Small Business

Where Are They Now with Trey Russell

One of the regular features we do for the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association (NTPDA) is visit with members about their business, family, local Trey and Pat community and more. It's our way of helping the Association boost their voice. Here in a segment we call "Where Are They Now" we visit with Trey Russell from Russell Tractor Parts of Scottsboro, Alabama who, way back in 1999, received a scholarship from the NTPDA and we thought you might like to learn more.  This past year NTPDA awarded 25 scholarships for a total of $66,500 plus another $12.500 from member companies who sponsored a young person. (Photo: Trey and his father Pat Russell)

Thanks for listening!

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFMPodbeaniTunesSpotifyStitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.


Meet Our Members - Colfax Tractor Parts

Recently I took a trip down a gravel road in tiny Colfax, Iowa to visit with Jeff Bucklin of Colfax Tractor Parts. They own 100 acres full of nearly every type Jeff Bucklin 17 May 2024 of used agriculture equipment out there. The founder of the business, Bennie Bucklin (79) still puts in a full week of work helping identify where various tractors, combines, planters, skid loaders are located. Now, get this: They ship these tractor and construction parts all over the globe. It's a big deal. In addition they also buy "gently used" vehicles, detail 'em and sell those as well. Come along for a great family story we think you'll enjoy. 

Thanks for being here!

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFMPodbeaniTunesSpotifyStitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.


Meet Our Members DC Heavy Hydraulics

Join us as we travel to the small community of Union, South Carolina where we visit with one of NTPDA's newest members and what has become a very fast Ann Kerr DC NTPDA Member August 2023 growing small business. Ann Kerr is the General Manager of DC Heavy Hydraulics.  The company has seen rapid growth over the past eight years and Ann suggests that is because of their commitment to customer service, building positive relationships and having a dedicated technical staff. We love showcasing growing small businesses and more than that we so enjoy visiting with new NTPDA members!  Listen in to our conversation.  

Thanks for listening!

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFMPodbeaniTunesSpotifyStitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.


New Member: Chris Honeymann a Startup Story

While we were at the Annual Conference and Trade Show, this year in Nashville, (AND...what a great time we all had!) for the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association (NTPDA) we got the opportunity to visit with a guy Chris Honeymann Jan 2023 who had just opened up his business. It's not common that we get this opportunity so we sat down with Chris Honeymann to talk about what it means to realize a dream come true, what challenges he had/has, his thoughts about the NTPDA and more.  Meet Chris from Honeymann Tractor Parts of Arkansas. Thank you Chris for becoming a member and...for your great comments about our time in Nashville and what you've experienced in the short time you've been with us.  Can we enlist you as a spokesperson?  Good on you! 

Thanks for listening!

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFMPodbeaniTunesSpotifyStitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.


Winning in a Business Dominated by Men - Meet Terri Stevens

She started selling recycled tractor parts when she was seventeen. Something not many young women did in the 1970's.  Fast forward several years and she Terri Stevens January 2023 became the owner of The Tractor Barn. Today Terri Stevens sells tractors, parts, lawn and garden machines to an ever expanding customer base. We caught up with Terri in Nashville at the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association Annual Conference & Trade Show.  Where we talked about a host of things including how NTPDA has impacted her and her business.  How have things changed in her world...let's find out as you "Meet Our Members". 

Thanks for listening to a program dedicated to raising the brand of NTPDA. 

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFMPodbeaniTunesSpotifyStitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour. 


The Russell Tractor Parts Story with Pat Russell

Recently the NTPDA Board traveled to Scottsboro, Alabama for our Summer Board Meeting. Hosting us was Russell's Tractor Parts with NTPDA President Trey Pat Trey Russell Use July 2022
Russell
and former President Pat Russell.  It was a resounding success and our Board really enjoyed the time in Scottsboro. It also gave us a chance to sit down with Pat to learn more about the company, who they serve and the many changes he's seen. Pat has been pushing iron for years and now, in partnership with Trey, he took us back to the beginning. We talk about the growth of the company, how family plays into the success and so much more. Here then is the story of Russell's Tractor Parts  Enjoy...we sure did!  To listen just click our player. 

This is one of a continuing series of stories about our NTPDA Members.  As always, should you have some news for us let us know.  We're always open to learning more and sharing your stories. You can connect with us by sending an email to [email protected]  And, thanks for being a member...it does matter! 


Seller Beware!

We're all aware of the old saying, "Buyer beware!" and while that's true even sellers need to beware of scam artists. Here is a story about that we think Man Selling Elixer you'll enjoy and, perhaps, learn from.

We get phone calls all the time from people wanting to sell NTPDA something. From Medicare insurance to car warranty insurance to copy paper. It's a steady stream. However, not long ago we received, for the second time, a phone call from a company who wanted to sell us parts. The  person on the other line said, "Please, we would like to sell you tractor parts. Can you put me in touch with your purchasing agent?" We told them we don't actually sell parts but our members sell parts.  He was not listening. "No, no, no...we have tractor parts for you. Please let me speak to your purchasing agent." Again, I shared with my insistent friend that we do not sell parts but if his company wanted to sell parts to our members his company should become a member of NTPDA. He said, "Yes, yes I understand but we do have tractor parts to sell to you. May I please speak to your purchasing agent?"

Clearly he didn't understand and this went on for some time (we are very patient people here at NTPDA) before I asked the caller for his email and I would
send him a note about who and what we are and give him the opportunity to join our group. That was three weeks ago and we've not heard back.

Man Shell GameLast week I was visiting with one of our long-term members who I knew sold a specific brand of parts to dealers. I told him the story and he said to me, "I know who you are talking about and it is a scam."  He told me that he had gotten a call from this same company requesting that he send some parts to three of their clients in the U.S. and that the company ordering the parts would pay the bill.  So, our member received payment online and filled the three orders. All good...right?

Except a few days later the company that called to order the parts disputed the charges and the payment was reversed.

Our member was out the parts and the payment.  While it was not a huge order it still hurt.

The bottom line here is know who you are doing business with. One of the great things about being a member of NTPDA is that we do know each other. We do business with each other and there is a method to attempt to fix problems that arise. 

Yes, along with our many benefits, there is a sense of comfort being an NTPDA member...and thank you!


NTPDA Leadership with Scott Schelling and Trey Russell

Over 40 years ago a group of agriculture equipment recyclers got together and formed the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association (NTPDA). The group was small and mostly confined to the United States. Today the association has members not only in the Trey and Scott KC July 2021 U.S. but also Canada, Italy, Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom and Malaysia. Here I sit down with Scott Schelling the Immediate Past President and owner of Rock Valley Tractor Parts of Iowa and Trey Russell the incoming President and second generation to Russell's Tractor Parts of Alabama during our time at our Annual Conference and Trade Show. We talk about what they've gotten out of the association and what may be coming in the future.  Plus a "Shout Out" about the Summer Mixer coming in July. 

Thanks for listening!

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFMPodbeaniTunesSpotifyStitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.


Meet Our Members - Schmidt Machine Company

We welcome back to NTPDA our friends at Schmidt Machine based in Upper Sandusky, Ohio. Recently the company was featured during an broadcast interview Kevin Schmidt 13 December 2021 for Insight on Business the News Hour here is that piece:

"Over the years we've interviewed hundreds of business owners. Some that are in a brand new business and others that have taken over a company that's been around for decades. Today, in our Small Business Spotlight, we're visiting with Kevin Schmidt whose grandfather, back in 1928, started Schmidt Machine based in Upper Sandusky, Ohio. For a family owned company to have been around that long is a testament to hard work and quality products. Schmidt Machine specializes in creating aftermarket ag parts and does business world-wide.  Meet Kevin...who also does a bit of "standup comedy" when he's not running the business and, yes, he offers up a sample."

If you've got news about your company we'd love to hear from you! Send your press releases for The Bulletin and for consideration for a broadcast to [email protected]. You can also call us at 877-668-0900 for details.

Thank you for being a member! 


BIG News for Small Businesses and the NTPDA

Thanks for clicking through. As we work to get critical information to members of the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association  (NTPDA) we thought this Veronica Pugin DC SBA conversation about getting capital from the Small Business Administration would be very helpful. There have been many changes to the COVID19 Loan Program. Pay close attention to the new guidelines for gaining capitol for your small business. And, second, if you know a person who owns or manages a small business send this link to them. It could make a huge difference.  My guest is Veronica Pugin who is the Senior Advisor in the Office of Capital Access for the Small Business Administration. Here too is your link to the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program that we talk about. Know there are new guidelines and an easier way in which to apply for business capital.

Thanks for being here!

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFMPodbeaniTunesSpotifyStitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.