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Rural Lifestyle Dealer

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Fall 2017

Volume: 11
Edition: 3

2017 Dealership of the Year: Big Valley Tractor and Ewald Kubota

  • Table of Contents

    Table of Contents

    From the Field

    The Robots are Coming

    By Lynn Marcinkowski Woolf posted on November 11, 2017 | Posted in Best Practices
    Robotics are established in manufacturing facilities and are now making their way into our communities and crop fields and your customers’ properties. For instance, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously approved the “Self-Drive” act to speed the deployment of self-driving cars without human controls and bar states from blocking autonomous vehicles. John Deere recently acquired robotics start-up Blue River Technology, maker of “see-and-spray” robots that affix to tractors.
    Read More
    DOY
    Dealership of the Year 2017

    Dealership of the Year Program: Growing Stronger

    Announcing the 2017 Dealership of the Year Recipients
    November 11, 2017 | Posted in Dealer News, Best Practices
    The Rural Lifestyle Dealer team extends our appreciation to the Dealership of the Year judging panel made up of Dr. W. David Downey, David L. Kahler, Charles R. Glass. Read their thoughts on the caliber of the dealers.
    Read More
    IMG_1120.jpg
    Dealership of the Year 2017 — Single-Store Recipient

    Big Valley Tractor — Stockton, Calif.

    Big Valley Tractor earns recognition by dominating its market, achieving strong revenue per employee and its ‘when do you want it delivered?’ attitude.
    By Lynn Marcinkowski Woolf posted on November 11, 2017 | Posted in Best Practices

    The Franzia family has a track record of successfully bringing new products to the market. Back in 1976, Louis and Josie Franzia, established a Bobcat dealership before many in the area even knew what a skid steer was. Their son, Don, joined the business the next year and catapulted sales for the next 40 years. Don and his wife, Nancy, saw a similar opportunity — and a much-needed chance at diversification — by taking on the Kubota line and creating Big Valley Tractor in 1998. The decision proved to be the right one for the dealership. Last year, Big Valley Tractor had a record year for sales and achieved 69% market share. This impressive performance and other business practices helped them earn the 2017 Rural Lifestyle Dealer single-store Dealership of the Year.


    Read More
    054_Ewald_Equipment_KS_1017.jpg
    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.
    Read More
    Money.jpg

    Compensation Collective: Breaking Down the Pay-Grade Across U.S. Equipment Dealerships

    The Equipment Dealers Assn.’s bi-annual report on salary, benefits and total compensation for different positions at ag and OPE dealerships provides managers with a benchmark resource.
    By James DeGraff posted on November 11, 2017 | Posted in Data & Forecasts
    In 2016, the Equipment Dealers Assn. (EDA) released a revised Compensation & Benefits Survey questionnaire to include wage data pertaining to office staff, parts, service and sales departments. Included are descriptions for over 30 jobs and bonus structures, data categorized by dealer revenues and more.
    Read More
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    What Rural Lifestylers Want From You

    Agritourism Operation Meets Growing ‘Locavore’ Demand

    Meuer Farm hosts as many as 25,000 visitors each year, educating them about locally-grown food and sustainable agriculture.
    By Lynn Marcinkowski Woolf posted on November 11, 2017 | Posted in Rural Lifestyle Market
    David and Leslie Meuer transitioned from milking 40 dairy cows and farming 150 acres to hosting as many as 25,000 visitors on their agricultural tourism (agritourism) operation near Chilton, Wis. They have successfully tapped into the “locavore” movement — consumers who seek locally grown or produced food — while fulfilling their dream of a sustainable farming operation.
    Read More
    Achieving Peak Performance

    Improve Customers' Experiences with Menu Pricing

    You’re not being locked into a price, but giving your customer a starting point.
    By Bob Clements posted on November 11, 2017 | Posted in Best Practices
    Most dealerships today are doing a better job of utilizing standard or flat labor rates for their repair work, but few are taking advantage of menu pricing for their basic services.
    Read More
  • Featured Articles

    Featured Articles

    From the Field

    The Robots are Coming

    By Lynn Marcinkowski Woolf posted on November 11, 2017 | Posted in Best Practices
    Robotics are established in manufacturing facilities and are now making their way into our communities and crop fields and your customers’ properties. For instance, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously approved the “Self-Drive” act to speed the deployment of self-driving cars without human controls and bar states from blocking autonomous vehicles. John Deere recently acquired robotics start-up Blue River Technology, maker of “see-and-spray” robots that affix to tractors.
    Read More
    IMG_1120.jpg
    Dealership of the Year 2017 — Single-Store Recipient

    Big Valley Tractor — Stockton, Calif.

    Big Valley Tractor earns recognition by dominating its market, achieving strong revenue per employee and its ‘when do you want it delivered?’ attitude.
    By Lynn Marcinkowski Woolf posted on November 11, 2017 | Posted in Best Practices

    The Franzia family has a track record of successfully bringing new products to the market. Back in 1976, Louis and Josie Franzia, established a Bobcat dealership before many in the area even knew what a skid steer was. Their son, Don, joined the business the next year and catapulted sales for the next 40 years. Don and his wife, Nancy, saw a similar opportunity — and a much-needed chance at diversification — by taking on the Kubota line and creating Big Valley Tractor in 1998. The decision proved to be the right one for the dealership. Last year, Big Valley Tractor had a record year for sales and achieved 69% market share. This impressive performance and other business practices helped them earn the 2017 Rural Lifestyle Dealer single-store Dealership of the Year.


    Read More
    054_Ewald_Equipment_KS_1017.jpg
    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.
    Read More
  • Digital Edition

    Digital Edition

  • Online Extras

    Online Extras

    Online Extras: Fall 2017 Issue

    November 11, 2017

    Web-exclusive content for this issue includes:

    • Managing the Store: Preparing for the Worst
    • Videos from the 2017 Dealership of the Year series with Big Valley Tractor and Ewald Kubota
    • Exstensive new product and video coverage from the 2017 GIE+EXPO
    • Additional EDA analysis

    Read More

This month's digital sponsors:

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Top Directory Listings
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Yanmar

Yanmar America is the North American headquarters of Yanmar Holdings. Ranked #1 in Product Quality for five years in a row by the Equipment Dealers Association, Yanmar provides innovative solutions for Rural Lifestyle and Industrial Equipment customers.


Yanmar was the world’s first manufacturer to develop a practical small diesel engine in 1933 and has continued to push the boundaries of innovation and technology ever since. As a manufacturer of diesel engines, compact tractors and utility task vehicles, construction machinery, and industrial equipment, Yanmar's products are sold in over 130 countries.


At Yanmar America, we are committed to providing our customers with the highest quality products and services, backed by a strong team of professionals who share our dedication to excellence. We look forward to the opportunity to work with you in achieving your goals.

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Stihl Inc

Virginia Beach-based STIHL Inc., produces a full line of high-quality, handheld outdoor power equipment including blowers, trimmers, brushcutters, and multi-task tools, as well as the number one selling brand of chainsaws worldwide. STIHL Inc. manufactures over 260 model variations of handheld outdoor power equipment for sale in the U.S. and around the world.

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