Brexit, Farming & Healthcare with Nick Young

It's not very often that we hear directly from a citizen of the United Kingdom about...business. Here you will meet a returning guest, Nick Young the founder of  Nick Young Tractor Parts located in Lincolnshire who has plenty to say about the difficulty and expense associated with Brexit.  How just to sell a tractor or tractor  part to someone in Europe is not only time consuming but also expensive. We also chat a bit about farming there and I asked about the healthcare system in this wide ranging conversation from the NTPDA 2023 Conference and Trade Show held in Nashville. 

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 PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher 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 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 PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher 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
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! 

The Summer Bulletin is Out and Online

The newly designed NTPDA Bulletin should be in your mailbox within the next week or so. Inside you'll be able to "Remember When" with some great photos, learn the "financial literacy" secrets to building a more successful business with author Jack Stack. And, yes there is an NTPDA connection. Jack's company owns NTPDA Member Global Recovery Corporation based in Missouri. You'll also hear from our financial advisor Craig Shaver about the importance of trust when it comes to investing. President Trey invites you to join us for our Summer Board Meeting this year in Scottsboro, Alabama. There is some news about the Farm Bill in a Washington, D.C. report. In "Staff Notes" you'll learn what Kim and Michael have been up to over the past several months.

And what is really neat is that you'll be able to meet our 2022 NTPDA Scholarship Recipients. The Board increased the number of students able to receive funds and it's really interesting to read what each of our "Class of 2022" are seeking to do with their education. 

Finally, a big THANK YOU to our many Bulletin advertisers. We've been able to outpace our Spring Edition as more of our members have come to understand that The Bulletin is a great way to showcase products and services and it is mailed to every member in the U.S. and Canada. For those of you who are in other nations know that you can access The Bulletin by clicking this link or simply going to the tab at the top of our website.

Remember, we're here to help you share news and information about your company. Our deadline for the Fall Issue is 17 August. Feel free to send your news and your ads directly to Michael at [email protected]

Here's to a profitable summer!

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 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.

Last 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 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 PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher 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.

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.

 

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 [email protected] 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.

YOU Did It!

Congratulations NTPDA Members...YOU DID IT!  We have turned a big corner in our efforts to build back this organization. The official numbers shared with the Board last Saturday said it all.  This year in Maricopa we had more companies, more vendors/displayers and more attendees than we've seen in two years. That is a credit to each of you who have worked to make this happen. You have encouraged others to join you. You have brought along new people to experience our Annual Conference and Trade Show. And you have come away from this event with more knowledge, business opportunities and friendships than before.

That friends is outstanding.

Over the next several months we'll be sharing videos, images and audio recordings from #NTPDA20 in Arizona. Don't be surprised if you see yourself and many of your fellow NTPDA Members.

This is not a time to rest but a time to take action and prepare for our Summer Meeting and make plans to attend our 2021 Annual Conference and Trade Show which will be held in Nashville.

In the meantime know that we are working every day to build our association membership rolls and to bring even more value to your membership dues.

Thank you...again and let's, together, DO THIS! 

 

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!