8-store AGCO and Claas dealer Ohio Ag Equipment informed customers on May 17 it is ending its distribution arrangement with AGCO. The letter to customers said the dealer and OEM mutually decided to part ways and the dealership is working "diligently with AGCO and Class of America to find alternative distribution and dealership options to continue to support" its customers. Ohio Ag Equipment is also a dealer for Geringhoff and Woods Equipment and is the exclusive dealer of Claas combines in Ohio.

Ken Taylor, president of parent company Caterpillar dealer Ohio Machinery, said in a memo to Ohio Ag Equipment employees:

“As the world of agriculture changes, so does the landscape of its suppliers. More than ever, market forces are requiring us to look within and focus on our core competencies, optimizing our organization to more efficiently serve the industries that are closest to our roots in order to remain a viable, relevant partner with our customers. As such, and after a great deal of difficult discussion, Ohio Machinery Co. and AGCO have mutually decided to end the distribution relationship, and we will be dissolving our ag division by the end of the year.”

According to the newly released 2024 Big Dealer Report, Ohio Ag Equipment sells Claas combines at 7 of its 8 stores and is currently tied with 3 other dealers for being the 4th largest Claas dealer in North America. 

AGCO and Ohio Ag Equipment will announce the replacement and successor plans for the dealership on or before July 1, 2024.

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