Got News?

Every weekday we, at NTPDA, reach out to our current, former and potential members just to check in, thank them for their membership, encourage membership and better explain the benefits of membership. But, long before we get into all of that we explain the reason for our call, "Hi, and thanks for taking our call. We reach out to our members, potential members and past members just to check on you and your business. Tell me, how are things with you and your family?"

We can tell you that the overwhelming response has been very positive. Somebody actually cares and is willing to take the time to reach out. And nearly every call we've been making we're hearing reports that business in the agriculture world is solid. It could be a combination of farmers/ranchers having the time to focus on repair or it could be lower prices are forcing many do DIY or it could be that they are seeing value in their relationship with their parts supplier.

In other words...business is good.

We share that with you for a reason. On each call we learn more about our members and their unique place in their community and how they reach out to customers old and new.

Just like with everything else, if you stay in touch with your customers and keep your business "top of mind" they will more likely continue to do business with you. But, just like we're doing with our membership it all takes time. But, the rewards can be very positive.

One other thing.  Have you got news for us?  

From time to time our membership forgets to let us know about what's going on so that we can share that through our robust social media efforts, here in our
business blog or with other news outlets.

Just a reminder...if you've got news about your business or a story you want to share...like the onion story we heard last week from our member Steven Sparks at Nyssa Tractor & Implement. Check that HUGE yard!  Did you know that the biggest user of onions isn't the consumer but schools and restaurants?  And because so many restaurants and schools have shut down many farmers are having to "dump" their onion crop because it's way too expensive to try to hold them. And...Outback Steakhouse uses those "jumbo onions" for their famous "Bloomin' Onion" and many of them come from onion patches near Nyssa. (Photo - Chicago Tribune)

Who...knew?

So, if you've got a story send it along, we'd love to share.  You can send it to Michael@NTPDA.com

Stay safe and well!

The 2020 NTPDA Scholarship Winners

The National Tractor Parts Dealer Association (NTPDA) Scholarship Committee has released the names of the 2020 NTPDA Scholarship Winners. The committee, made up of NTPDA members, met several times to rank the blind applications. Congratulations to the following individuals and their sponsors:

Tate Blankespoor, son of Harvey and Cheryl Blankespoor, was recently awarded a $2,000.00 scholarship from the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association.  Tate is attending Iowa State University pursuing a degree in Biology. His sponsor is A & I Products in Rock Valley, IA.

Alicia Dennie, daughter of Cory and Teresa Dennie, recently was awarded a $2,000.00 scholarship from the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association.  Alicia is attending Purdue University pursuing a degree in Pre-Dentistry.  Her sponsor is Bates Corporation in Bourbon, IN.

Addie Dickerhoff, daughter of Doug and Kelly Dickerhoff, was recently awarded a $2,000.00 scholarship from the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association.  Addie is currently attending Purdue University pursuing a degree in Nursing. Her sponsor is TTP – Diesel Power and Machine in Pierceton, IN.

Madison Koresh, daughter of Jeffrey Koresh and Stacy Roach, was recently awarded a $2,000.00 scholarship from the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association.  Madison is currently attending Western Michigan University pursuing a degree in Psychology – Behavior Science.  Her sponsor is Steiner Tractor Parts in Lennon, MI.

Sophia Luu, daughter of Binh and Melanie Luu, was recently awarded a $2,000.00 scholarship from the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association.  Sophia is currently attending Iowa State University pursuing a degree in Apparel, Merchandising, and Design; Emphasis: Creative & Technical Design.  Her sponsor is Hy-Capacity in Humboldt, IA.

Ty Joseph Neldon, son of Jamie and Jessica Neldon, was recently awarded a $2,000.00 scholarship from the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association.  Ty is currently attending Southeast Missouri State University pursuing a degree in Business Administration. His sponsor is Worthington Ag Parts in Sikeston, MO.  

Emily Smith, daughter of Pete and Cindy Smith, was recently awarded a $2,000.00 scholarship from the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association.  Emily plans to attend California Polytechnic State University to pursue a degree in Agricultural Business.  Her sponsor is F.P. Smith Parts & Equipment Company in Fairfield, CA.

Jadelynn Vopat, daughter of Ray and Sara Vopat, was recently awarded a $2,000.00 scholarship from the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association.  Jadelynn plans to attend Washburn University to pursue a degree in Biology.  Her sponsor is Abilene Machine, LLC in Abilene, KS.

Morgan Wood, daughter of Brian and Jenny Wood, was recently awarded a $2,000.00 scholarship from the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association.  Morgan plans to attend Lancaster Career and Technology Center to pursue a degree in Veterinarian Technician.  Her sponsor is Wengers of Myerstown in Myerstown, PA.

The National Tractor Parts Dealer Association (NTPDA) is a trade association serving the agricultural and industrial industries with members throughout the United States, Canada, U.K., and India.  The NTPDA awards scholarships yearly to members, members’ employees and their families based on academic achievement, extra-curricular and community activities, and leadership abilities.  Each of our scholarship recipients has demonstrated outstanding qualities in each of these areas, and the NTPDA is very pleased to have presented them with this scholarship. 

Online Sales and Sales Taxes with George Isaacson

While in Maricopa, Arizona for the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association (NTPDA) Annual Conference and Trade Show we were able to sit down with Professor George Isaacson, a Constitutional Law expert who has argued online sales tax in the Supreme Court and is also the Senior Partner for the law firm Brann & Isaacson, for a conversation about online sales and sales tax. This piece originally aired the week after our meeting and this new edit should be important for our membership to hear.  With over 12,000 tax bodies in the United States it's increasingly difficult to manage and collect taxes. However, there is a solution.  We open up by talking about the Constitution and trade.

This is the kind of information our members receive on a regular basis. Our goal is to offer real value to our members in every way we can. If you do not yet belong and your business revolves around agricultural parts here is an invitation to join us. Regular Membership is reserved for those companies who sell parts and do salvage. Associate Membership is for those companies who wish to sell to our Regular Members.  Here is the link to our Membership Page. 

A Member Marketing Tip

From every report we've gotten it seems like our National Tractor Parts Dealer Association members who are selling parts into the agricultural sector are having a really good year. Each day we reach out to both our Regular and Associate Members and, from what we hear, things are going well. That's the good news and we're grateful.

One of the things members might consider is to reach out to your "Brand Warriors" those top ten or fifteen people you KNOW who love your business and your service. Last week this segment aired on Insight on Business the News Hour and we thought it might be something valuable as you continue through this season and even during some slow times.  Your "Brand Warriors" can help you expand your business if you simply ask them to get involved.  Click on the audio file to listen.

IOB 3 May 2020 Mkt Tip

Remember, your membership is truly an investment and we're here to do everything we can to make that a reality.

Big News from Member All States Ag Parts

And the acquisitions keep coming as All States Ag Parts has acquired H&R Construction Parts allowing the company to enter the industrial and construction parts arena.

Long known as a leader in new aftermarket, used and remanufactured parts for ag equipment this move gives All States Ag Parts and their customers the ability to buy products from one source.

“This is a great acquisition for us,” said John Dyke, CEO of All States Ag Parts. “We’ve already successfully expanded our skid steer parts line at All States Ag Parts. H&R Construction Parts will be the cornerstone for our new construction equipment division,” said Dyke.

“Current H&R Construction customers, working through our sales team, will continue to have access to the same products and programs currently offered,” said Dyke, “but will have access to many additional products in the very near future with not only ag parts, but also a greatly expanded selection of construction equipment parts.”

In a related development All States Ag Parts, LLC announced that Nick Ecker, long associated with the heavy truck salvage business, will become the general manager for the recently acquired company and will lead the new construction division.

Ecker comes to All States with over 10 years of operations experience with LKQ heavy truck salvage parts. The past 5 years were spent as a District Manager where he was responsible for salvage purchasing, operations and remanufacturing facilities for 13 locations.

“I’m excited to be joining the All States Ag Parts team. All States has a strong presence and is well respected in the ag parts industry,” said Ecker. “H&R Construction Parts will become the cornerstone for our new construction equipment division for All States,” said Ecker.

Because there is significant crossover of inventory and equipment between the ag and industrial world this new combination is now positioned to provide better solutions for ag and construction customers.

Join us in congratulating All State Ag Parts on this new acquisition as we wish them the very best moving forward.

About H&R Construction Parts

H&R currently operates 4 facilities; Buffalo, NY; Lawrenceville, GA; and two in Riverside, CA and focuses on parts for excavators, wheel loaders, dozers and articulated trucks.

H&R Construction Parts can be reached at 800-333-0650 or on-line at HRParts.com

About All States Ag Parts

The company operates 12 ag parts locations located in the U.S. and Canada and focuses on parts for tractors, combines, skid steers, planters, harvesters and other ag equipment. All States stocks parts for virtually all brands of equipment including John Deere, Case IH, Ford, New Holland, Allis Chalmers, Massey Ferguson, Agco, Hesston and many more.

All States Ag Parts can be reached at 877-530-4430 or on-line at TractorPartsASAP.com

Business News from SparexUSA

In our ongoing effort to keep the members, and friends, of the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association (NTPDA) advised of business updates we’ve asked that you send us valuable news items. This week we spoke with Jim Hopp from member company SparexUSA who offered this information:

SparexUSA, headquartered in Aurora, OH, wants to let their valued customers know that currently we are operating at normal levels. The office and warehouses are open, and we are shipping and receiving product as usual. We are following the mandated rules of spacing and protection during the Covid19 pandemic.

One note, some transportation carriers are having a tough time meeting their published delivery deadlines.

The outside sales force and some office personnel are working from home, linked into the mainframe computer system, and working with customers.  “Will Call” at the warehouse sites remains open, however we have implemented extra cautions to minimize person to person contact when picking up fulfilled orders.

“Our goal is to provide our valued Customer Service, while providing for the safety of all.”

We can be contacted at:

Customer Service – 800-443-6472

Email – sales@sparexusa.com

“Thank You for your business – Please Stay Safe!”

Thanks, Jim

216-233-6982

jhopp@sparexusa.com

Business News from K&M Manufacturing

The National Tractor Parts Dealer Association (NTPDA) encourages our members to share information about their ongoing business development with us so we can share the news far and wide over our expansive social media presence and by email.

Today we heard from Mark Ziemann of K&M Manufacturing headquartered in Renville, Minnesota.  Mark tells us that the company has implemented a “no travel” order for the outside sales force and those folks, along with the inside sales people and office personal, are all working from home and in contact with their customers.

K&M has set their phones to automatically roll over direct extensions to cell or home phones so there is no lag in making contact with the company.

As for the manufacturing and shipping departments they are fully operational and following government guidelines.  All orders that are received are being entered and fulfilled as usual.

Yet there have been some changes: All personal plant and office visits to the company facilities have been suspended ad all “will call” customer pickups have also been suspended until further notice.

Mark tells us that K&M is working with their vendors to insure that the supply chain remains viable and intact.

And, in case you were wondering, K&M Manufacturing has been declared an essential business.

Mark added, “Our goal is to provide for the safety and wellbeing of our employees, customers and the community at large.  We are doing our very best to provide the high quality customer service you have come to expect from K&M.  While you may experience some longer than usual wait times due to a high volume of calls, and the current situation please be patient and bear with us. You can always send orders and get support via email to: sales@tractorseats.com.”

Mark said that customers can contact him via his cell phone or email if you have questions or concerns and added, “Please let me know if I can help, even if it is an out the ordinary request.  Please stay safe and we wish you the best during this situation. I am very proud of everyone in the industry dedicated to keeping our farmers and construction workers viable during these times!”

Mark Ziemann Cell Phone: 612-570-2653

Mark’s email: mark@tractorseats.com

Loader Parts Source - Meet Our Members with Levi Burkholder

The goal at the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association is to bring value to our members and here you'll get to meet Levi Burkholder the founder and owner of Loader Parts Source based in Wisconsin but doing business everywhere. Here you'll learn more about who Levi is, what he does and what he thinks about the NTPDA. We sat down with Levi during our Annual Conference & Trade Show in Maricopa, Arizona. It was the first time Levi had displayed with us. Click the player and enjoy....it's time to "Meet Our Members" with Loader Parts Source: 

Loader Parts Source Levi

The National Tractor Parts Dealer Association (NTPDA) is made up of some of the finest companies on the planet. Our organization has been around for nearly four decades helping our Regular and Associate members build relationships and their business. You can learn more about us at NTPDA.com. Thanks for coming by! 

The Grand Re-Boot - Shipping Issues with Steven Haas

Another in our series of Guest Blogs from our NTPDA Members. This has to do with shipping changes and critical information for our membership and our friends from Steven Haas of DLS Worldwide. Also if you would like to hear the audio of the news story that aired this week just click  the audio link below: 

IOB 29 March 2020 Steve Haas Transportation

As of this writing, over twenty states have made "shelter in place" warnings...

The good news is that auto, truck and tractor parts (new, used and remanufactured) have been deemed essential commodities so freight will keep flowing as usual.

These items have been deemed critical commodities because we can assist aid and assist in the uninterrupted supply of the essential replacement parts that keep ambulances, fire trucks and law enforcement vehicles moving not to mention the fact that the parts we supply are also needed to keep trucks and ag equipment running to maintain crucial supply chains that provide food, home deliveries and medical supplies.

The bad news is that more states will inevitably follow, and we expect the remainder of states to put similar orders in place within the first few weeks of April.

During the last several days, I have reached out to a number of Associations within these industry segments in an attempt to get a "pulse" of the situation and assess their respective supply chains. Pretty much all are reporting "business as usual" and that most of their members are still getting things done but sometimes in unusual ways.

One way to look at things is that this is a "Grand Reboot" for both people and businesses and that we have both an opportunity and a responsibility to re-invent ourselves and our business models.

And - we've been here before...when the internet went mainstream in 1995 it forced a somewhat painful and costly re-invention of both business and society, and we all ended up much better off with some incredibly useful technologies in place. Not far after, social media came into play, online commerce began to go gangbusters and now we have the underpinnings in place to both thrive and survive in a challenging new world.

The following are a few simple recommendations that will help you keep your supply chain intact and eliminate complexities and costs:

Deploy a Multi-carrier Platform

For starters, if you’re not already using a multi-carrier rate shop platform you need to get one in place. The DLS platform (available through DLS and/or your association) provides thousands of quality carrier options for all major modes including truckload, partial truckload and less-than truckload (LTL) service. If a carrier suspends service on a national, regional or micro-regional level our customers have more than enough options already in place.

Keep Advised of Carrier Updates

You should also do your best to tune into carrier updates on a daily basis if possible.

The team at DLS Worldwide is doing our best to keep your association professionals advised of carrier embargos, restrictions and/or closures on a daily basis and are encouraging them to pass that information immediately on to you.

Call Ahead to Confirm Pick-ups and Deliveries

Communication is key!

We will do our best to keep you advised of the various carrier changes, restrictions and closures by state. If you need to schedule a pickup or delivery in one of those states we suggest you contact your pickup or delivery location to confirm they are operating and if they have any special needs or protocols for the carriers.

As of now, only a small percentage of our customers within the recycling and remanufacturing sectors have been closed (temporarily) but this one proactive measure can save you a considerable amount of time, money and aggravation.

Stay In Touch With Your Suppliers and Customers

Use those proactive calls to check in with your suppliers and customers to ASK them about their personal health and the health of their businesses. We are all in this TOGETHER so if you take the time to ask those concerned questions and perhaps share some innovative best practices it will help you strengthen and deepen relationships and build goodwill for the future.

Determine What you Can Control and Cannot Control

And finally - remind yourself that there are things that you can control and things that you cannot control. No one was able to predict the gravity of this pandemic but you can do your part to lessen its impact by following governmental recommendations and through the rapid re-invention of your business.

Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or would like some suggestions about the rapid reinvention of your own supply chain or business. You can reach me at 612-296-1806 or online at steven.haas@rrd.com and I would be more than happy to share my thoughts and ideas.

You can choose to view this as a tragedy or an opportunity – I for one, choose the latter.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Steven P. Haas handles Association Partnerships for DLS Worldwide a 3rd party logistics company based in Chicago Illinois. If you would like to streamline your supply chain and fortify your carrier options he can set you up with a multi-carrier rate shop platform through your association partnership or in free-standing form. If you would like him to perform a courtesy rate review and/or supply chain evaluation you may reach him at the contact information above.

Open For Business

During the past week we at the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association (NTPDA) have been reaching out to our members and visiting about their business and their families. We've talked to dozens of people and we're hearing that, compared to last year, business has been really good. "Farmers have been in the mood to fix and repair what they have and because planting season is coming up they are busy and they are buying", was one comment we heard often.

Meanwhile the biggest concern shared with us was that if business starts to falter what that might do to their employees. "I've never laid off a person since we started this business," said one of our members. "My goal is to stick with it. We had a tough time several years ago and we kept everybody working. I hope to do that now and into the future."

Commodity prices are also playing a part in how farmers are dealing with fixing and repairing their equipment. One of our members told us, "You know, if the commodities were higher maybe we wouldn't be so busy. Farmers have had a rough couple of years so buying new doesn't seem to be on the mind of many."

One of the very cool things about this association is that we all know each other, do business with each other and, generally, like each other. That always comes out in these conversations when we talk about family. It's important to them and it's also important to us so we talk about kids, grandkids, husbands wives and parents.

One final thought. Human connection is important. We've noticed that phone calls that may have been over in three or four minutes now linger as people want to stay connected and talk. It's been a pleasure to spend fifteen or twenty minutes talking business, family and friends. It's what we...do.

If we have not yet connected with you be assured you're on our list and remember on March 24 we'll celebrate National Agriculture Day.

Thanks for reading and stay safe and well.