Dealer conference scheduled, members on the move, association program, products and services
November 19-21, 2019 – Save the Dates
WEDA’s 2019 International Dealer Conference will unite all corners of the industry to deliver a pro-active, forward-thinking agenda to help ensure the potential for growth is not missed – that the issues and challenges faced by the industry can be overcome. With a new look. New format. Twice the educational content. Educate, connect, and advance your business, your employees and yourself.
Westin Kierland Resort, Scottsdale, Arizona
What will drive used equipment remarketing and what new markets, tactics and technologies can be used today to future-proof your dealership?
Two days of need-to-know industry strategies filled with workshops, panel discussions, and keynote presentations by cutting-edge industry leaders. This is an event you don’t want to miss.
We hope you’ll join us this fall at the Westin Kierland Resort. For information, visit https://wedaconference.com.
WEDA publications go digital
The association’s two magazines, Canadian Equipment Dealer and Western Equipment Dealer, are now available in digital format on WEDA’s website. See the spring issues under the News tab at https://www.westerneda.com.
More on digital
Dealers in Canada and the U.S. are encouraged to check out one of the association’s newest programs, WEDA Digital. The program is designed to help dealers understand the performance of their websites and make improvements and cultivate new marketing strategies.
“Digital presence means you occupy space online and 10 years ago it meant you had a website – today it’s much more,” says Mike Giamprini, general manager, WEDA Digital. “It’s about how businesses appear online. This includes having accurate and consistent local listings, managing online reviews, being active on social media, and creating consistent content.”
For information, visit https://wedadigital.com or call 833-390-9332.
KanEquip acquires Straub International
Pictured from left to right are KanEquip’s Grant Meinhardt, Craig Goff and Larry Staub, former owner of Straub International.
KanEquip, based in Wamego, Kansas, added five more locations with the acquisition of Straub International, a Case IH dealership. “Straub International has been a reputable supplier in central Kansas for several years,” said Craig Goff, general manager, KanEquip. “We are extremely happy to have the Straub employees join our team and to continue and enhance the customer experience they have driven. Expanding the KanEquip Case IH footprint into central Kansas will be beneficial for all stakeholders – KanEquip, Case IH, Straub’s employees, and our new customers.”
The acquisition brings to 14 the number of KanEquip locations in Kansas and Nebraska. See more about KanEquip in this month’s edition of Taking Care of Business.
Oklahoma dealership expands
Pictured in the front row from left to right are Jeff Weller, EVP/COO; Ron Allen, territory manager (cutting ribbon); Del Keffer, vice president – sales; Bruce Taylor, branch manager; and Bill Gustafson, senior Oklahoma sales. In the back row from left to right are Brian Devore, product support sales rep; George Cross, service manager; and Brian Burris, rentals manager.
Kirby-Smith Machinery, Inc. recently celebrated the grand opening of its new facility in McAlester, Oklahoma. It’s the 11th location in its network of sales and service branches in a four-state region, which includes Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Illinois.
The grand opening also featured a technician career fair and representatives from the Komatsu Advance Career Training Program at Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology were in attendance to encourage community growth and local recruitment.
CED Foundation Scholarship Program
WEDA places a priority on education for employees of association members. The Canadian Equipment Dealers Foundation has been especially successful in providing scholarship programs that assist members in funds for training and to create scholarships at post-secondary educational institutions.
Since its inception, the Canada Equipment Dealers Foundation has raised more than $2 million through fundraising events with over $900,000 in matching scholarship funds
provided to dealership employees and more than
$700,000 spent on other programs. In 2018 alone, the CEDF provided scholarships to 98 member employees totaling over $62,000.
The CEDF and the Western Equipment Dealers Foundation accept annual donations in all denominations. These donations will be used as matching funds for scholarships and other programs. By raising funds, WEDA can help members get one step closer to filling dealership vacancies.
If you have any questions, please contact Larry Hertz regarding the CEDF at 800-661-2452 or Olivia Holcombe regarding the WEDF at 800-762-5616.
UniFirst for uniforms
One of the association’s newest partners is UniFirst, a current provider of uniforms and supplies to WEDA members in Canada and the U.S. According to WEDA CEO John Schmeiser, discounts to association members can reveal considerable savings.
“UniFirst bases national pricing on the total volume across all WEDA member locations so every location will have access to deeply discounted unit pricing,” says John Schmeiser, CEO, WEDA. “There’s no better time than right now to learn more about UniFirst’s capabilities and what they can do for your dealership. We encourage WEDA members to set up a meeting with their local UniFirst representatives to find out how this program can benefit their dealerships.”
To learn more about the UniFirst-WEDA program and to get a free analysis for your dealership, call Alex Toledo at 800-934-8641 X 2115 or write to atoledo@unifirst.com.
Additional information about UniFirst is available at https://unifirst.com.
Michael Kremer joins AgriSync
Michael Kremer, AgriSync
Michael Kremer is the new head of marketing at AgriSync, a leading software provider for professional ag advisors, including equipment dealers in Canada and the United States. In his role, Kremer will oversee all marketing efforts including brand management, media relations and strategy.
Kremer was most recently the founding principal of Eighty35 Marketing, a strategic marketing firm, which helped clients grow their business through strategy development, branding, training, and coaching. He also served as a field marketing manager at Caterpillar Inc., providing support to his Midwestern dealers.
AgriSync is a technology partner of WEDA.
