20 group

PFD Summit: Collaborators Not Competitors: Establishing an External Precision Support Network

2017 Precision Farming Dealer Summit — Roundtable Coverage

By Farm Equipment Staff Report posted on March 17, 2018 | Posted in Precision Ag Sales & Service

Collaboration is usually the answer to solving a complex problem, and precision farming is no exception. Peer groups are a common way for small, independent dealers and larger, multi-store OEM retailers alike, to share ideas and strategies.

Participating in 20 Group Keeps Ellens Equipment Accountable

By Kim Schmidt posted on July 15, 2017 | Posted in Best Practices, Operations & Finance, Department Management

The management team at Ellens Equipment has been participating in a 20 group for the last 3 years. Owner Don Ellens finds that the group helps keep them accountable and almost serves as a board of directors for the dealership.

New Facility Helps Ellens Equipment Grow

By Kim Schmidt posted on July 15, 2017 | Posted in Best Practices, Operations & Finance, Department Management

In the summer of 2015 Ellens Equipment broke ground on its new facility on 20 acres in McBain, Mich., but the process had begun 2 years before that and didn’t come without its challenges.

Improving Efficiency & Costs in the Parts & Service Departments

By Kim Schmidt posted on July 15, 2017 | Posted in Best Practices, Operations & Finance, Department Management

As Ellens Equipment — Farm Equipment’s 2017 Dealership of the Year in the under $75 million in revenues category — has grown in recent years, it became clear changes in the service and parts departments were needed to help improve efficiency, reduce costs and ultimately improve the dealership’s absorption rate.

Dealership of the Year 2017: Ellens Equipment, McBain, Mich.

By Kim Schmidt posted on July 15, 2017 | Posted in Best Practices, Operations & Finance, Department Management

What do you get when the son of the local New Holland dealer marries the daughter of the local Case IH dealer? While this sounds like the start to a bad joke, it’s actually the foundation of the Ellens Equipment ownership team, a couple who knows a thing or two about running a successful dealership and who treats the business like another one of their children (including knowing when it’s time to let them spread their wings).

Dealership of the Year 2016: Van Wall Equipment, Perry, Iowa

By Kim Schmidt posted on July 18, 2016 | Posted in Best Practices, Dealer News

In Little League, coaches tell young players to “keep your eye on the ball.” The advice applies to both fielding and batting, but it is just as applicable to running a successful farm equipment dealership. That’s just what Don Van Houweling, owner of the 2016 Dealership of the Year, has done at Van Wall Equipment.

12th Annual Awards Program Recognizes Industry’s Top Dealer

By Farm Equipment Staff posted on July 18, 2016 | Posted in Best Practices, Dealer News

Despite the downturn in the ag economy, the independent judging panel once again had an impressive pool of candidates to choose in naming as this year’s Dealership of the Year recipient. Commenting on the pool of nominees the judges say, “We feel all nominees have done a very good job in profitability in view of the ‘down’ year in agriculture.”

Special Report: After the Ink Dries

Plan Early, But Have Patience

While Champlain Valley Equipment doesn’t have a script for acquiring another dealership, planning early and addressing challenges as they appear has led to six smooth dealership transitions for the company.

By Jaime Elftman posted on June 11, 2016 | Posted in Best Practices, Department Management

While Champlain Valley Equipment doesn’t have a script for acquiring another dealership, planning early and addressing challenges as they appear has led to six smooth dealership transitions for the company.