Date United Ag & Turf began business in Texas?

[Tx Jim]

Anyone know first location & date of JD dealership that United Ag & Turf purchased in Texas? I've heard on a radio advertisement that United Ag became a dealer 40 yrs ago in Texas but I think that is incorrect to my aging memory. Google search lists Waco as headquarters of United AG & Turf & purchased in 1974 but I know Brazos Valley was Waco/Hillsboro dealer name long after 1974.
Thanks for any replies, Jim

 

[hayden]

Anyone know first location & date of JD dealership that United Ag & Turf purchased in Texas? I've heard on a radio advertisement that United Ag became a dealer 40 yrs ago in Texas but I think that is incorrect to my aging memory. Google search lists Waco as headquarters of United AG & Turf & purchased in 1974 but I know Brazos Valley was Waco/Hillsboro dealer name long after 1974.
Thanks for any replies, Jim

I think they are tying their origin date to the origin of the dealers they acquired. Makes it sounds like they have been your neighbor and buddy for generations, and must be trustworthy to have been around so long.

 

[jonsstihl]

time flies when you are having fun.

 

[Red Horse]

No clue on dates but they have also purchased the big "Yellow" dealer here in Mass.

 

[hayden]

No clue on dates but they have also purchased the big "Yellow" dealer here in Mass.

Which Yellow? Milton Cat has owned a large region in New England for a long time. I actually think Cat is one of the pioneers of the large territory, multiple location dealership model.

I think with all these things, it really comes down to execution more than the particular business model. Any model can be done well and serve its customers well, or be a total train wreck. Life is 90% about execution, and 10% about “strategy”. But the two are easily confused.

 

[Red Horse]

Sorry I should have specified "Deere Yellow"- Schmidt Equipment.
Have no fear Milton Cat is I think 4th largest Cat dealer in country if not 3rd.

In the case of Deere, no different than Ford or GM. They encourage these buyouts as I guess it makes it cheaper for them.
Friend had a very nice Deere operation here in Mass that he joined in 86 as an employee of a family business. He ended up later in his career buying it. then he bought two other independent Deere locations. Then United I guess offers him a very nice deal. So now instead of Deere overseeing 3 dealerships, that become 1, they now oversee one mega dealership that has 50+ locations.

Party line? "Economy of scale" savings!

From my perspective and a lot of my friends? We liked it before it became United.

 

[Torvy]

It is awful from a consumer's perspective. There's a sweet spot with dealers groups. In my head, it's about 3 locations. Once they get much bigger, they get too corporate and aren't good for average consumers. 3 seems to give them enough pull with OEMs to get things done, but still remember their customers, regardless of size.

 

[rScotty]

It is awful from a consumer's perspective. There's a sweet spot with dealers groups. In my head, it's about 3 locations. Once they get much bigger, they get too corporate and aren't good for average consumers. 3 seems to give them enough pull with OEMs to get things done, but still remember their customers, regardless of size.

I've often thought the same. Not on any evidence, just from my own life experience.
Given a choice, I tend to support a smaller dealer. At least we know each other.