MVEA Votes for Dissolution

The Mississippi Valley Equipment Association (MVEA) Board of Directors voted to recommend to its members dissolution of the association. At a membership meeting held on February 24, MVEA members voted to approve the board’s recommendation.

“Continuing changes in the industry have reduced the number of dealerships, which has led to overall declining member revenues,” said Joe Dykes, executive vice president, MVEA. “While MVEA has worked out of the North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA) office for the past three years to help reduce operating costs, it is not a viable long-term solution.”

Established in 1907, MVEA has had a rich heritage, said MVEA past president Tom Nobbe. MVEA and currently its representative on the NAEDA board, said the decision to dissolve MVEA was difficult. But because of continued industry consolidation and consequently a decline in member revenues, MVEA could not provide the increasing expense of representation in state legislatures and with manufacturers, Nobbe said.

Upon dissolution of the MVEA, Illinois dealer members will automatically become members of the Midwest Equipment Dealers Association, which represents dealers in Illinois and Wisconsin. Missouri dealer members will become members of the SouthWestern Association, which represents dealers in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico. ◆