Charter Software Inc. is the exclusive sponsor of Rural Lifestyle Dealer magazine’s 2014 Dealership of the Year online video series. The videos highlight best practices from Armstrong Implements, the 2014 Dealership of the Year. This is the eighth year that Rural Lifestyle Dealer has recognized an equipment dealership for outstanding financial performance and innovative strategies in serving hobby farmers, large property owners, landscapers and light equipment contractors.

Rural Lifestyle Dealer recognized Armstrong Implements, Swift Current, Saskatchewan, as its 2014 Dealership of the Year. From left to right is Ed Talaga, Brandon Talaga and Bob Talaga. Charter Software is the exclusive sponsor of the magazine’s Dealership of the Year video series.

Charter Software, currently celebrating 30 years of serving equipment dealers, is the innovative software provider of ASPEN, an affordable, complete Windows-based dealership management system designed to improve the profitability of equipment dealerships. Charter continues to update the ASPEN system with tools and features to meet industry trends and needs, such as changing OEM requirements, ways to manage rental and mobile service, and the use of mobile devices for business use.

Armstrong Implements, a Kubota and Stihl dealership based in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, also carries Outback Guidance systems, Yamaha golf carts, Land Pride attachments, Traeger wood pellet grills, and Snapper, Buhler/Farm King, Wallenstein, Kuhn Krause and Westward equipment.

 “We are always pleased to see dealerships thrive and create industry benchmarks for others to follow,” says Anne Salemo, Charter’s President. “We are honored to sponsor the 2014 Dealership of the Year video series and congratulate Armstrong Implements on their success.”

Michael Ellis, publisher of Rural Lifestyle Dealer, says “Rural Lifestyle Dealer is pleased to recognize Armstrong Implements and proud to have Charter Software support this one-of-a-kind program. Both companies are committed to excellence and innovation in the rural equipment industry.”

The 2014 Dealership of the Year video series features interviews with Armstrong Implements management and sales team:

  • The management team shares why they transitioned from an ag equipment dealership to focusing on the rural lifestyle market, the internal processes they follow to build efficiencies, the financial metrics that matter the most to them and the challenges and opportunities ahead.
  • The sales team explains how they set themselves apart from the competition, the best practices for their indoor and outdoor showroom and their “hands-on” individualized approach to customer relationships.

The videos can be viewed here: http://www.rurallifestyledealer.com/pages/Dealership-of-the-Year.php

About Charter Software

Charter Software began computerizing equipment dealers in 1984 and their ASPEN software now has thousands of users across North America.

Charter provides business software for many types of equipment dealers, including rural lifestyle, agricultural, industrial/construction, outdoor power, and golf car/ATV.

Charter Software is on the shortlist of major agricultural/rural lifestyle industry suppliers and is the only dealership management system vendor approved by five regional equipment dealer associations. 

About Rural Lifestyle Dealer

Rural Lifestyle Dealer is published by Lessiter Publications. The magazine is the industry’s first and now leading magazine for equipment dealers serving the growing rural lifestyle market in North America. Lessiter Publications was founded in 1981 and provides business strategies for the ag and equine markets through its magazines, newsletters, websites, email newsletters, books, reports and events.

For more information, contact Michael Ellis, Rural Lifestyle Dealer publisher, mellis@lesspub.com, 800-645-8455, Ext. 432, or Lynn Woolf, Rural Lifestyle Dealer managing editor, lwoolf@lesspub.com, 316-648-3717.