Right to Repair Makes National News

The National Tractor Parts Dealer Association support the concept of "Right to Repair". Recently, during a campaign stop in Iowa a presidential candidate spoke about "Right to Repair". Here is that story

Last week Insight on Business the News Hour was covering 2020 presidential candidate Admiral Joe Sestak (right in the photo) at a farm just outside of Des Moines, Iowa. Sestak was there to outline his agricultural policy. One of the highlights of his presentation was the "Right to Repair" issue. Following the talk the Business News Hour reported the following story: (To listen to this clip, click on the player.)

Right to Repair Clip NTPDA Sestak 2019

It is impressive that "Right to Repair" is on the radar screen of at least one of the 2020 presidential contenders. NTPDA is not endorsing any candidate for public office. We are simply sharing what was heard recently in Iowa and then shared across the county.

Social Media and Business

Over the years, according to our count, we've done maybe six or seven seminars about business and social media. We've had our NTPDA members speak to the issue and brought in some social media experts. It was all meant help our members better engage with their customers and, in the end, sell more product.

Last week we thought it might be interesting to do a social media assessment of our regular members. You know, see what social media channels they are on, what they are doing with social media and get an idea of the utilization. It was very informative. We looked at blogging, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

The results were mixed.

We didn't find many of our regular members who blogged. There were some that use YouTube and fewer who used Twitter or Instagram. It seems the social media platform of choice is Facebook with over 60% of our members engaged there.

We next looked at how often our members posted and what they posted about. We found, not surprisingly, that most were featuring products for sale and some special sales they were having. Very few members who posted on Facebook posted much else. The YouTube users, and there were a couple, did a mixture of "behind the scenes" and "how to" videos and many of those were done well.

We did find lots of Twitter accounts that were started a couple of years ago but then abandoned after only a few dozen tweets. Some members link their Facebook posts to Twitter so when they post on Facebook those posts automatically go right to their Twitter feed.

It was enough data to get us to thinking that maybe it's time to do a refresher, here on our Blog, about best social media practices. What each platform is good at and what they should be used for. You see, each really has a different audience.  

So, that's what we're going to do.  Over the next several weeks we'll post some helpful thoughts about each platform and offer up some best practices. We're hoping it will help and we promise not to go too deep into the weeds.

In the meantime if you've got thoughts about the use of social media for business let us know with a comment here. Just go to the comment section and post your thoughts about social media. We'll not make those public because, well not everybody wants to air their laundry. Right?

Thank you for being a member of NTPDA. We hope you'll find this information valuable. 

Member News from Down Under - Parts Express in Australia

The phone conversation with Mike Winter, president of long-time NTPDA Member Worthington Tractor Parts, Inc. started here when asked about the launch of their wholesale company, Parts Express scheduled for later this year in Australia: “Any business that doesn’t constantly find ways to improve its level of service to the market is bad news for the longevity of that business.” He went on to say, “Our goal is to build a global brand that will bring high quality parts at affordable prices with great speed and accuracy to the dealerships and repair shops that need them.”

Parts Express has a history of success as a wholesale supplier of agricultural parts in the United States and this launch of strategically placed warehouses throughout Australia will meet the increased demand on the continent. Winter added, “To this point products have been available through Neil’s Parts which we acquired in 1996. Now, with additional resources going to the wholesale market we believe we’ll become a world leader for the agricultural market.”

Bruce Jacobsma, Director of Parts Express added, “Our goal is to make Parts Express a globally recognized name in the agricultural spare parts market. This operation takes us one step closer to achieving that goal.”

Parts Express currently has four distribution centers in the United States and a bonded warehouse in Germany. Dealerships and repair shops are able to buy direct from Parts Express by using the B2B online website or by phone.

The addition of Parts Express into Australia is all about service, speed and affordability according to Jason Atkins, General Manager/Director of Neil’s Parts, “When we’re able to deliver quality products that are affordable and do so quickly and accurately our customers and their customers win. This move will deliver that outcome. “

Congratulations to the entire team from NTPDA!

If you’ve got news from your member business, make sure to connect with us at NTPDA@NTPDA.com!

About Parts Express - Parts Express is a leading wholesale supplier of agricultural parts in the United States. It carries a wide range of new aftermarket parts for tractors, combines (headers), grain heads (fronts), cotton pickers, and skid steers. Parts Express stocks parts for most brands of equipment including John Deere, Case IH, Ford, New Holland, Massey Ferguson, AGCO and more. To accommodate the local market, they will be distributing wholesale: CAMSO track systems, Gulf Western Oils, Redekop Mav systems, cane harvester parts and Chamberlain parts in Australia.

Parts Express USA can be reached at 800-247-1237 or online at www.Parts-Exp.com 

Member News - Rock Valley Tractor Parts Expands

We love telling stories about our members and their businesses. Today we've got an update on the expansion going on at Rock Valley Tractor Parts from our
NTPDA President, Scott Schelling. It's a story with an interesting twist. (You can click on the images to enlarge.)

Last year Rock Valley Tractor Parts acquired a company called Iowa Cutter Supply. It's a forage cutter company that, ironically, Scott helped get off the ground back in 2010. The company is in the niche business of supplying parts for forage harvesting. These are the machines that are most often associated with dairy feed. While most of us are accustomed to grain farming we had
to ask Scott about the dairy business. "You would be surprised at the number of dairy cows there are here in Northwest Iowa", said Scott. "It's sort of a secret because of all the attention given to corn and soybeans. In fact, just down the road about 34 miles is Wells Blue Bunny an ice creme giant in the United States." 

Scott tells us that he's selling forage cutter parts not only in the North America but also in Puerto Rico, Central America  and Australia. 

To incorporate the acquisition into Rock Valley Tractor Parts headquarters has required a major expansion of the company footprint.

"We're sort of land-locked here so our expansion plans centered on buying three homes near our offices. We then tore down two of them but the third we couldn't destroy. You see, it was the first house my wife Vicki and I lived in after we were married."  Rather than demolish their first home Scott had the house picked up and moved about ten miles away. "It wasn't that we were just sentimental; it was a good house and will make a fine home for the buyers."

In its place will be a new 21,000 sq. ft. building that will house Iowa Cutter Supply plus a brand new tractor parts teardown room. "The room we use now was built back in 1968 and tractors have changed just a bit since then. We need the room!"

Congratulations to Rock Valley Tractor Parts and we loved the story about the house!

If you've got a story about your business we'd love to showcase it. Drop us a line at NTPDA@NTPDA.com and let's talk.

 

 

Member News - All States Ag Parts in California

We've got some exciting news about one of our long time members All States Ag Parts and their expansion into California. That's just half of the story. Jeff Griggs (photo) from ASAP told us the company has just purchased the John F. Mahaney Company a manufacturer of fine quality agricultural, ranch and industrial hardware supplies. The family owned company was started back in 1951.

In addition to being the first All States Ag Parts California location, the acquisition strengthens All States emerging wholesale division and provides the company with manufacturing capability for popular brands including Red Rooster Tools, a line of professional grade agricultural hand tools. 

“This is a great acquisition for us,” said John Dyke, CEO of All States Ag Parts. “We’re happy to be in the heart of California’s agricultural area and look forward serving the farms, vineyards and orchards here,” said Dyke.

What this also means, according to Griggs, is that All States Ag Parts can now market these professional hand tools eastward and into the growing areas of the Midwest and Northeast.

Dyke said Steve Mahaney, previously a co-owner, will stay on board to manage the Sacramento operation. All current employees will be offered employment with All States Ag Parts.

With this expansion ASAP will now have ten locations across the country.

Congratulations to the Mahaney Family and to all our friends with All States Ag Parts. We look forward to meeting Steve and his crew at upcoming events.

 

 

Spring Decision Making On The Farm

In many parts of the nation farmers are already getting equipment ready for field work. As we check in with our members from around the world we're often caught by how so many farmers are facing the some of the roughest times since the early 1980's. With low commodity prices, for the fifth year in a row, and trade issues times in Rural America are tough.

Just last week we saw a story from Reuters that growing numbers of grain farmers are choosing to shed their machinery and find renters for their land. As these older grain farmers are retiring, fewer younger people are lining up to replace them.

While auction houses are winning...it’s putting a major strain on the farming community and the entire agricultural supply chain.

Think of it...fewer farmers means fewer customers for seed and chemical companies, fewer machine buyers, and fewer suppliers for grain merchants. 

We've heard from several members that business is still good as many farmers seek ways to cut down on repair costs by doing more of the work themselves. We've also heard that some members are actively trying to find ways to be even more assistive to their customers.

We're all in this together and times will get better. Our goal, as an association, is to continue to support our members and the many, many farmers that feed the world. Stay strong.

 

 

A Very Special Thank You!

The National Tractor Parts Dealer Association

Board of Directors - Members & Staff

Thank You!

A "Tip of the Hat" to all our sponsors that pitched in to help us with our Annual Meeting and Trade Show held in Mobile, Alabama!  We could not have done it without you. The image that  you see below was placed at all our meeting functions to make sure the attendees knew about your support of your association.

Cocktails - Early Arrival Party - Bluegill Restaurant

Allied Information Networks

Farmland Tractor Supply, Ltd.

Early Arrival Party - Entertainment

Steiner Tractor Parts, Inc.

Continental Breakfast - Friday

Fawcett Tractor Supply, Ltd.

Memo Corporation

Morning Break - Friday

Plastics Unlimited

Friday Lunch

Tractor House/AuctionTime.com

Schaefer Enterprises

Saturday Breakfast

All States Ag Parts, Inc.

Cocktail Reception - Saturday

Cook Tractor Parts, Inc.

Memo Corporation

Schaefer Enterprises

Dinner - Saturday

Abilene Machine, LLC

Allied Information Networks

Reliance Corporation

Entertainment

Steiner Tractor Parts, Inc.

 

What YOU Can Expect in Mobile!

Recently one of our speakers at our upcoming NTPDA Annual Conference and Trade Show appeared on the Insight on Business broadcast
talking about her presentation in Mobile. Karen McCullough was with us several years ago and we're grateful she is coming back to share some valuable lessons with our members. Click in and listen as she talks about branding, employees and customers. She'll also share with you exactly what you can expect in her two-part session called "Going Beyond the Brand". Join us in Mobile and take away some valuable lessons!

If you have not yet registered for our Mobile, Alabama Adventure here is a link to the registration page. Take some time and commit to working ON your business rather that working in it...you will see a difference. Join us in Mobile! 

 

NTPDA President Featured on The Business News Hour

While we were at our Summer Board Meeting in Minneapolis our NTPDA president, Scott Schelling was featured on Insight on Business the News Hour where he talked about the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association, the business of buying and selling tractor/agricultural parts, technology and the efforts the NTPDA goes to as we boost the value of membership. You can listen in by clicking on the player that was provided to us by the Business News Hour:

We had a great meeting and our plans for the Annual Meeting and Trade Show are being worked on every day. We look forward to seeing you in Alabama early next year. Watch this space, our Facebook Page and Twitter for more details.

Thank you for coming by! 

 

Natural Disasters, Oil Spills and Community Effort

Over the past month a number of our NTPDA members have had to deal with weather related disasters. In Iowa there has been a rash of flooding and then in Rock Valley there was a major oil spill.  Rock Valley is the home base of our President Scott Schelling. We sent an email to Scott to check up on him. We thought his answer mirrored so many of our members and their communities that we're sharing it with you:

"Sorry for the delay in responding.  I have been out for over a week for various reasons including sandbagging and flood relief.  We are getting back to normal, the river is back in its banks but we still seem to get rain every couple days so it doesn’t go down much.  We set an all time record back in 2014 when the river got to 22.7 feet over floodstage.  This year we topped out at 21.5.  We were more prepared this time and we knew where and what to do so things went a little smoother, but ultimately we still got our butts kicked by the river.  We were able to avoid the major property damage with the work we did and most people just had to empty their basements and pump water.(they still are pumping water)  We took some steps after 2014 to prevent that same event in the future, we built a permanent berm on the north end of town to keep the river out and bought a couple huge pumps to pump out our storm sewers.  When the river is in flood stage it is higher than our storm sewers and cant run away so we have to pump it out.  And that takes a HUGE pump to keep up when you keep getting rain and everyone is pumping water out of their basements.  We also made some changes to make the river flow away better so it don’t dam up as high.  All the steps we took helped, but we still can do more.  I’m sure we will have more ideas to help for future events. 

 

The oil spill was just 6-7 miles upriver from us and I understand it was the worst oil spill in the US in the last 5 years.  The last number I heard was 230K gallons spilled, and as of last Thurs, only about 100k of that was recovered.  We could see oil in the river and of course it puddled up along the banks in the quiet water.  You could smell oil all thru town on Thursday and Friday.  We had to shut down the city wells to try to keep oil from getting into them.  The DNR has been out and testing dirt in places as the river recedes to see how bad the contamination was.  They have cleared the soccer fields and ball fields to be played on, they say the contamination was minimal in those areas.  The cleanup crew that BNSF brought in was excellent, they went right to work with cleanup and repair and last Thurs the trains were running again down those tracks.  We will see how long before they are finished with oil cleanup, but they don’t stand around, those people are here to work. 

 

The silver lining of it all is the way the communities come together to fight back against the water and how they come out to help others that are in need.  We again had several thousand volunteers from the surrounding towns come to us and help, and they still are coming to help people they don’t even know with cleanup.  This is the reason I love to live here, we don’t just throw up our hands and cry about it and quit, we show up any time of day, and help out people we might not know, and we stand shoulder to shoulder in chest deep water throwing sandbags all night, and we pick each other up when things seem like they are hopeless.  It is a beautiful thing to witness, and it keeps you going even after no sleep, or when your muscles don’t want to go anymore.  I love my town!!"

Scott Schelling - Rock Valley Tractor Parts