KANSAS CITY, Mo. and SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — September 24, 2026 — The North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA) and Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) today announced plans to merge, effective January 2027, creating a stronger, unified organization that will operate as Associated Equipment Dealers (AED) and serve equipment dealers and distributors across the United States and Canada.
The merger brings together the strengths, expertise, and resources of both associations with a shared goal: to provide greater value to members and a stronger voice for equipment dealers.
“This merger is about putting dealers first and positioning our industry for the future,” said Steve Hunt, Chairman of the NAEDA Board of Directors and President of H&R Agri-Power, Inc. “NAEDA and AED each bring strengths to the table. Together, we can preserve what our members value most while expanding what we can accomplish on their behalf. This is about becoming stronger, more effective and more valuable to the dealers we serve.”
Marshall Anderson, Chairman of the AED Board of Directors and Executive Vice President of RDO Equipment Co., said the merger strengthens the voice of the equipment industry.
“This merger represents an important step toward creating a stronger, more unified voice for the equipment industry,” said Anderson. “By bringing AED and NAEDA together, we can align our efforts, strengthen our advocacy and better serve equipment dealers across North America.”
One Stronger Voice for Dealers
Advocacy and Industry Affairs will be central to the combined organization. Together, NAEDA and AED will have greater reach to represent dealers with policymakers, manufacturers, and other industry stakeholders throughout North America.
The combined organization, Associated Equipment Dealers will also build on the education, workforce development, dealer-manufacturer relations, research, events and member services currently provided by both associations.
“Our responsibility is to look beyond where our associations are today and consider what our members will need five, 10 and 20 years from now,” Anderson said. “This merger gives us the opportunity to build that future together.”
Hunt added, “We are taking the best of NAEDA and the best of AED and creating a stronger future for equipment dealers across North America.”
Leadership and staff from both organizations will work together ahead of the January 2027 effective date to ensure a smooth transition and continuity of member programs and services.
For FAQs about the merger, please visit our FAQs on Naeda.com.
About the North American Equipment Dealers Association
The North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA) represents equipment dealers across North America in the agriculture, industrial, and outdoor power sectors. NAEDA advocates fair policies, strong dealer-manufacturer relationships, and dealer rights while providing education, business resources, and industry expertise designed to help equipment dealers grow, compete, and succeed.
About Associated Equipment Distributors
Established in 1919, Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) is a not-for-profit international trade association headquartered in Schaumburg, Ill., representing more than 7,800 dealer locations across North America and 1,000 companies worldwide involved in the sale, rental and support of equipment used in construction, agriculture, mining, forestry, power generation and industrial applications. AED enhances the ongoing success and profitability of its member companies through services and information including public policy advocacy, industry education & career development, industry research and analysis, and conferences.
Media Contacts
North American Equipment Dealers Association
Lisa Ramirez
Chief Experience Officer
lramirez@naeda.com
202-716-8170
Associated Equipment Distributors
Jorge Rodas
Public Relations Manager
jrodas@aednet.org
630-951-0577
