Starting from Scratch vs. Acquisition

Responding to Farm Equipment’s survey on post-acquisition strategies, Lance Carlson of Quincy Tractor took the opportunity to compare starting a new farm equipment store location from scratch and acquiring an existing dealership.

He says, “The last one we started from scratch — hiring all new people, building a new facility — it just takes tons of capital to start with. I have no regrets in terms of location, the people we hired or the overall project at all.

"What I learned is the lesson of going into unchartered water vs. an acquisition of an existing operating business. Boy they are totally different!

“Starting a new facility from scratch, where we didn’t even have a broom is something I do not ever want to do again.”

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