Rural Lifestyle Dealer congratulates Ranchland Tractor & ATV, Saucier, Miss., as its single-store Dealership of the Year and Sherwood Tractor, Rose Bud and Atkins Ark., as its multi-store Dealership of the Year in the 12th annual awards program.

The nominations were judged by an expert panel that includes Dr. W. David Downey, David L. Kahler and Charles R. Glass. (Learn more about the judges below.) The panel chooses the finalists based on 10 categories.

Ranchland Tractor & ATV topped the nominees in the single-store category in terms of return on assets, absorption rate and revenue generated per employee and tied for first in two other categories. Sherwood Tractor topped the nominees in the multi-store category for highest revenue generated per employee and return on assets and tied for tops in 3-year revenue growth. 

Special recognition was also awarded to Beaumont Tractor Co. for being chosen as Best in Class in the single-store category. The judges recognized its revenue generated per employee, absorption rate, return on assets and 3-year sales growth.

Kahler shares what he thinks it takes to reach Dealership of the Year status: “I believe the most important element for rural lifestyle dealers to be successful in the next 5 years is to strive to push your revenue per employee over $600,000 and keep your return on assets percentage close to 10%. Finally, a successful dealership has to constantly make its customers feel important. This helps creates viable relationships with customers, which leads to sales.”

Read other reflections and recommendations form the judges, www.RuralLifestyleDealer.com/DOYStatus.

Extending our Appreciation

Dr. W. David Downey is Executive Director, Center for Agricultural Business (CAB), Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind. Dr. Downey is responsible for the development of education programs at the CAB, which is regarded as the leading center for agribusiness education in the U.S. A distinguished agricultural marketing professor and proficient author, Dr. Downey also consults extensively throughout North America on a variety of agribusiness issues and related topics.

David L. Kahler is retired CEO of Ohio-Michigan Equipment Dealers Assn., Dublin, Ohio. Kahler spent his entire 39-year full-time career assisting equipment dealer-principals with their business affairs. He served for 22 years as CEO and was an active industry participant who earned the respect of both dealers and manufacturers. Kahler retired from full-time employment in 2008, but still works part-time as the associate director for AMG LLC. He is now in his 50th year of serving dealers.

Charles R. Glass is President of Glass Management Group, Arlington, Texas. With more than 4 decades in the industry, Glass produces an annual tractor and combine forecast and provides technical assistance to various investment groups. A former director of Farm Equipment Manufacturers Assn., he is also a frequent presenter and author of several white papers on the future of farm equipment distribution. He was a long-time chairman of FEMA’s Dealer Relations Committee.

Read 2018 Dealership of the Year Single-Store Dealer Ranchland Tractor & ATV Full Article

Read 2018 Dealership of the Year Multi-Store Dealer Sherwood Tractor Full Article