1,250 dealers in the United States and Canada.

Dealers from Alaska, Washington, Idaho, and Oregon, which comprise the Pacific Northwest Association, will join WEDA and operate as a distinct region within it. Ron Moore, who is today President of the Pacific Northwest region, will serve as Vice President of the Pacific Northwest Region within WEDA.

John Schmeiser, CEO of WEDA, will continue in his leadership role.

“Our joint boards of directors have acknowledged that the dealership network has evolved over the past number of years,” Moore said, “and the service level that they require from their association has changed. A major reason for proceeding with this merger is our members will benefit from a larger, financially strong association that will provide more services to address the needs of today’s equipment dealers.”

Schmeiser said the “consolidation will be undertaken on a long-term sustainable basis with a continued commitment to grassroots involvement and a localized approach.”

The merger is expected to be effective October 1.

In addition to the new Pacific Northwest Region, WEDA represents dealers in the Canada region, which includes the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan; and the Southwest region, which includes Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. S