Renewing NTPDA Members - YES!

What do you do when you have so many NTPDA members renewing that it would take DAYS to list them all on Facebook and Twitter? How about calling each one out in a blog post? Yeah...

A big thank you to Anderson Tractor Supply out of Bluffton, Ohio with acres of agricultural machinery, seems like the perfect place to find a part or some used equipment. Go ahead and check them out.

Then there is Central Fuel Injection Service based in Estherville, Iowa. They have a host of diesel parts and service abilities to keep your equipment running. Give them a shout for fast and dependable diesel fuel injection services. 

Thank you Heartland Clutch out of Machesney Park, IL for renewing your NTPDA Membership. These are the folks who know about high quality and prove it everyday. Besides they have a pretty neat website. 

How about MaxiForce from Doral, FL? They have been at it since 1994 and specialize in diesel engine parts for John Deere, Perkins, Caterpillar, Yanmar, Cummins, Kubota, Mitsubishi, Shibaura, Komatsu, International Harvester/Navistar, and Thermo King. 

Next up is Sturgeon's Corner from Meno, OK. They have been in  business since 1962 keeping farmers and ranchers in parts and equipment. Now heading the company is the founders son Lon. Check out his amazing inventory.  

A big THANK YOU to Diesel Specialties of Sioux City, Iowa! Our friends have been members for a very long time...and in business for over 40 years. Once again an impressive website.  

Finally there is Westlock Tractor Parts of Westlock, Alberta, Canada. You want to see a massive parts "bone-yard" check out the home page image on their website.  WOW!

So yes, we really appreciate you and proud to call you not only members but also friends! Hope to see you in Nashville for our Annual Conference and Trade show which is very, very different this year! 

 

Meet Our Members - All States Ag Parts with John Dyke

Don't let the name fool you because things are changing rapidly. Here is a story about the growth of an industry. Our guest is a long time member of the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association, John Dyke who is the CEO of All States Ag Parts a company with deep roots in the U.S. and Canada. Learn about the humble beginnings of what was a family start-up and has now grown into an international giant. You'll also learn about John's commitment to his employees and where the company is headed next...think infrastructure.  Here is that conversation:

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Shhhhh...It's Jeff Fawcett's Birthday!

When you're a member of the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association it's sorta like being in a big family. We're always reaching out to our NTPDA Members for news and information that we can share with the rest of our group.  Sure, we love doing business, but we also love staying connected. And, that...brings us to this:

Jeff Fawcett, the former owner of Fawcett Tractor Supply, is having a birthday in September. We were in contact with his daughter Liz who would LOVE to surprise him with cards or even a video hello.  If you would like to send a card to Liz here is that address:

Liz Fawcett

2132 Rd 120, RR2

St. Marys, ON

Canada

N4X 1C5

 

Now, if you want to link up and send a video...click on this link to make it happen!

 

One more thing...we created this quick video to wish him a Happy 60th Birthday and wanted to share it with you as well.

 

It really is like being in a big family. A reminder, if you've got personal or professional news and want to share let us know?  You can send it to directly to [email protected]

 

Thank you and thank you for being a Member!

 

 

The New Year Brings a Freight Acquisition

We recently heard from our National Tractor Parts Dealer Association representative Steven Haas about a new acquisition that he indicates will be a major benefit for our NTPDA Members.

TForce Worldwide, a major freight company has acquired not only DLS Worldwide a business unit of R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company which was established in 2006 but also the freight side of UPS, it's less than truckload division. 

According to Steve the new partnerships could not come at a better time.  He tells us that the collective freight spend now exceeds six billion dollars annually and TForce Worldwide has even stronger carrier negotiations than before.

Here is the news directly from TForce Worldwide and what it means for us:

"We won't be immune to these continued carrier increases but we won't be affected like most others. As a matter of fact, our industry intelligence suggests that that carriers will be dialing back many of their re-seller programs and will be pulling their rates from smaller 3pls and many independent brokers.

Here’s what the new TForce partnership brings to our customers and trading partners.

•  Increased buying power with the SAME online platform and a larger carrier mix.
•  An enhanced network of LTL carriers with new capabilities to/from/within Canada & Mexico
•  Enhanced capabilities for full truckload services through an asset- based network with nearly 7000 power units, 8000 drivers and 12000 trailers.
•  A new range of specialty services with new access to flatbeds, tanker trucks, oversized and specialty equipment.
•  An improved mix of International capabilities including air freight, ocean freight and a host of intermodal services

There is hope on the horizon with forthcoming vaccines and 2021 will be a promising new year.

TForce Worldwide will flex with these changes and continue to look out for your best interests through stronger carrier negations, an improved range of services, and by looking for new and better ways to increase the value we bring to you.

We appreciate your business and our continued partnership, so please do your best to stay safe and have and prosperous New Year.

TForce Worldwide will remain a “force” within the auto, truck & tractor parts recycling industries and our rates will continue to prevail over the likes of: Priority 1, BlueGrace, GlobalTrans, SAV, Unishippers and Worldwide Express."

For more information and to connect with Steve Haas for an account or quotes you can call him directly at 612-296-1806 or [email protected] 

 

Member Stories - Herman Rempel

The National Tractor Parts Dealer Association has a long history of helping our members grow their business. We thought it might be a good idea to "look
back" and profile some of the people who were with us near the beginning. Here is a short story about Herman Rempel, a lifetime member, who along with his wife, Jeannie attended nearly 20 NTPDA Annual Meetings. We reached out to his daughter Rebecca Braun who helped us pen this story:

Herman was fascinated by all things mechanical as a young boy. In his small home town of Niverville, Manitoba, he had the first transistor radio and subscription to Popular Mechanics. Some of his early toys included a horse and saddle, a green CCM bicycle he bought for $59 in 1950 with his paper route earnings, a Hiawatha scooter, a 1946 Chev convertible (the first built after WWII), a new fiberglass red and white Vanguard boat, a 1957 Vauxhall (which had the same Zenith-built carburetor as British Ferguson tractors), and a 1967 Lincoln Continental. Mostly every vehicle he owned he rebuilt, modified, and repainted red.

His first of eight airplanes was a Piper PA11 that he rebuilt from a wind-damaged wreck. It took one year and was finished two weeks before his wedding. He also owned three Cessna 172s, an Alon Aircoupe, a PA12 Piper (750 hours), a Beechcraft Sport, and finally a Cutlass RG Cessna 172 with 180 hp and retractable gear. Herman’s policy was always to be paid by and pay by certified cheque. This lesson was learned as he has numerous stories of how planes and automobiles were damaged on their ways home.

He worked for 11 years with his father, John K. Rempel, at an International Harvester dealership owned by Mr. George Kehler. To feed his growing family, he started rebuilding Ford 8N and 9N tractors in his car garage. He was known for his beautifully painted tractors and implements. Eventually, his hobby-turned-business grew and required him to buy two acres outside of his home tow. The yard had an abattoir which became his first building for repairs and storage. His business kept growing which required to hire more people, buy more land, build more buildings, erect more shelving, hire more people…you get it. He eventually farmed 80 acres with 3,500 tractors – that’s a Herman joke!

Herman was a walking encyclopedia of tractor parts information. He recalled almost every part number by heart and explained how and why and with what
you could interchange it. He also had jobber parts manufactured with modifications made to make them perform better.

Worthington purchased Rempel Tractor Parts in May 1994. Herman very much appreciated the way they treated him and enjoyed the five additional years he stayed in the business, including two winters in Sikeston, Missouri. There was no ownership stress, management and customers valued his knowledge, and he grew his relationships and formed new ones.

Former customers called him for information so he thought it would be good if he had a few replacement parts on-hand. Herman had a giant auction sale of parts and tools in 2017, so you can imagine that those “few” parts expanded out of his garage and basement and into storage trailers.

He is a man of integrity, a wonderful storyteller, and is generous and empathetic. He was bighearted with his time and resources at their churches and in their communities.

He married the love of his life, Jeannie Buhr, in October 1964 and together they had four beautiful children. Now their family has grown to 24 with everyone included! They fully and happily retired when they moved from Winnipeg, Manitoba to Calgary, Alberta in December 2017 to be close to their daughters.

 

 

Combine World to All States Ag Parts

NTPDA Member and North American agricultural parts supplier All States Ag Parts (ASAP) has acquired Combine World a Canadian company that specializes in new and used parts for combines and swathers.  In announcing the acquisition John Dyke, CEO of ASAP said, “This is a great acquisition for us, Combine World complements our line of tractor parts being offered at Fawcett Tractor Supply (Ontario, Canada) and positions us to deliver tractor, combine and other ag parts to the farming community in Canada.” 

Dyke said the former owner, Charlie Smith, will remain in place as a valuable resource during the transition of ownership. All current employees of Combine World will be offered employment with All States Ag Parts. In the announcement Smith talked about how being part of ASAP will bring even more opportunity to the his customers, “Being part of All States Ag Parts is a great opportunity to improve our ability to take care of customers.” said Charlie Smith, “We’ll have access to our current combine parts inventory while growing our tractor parts selection. We’ll also have access to parts from 11 other salvage yards.”  (Image: Charlie and Marjorie Smith with YRC Representative Aleisia Dragon in Phoenix 2020)

The Elstow, SK location will continue to operate under the Combine World name. Combine World also operates a satellite location in Alexander, MB.

All States Ag Parts now operates 17 locations in North America where they are leading supplier of agricultural parts carrying used, new aftermarket and remanufactured parts for tractors, skid steers, combines and other ag equipment. Parts are stocked for virtually all brands of equipment including John Deere, Case IH, Ford, New Holland, Allis Chalmers, Massey Ferguson, Agco, Hesston and many more.

The Board and Staff of the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association congratulates our members and friends.

 

Member News - ASAP Acquires Fawcett Tractor Supply

In National Tractor Parts Dealer Association News, All States Ag Parts (ASAP) has acquired Fawcett Tractor Supply of St. Mary's, Ontario giving the company a new outlet in Canada. The acquisition will allow ASAP to market ag parts to Canadian farms, ranches and dairies and it is their 13th retail location.

Asked about the acquisition John Dyke, CEO of All States Ag Parts said, "This is a great acquisition for us. We currently have 10 salvage yards, but this will be our first location in Canada. Up until now we were not able to serve the Canadian farmers with the prices and product selection we would like by shipping from the U.S. The Fawcett operation will allow us to ship more quickly and at a much more economical rate to farmers throughout Canada.”

Dyke added that the Fawcett family will continue to manage the St. Mary’s Ontario operation and all current employees will be offered employment with All States Ag Parts.

“Being part of All States Ag Parts is a great opportunity to improve our ability to take care of customers.” said Jeff Fawcett, “We’ll have access to our current inventory, but also the inventory from 9 additional salvage yards along with hundreds of thousands of new aftermarket parts. There’s not a part that we shouldn’t be able to supply.”

When contacted by NTPDA Jeff Fawcett added that he is looking forward to the new opportunity and will be with us in Phoenix for NTPDA20 in January

The St. Mary’s, ON location will continue to operate under the Fawcett Tractor Supply name.

If you've got NTPDA Member News make sure to share it with us: [email protected]

 

Oh, The Memories - NTPDA18 with Elizabeth Fawcett

Just after our time together in Corpus Christi we reached out to those of who attended to give us some feedback on your time during the NTPDA Annual Meeting and Trade Show. Elizabeth Fawcett from Fawcett Tractor Supply offers these thoughts:

We had an amazing time visiting and building relationships. The weather was not ‘Texas’ weather but still much warmer than Canada. The hotel was wonderful aside from the construction happening on some people’s patios, but we are tough, rural folk and managed just fine.

The training from Richard and Crystal was amazing. I can’t begin to explain how crucial good training is and I feel as though it was delivered this year. We learned about some tough leadership issues that everyone who deals with people encounter. We also learned about some of the tricks about social media and a little bit of a good intro to those who are overwhelmed by the options.

The trade show was as good as I always remember it to be; we had some new faces that left some impressions (the Steiner Girls) and the tasty baklava from the gentlemen at Keba; these were just a couple of the great product conversations and good times shared.

As a new board member, and the youngest, I am excited for the upcoming term and very eager to learn from those around me – I feel like I’m among some folks that have a lot to teach (not an age reference, I promise) and I look forward to continuing our good times this summer at the Summer Conference in Minneapolis. I also found out that not everyone knew that the Summer Conference was open to everyone – it’s not just a board meeting! If it’s anything like the Annual Conference and Trade Show, it’s bound to be a great time! (Me with former president Jeff Griggs)

Meanwhile, back to Corpus Christi!

Now the banquet, that was something else! Phyllis outdid herself with the food choices and the music (again). There was a dance floor that got some good action with about a dozen of us dancing the banquet to a close. The auction was amazing! We had to explain to some new-comers that yes, mailboxes go for $300 here and that’s ok because it’s all for a good cause. There was also the Chuck-challenge for Doug….Wow. Just Wow. If I had only one word to describe this crew of people it would be ‘family’. The support and love showed that night, and all through the convention was astounding. A night to remember for sure. It didn’t end there though (it rarely does); a few of us decided to stay an extra day in Texas for a deep-sea fishing adventure which turned into, well, an adventure!

We arrive to Port Aransas with fog as thick as pea soup and some less-than-equipped vessels. Some of the boats were still not fully repaired after Harvey made his way through so we didn’t have radar or GPS on the boats which made for a very challenging hide and seek game with the breakers to get back into the jetty (I just learned those words so excuse me if I misused them….). After 8-10 foot swells, a good bought of sea sickness, and very frazzled captains, we called it after only 45 minutes on the water.

We all decided that wasn’t going to be the end of our day so we headed for breakfast, then naps, then some went for walks and shopping and some went to the USS Lexington – a dry-docked aircraft carrier turned museum; quite an impressive thing! With the ever-skilled Phyllis working on reservations for our group, we finished off the day with 26 of us heading to Landry’s for a delicious meal and farewells. It was an amazing trip and I am so excited to spend time with these folks again in July and January 2019; lots of laughs and learning.

 

Cheers,

Elizabeth

A Month Away!

It's hard to believe that in just a month we'll be gathering for the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association Annual Trade Show and Conference! With all the holiday cheer and excitement it's sometimes easy to forget about the middle of January...  We get it. If you have not yet registered and made plans to join us in Corpus Christi now is the time to make that happen. Here is a link to our registration page complete with the schedule of events and our top of the line speakers.

Come to Corpus Christi, where we hope it will be much warmer, and hang out, have some fun and learn how to become a better business owner/manager/employee. (A nudge to our Canadian Members...think...warm!)

Coming up a THANK YOU to so many who have decided to help NTPDA with sponsorship. We figure a little recognition is in order...right?

See you in Corpus Christi...remember, just a month away.

Yikes!

Paying Attention to your SEO?

The world, it seems, buys from the computer. If not making the direct purchase from the computer we, at least, go to the Internet to find where we can buy an item. The Total Retail Survey of 2016 looks at the buying habits of consumers and in the United States and Canada 40% and 38% respectively make decision purchases based on product and supplier reviews.

But, first they have to find you.

We just completed a quick study using five different computers that have had zero interaction with agricultural parts. In other words the words "Ag", "Tractor" and "Parts" were never used in any product search. We know because we picked people without any connection with agriculture. In each test we asked our subjects to do a search for "Ag Tractor Parts" just to see who and what popped up.

The good news is that several National Tractor Parts Dealer Association regular members showed up on the first page of the search. There were also paid advertising on the first page and that varied from computer to computer. 

The bad news is that many of our members did not make the first, second or even the third page of the search. What can you do to improve your ranking and "findability"?

• Paid Google Ad Words - You can pay for keywords and that investment will drive your search results but, frankly, it's a gamble;
• Review Your Home Page - If the wording on your home page has not changed in some time the "search bots" look at that and think, "Nothing new here, let's move on!" It's critical that you alter, at least every month the wording on your home page and your "About Us" page. It will help get you found;
• Social Media Interaction - If all you are doing is Facebook it is not enough. It helps but remember, you are limited to your "Likes". To reach out further you'll have to invest in other platforms. You could start to Instagram parts tractors, combines and people you work with. You could do SHORT YouTube videos of a delivery or a parts tractor or a burned combine it all matters and making sure you have keywords in your description helps;
• Do a Blog - What better way is there for people to learn about your "back-story"? Tell about your founding, your experience, your customers...it all adds up.
• Don't Just Broadcast - If you do Social Media don't just broadcast your message but interact with others. Ask questions, do a poll, have some fun. People don't always want to be "sold" they just want to be human and interact.

Hope this helps move your SEO and your website ranking.