Kim Schmidt

Industry Q&A

How Are Industry-wide Price Increases Impacting Dealers?

By Kim Schmidt posted on September 28, 2021 | Posted in Rural Lifestyle Market, Dealer-to-Dealer Resources

What level of price increases have you seen from the manufacturers for the lines you carry? How do these price increases compare to previous years, and what sort of impact will they have on your business?

Start Growing Tomorrow’s Dealership Leaders Now

By Kim Schmidt posted on August 3, 2021 | Posted in Best Practices, Dealer-to-Dealer Resources

We’re back! Today kicks off the 2021 Dealership Minds Summit — Developing Your Homegrown Talent. It feels great to be back hosting an in-person event after 18 months of virtual meetings. I’m looking forward to seeing those who were able to make it out to Omaha for the Summit.

Is There Life Beyond Deere?

By Kim Schmidt posted on May 26, 2021 | Posted in Manufacturer News, Dealer News

Tennessee lost its last single-store John Deere dealer in March, but it didn’t lose a dealer. Clifford Pugh, owner of Tri-County Equipment in Crossville, Tenn., announced recently that Deere informed him in March 2020 that they would be terminating his contract on Sept. 2, 2020 because of lower than expected market share performance.

Getting Back on the Road

By Kim Schmidt posted on March 22, 2021

In typical years, the first quarter is a busy time for our staff, with a lot of time spent out of the office at industry events, meetings and visits with dealers. It’s hard to believe that with the exception of a few regional visits to dealers it’s been a year since we’ve done any extensive travel.

Getting Back on the Road

By Kim Schmidt posted on March 22, 2021

In typical years, the first quarter is a busy time for our staff, with a lot of time spent out of the office at industry events, meetings and visits with dealers. It’s hard to believe that with the exception of a few regional visits to dealers it’s been a year since we’ve done any extensive travel.

To the Point: Building Your Bench

By Kim Schmidt posted on February 2, 2021 | Posted in Data & Forecasts

If one of your department managers was promoted — or even left the dealership — do you know who would replace them? Do you have employees who you’ve mentored and trained who are prepared to move into management roles?

Dealership of the Year

Ewald Kubota: Maintaining a 'Family Atmosphere' in a Multi-Store Dealership

By Kim Schmidt posted on January 4, 2018 | Posted in Best Practices

John Ewald, owner of Ewald Kubota, shares how his store visits help him identify issues and develop the skills of individual team members. Ewald Kubota is Rural Lifestyle Dealer's 2017 Dealership of the Year in the multi-store category.

Dealership of the Year

Sales Incentives Keep Used Inventory Manageable for Ewald Kubota

By Kim Schmidt posted on November 21, 2017 | Posted in Best Practices

Ewald Kubota is Rural Lifestyle Dealer's 2017 Dealership of the Year in the multi-store category. John Ewald, owner, details the dealership's used equipment strategy.

Dealership of the Year 2017 — Multi-Store Recipient

Ewald Kubota — Seguin, Texas

Multi-store Texas dealership focuses on keeping a personal touch with customers and employees as it grows.

By Kim Schmidt posted on November 11, 2017 | Posted in Best Practices

Next year, Ewald Kubota will celebrate 70 years in business. And while the dealership has experienced a number of changes and challenges in that time — manufacturer changes, the recession of the 1980s and now growth and expansion — owner John Ewald still manages and approaches the dealership like the family business it is. The dealership began as a single location Ford dealership in Seguin, Texas, and today is a 7-store Kubota dealership with locations throughout south-central Texas and one rental location.