FarmTrac Troubles

[SESS]

Out of curosity-did LS Cable (LS Mtron) send this survey packet to Montana and McCormick dealers? In the survey that was sent to the Farmtrac dealers-it had questions asking about Montana and McCormick as well as Escort. Just wonder how many different groups got the survey to fill out. We Farmtrac dealers have also been receiving phone calls and also personal visits from the consulting company that is conducting the survey for LS Mtron.
As always, lots more questions than answers to be found these days.......I say beware to all equipment dealers!!

 

[case1570]

SESS.....I say beware to all equipment dealers!!

Beware of who? LS Mtron......welcome, welcome, welcome, finally a real player in this game! Textron.......bye-bye!
Case
Still checking the mail for my LTZ payment!

 

[redneckford]

We Farmtrac dealers have also been receiving phone calls and also personal visits from the consulting company that is conducting the survey for LS Mtron.
As always, lots more questions than answers to be found these days.......I say beware to all equipment dealers!!

PERSONAL VISITS????? Were they wearing cowboy hats and spurs!!!!---did they have a southern accent???They may not be who they claim to be. They may work for a NEW york CITY LAWYER!!! Don't think for a minute those lo-- fish ain't got the best law----y--ers that money can steal---- hired!!!

 

[redneckford]

BOOK-----BOOKS!!!! GAME ON GET TO WRITING-----oh yea!!! sombody better get to sending blue some information on LS Mtron red blue green and you!!!!

 

[redneckford]

TimC---public forum---public forum---LETS US KNOW 'BOUT LS MTRON!!!

 

[longtrman]

TimC---public forum---public forum---LETS US KNOW 'BOUT LS MTRON!!!

Sorry red all we know about LS Mtron we have told you. More when we know more.

 

[Tim C.]

Everyone knows as much as I do.

LS Mtron was LS Cable, was LG Cable. Same people, same goals.

There is a survey out to all Farmtrac dealers by mail, personal visit, and internet based. It did not go out to M and McC dealers. First question was what dealerships you had at the time. Only listed FNA, M, and McC. If you checked (mail) or clicked (internet) M or McC you were routed to the back page (mail) or last question (internet). That read basically, thanks for answering one question. Good day. This survey was for Farmtrac dealers only.

I don't know what, if anything, should be read into it because of this.

The LS product is excellent and I have nothing but respect for the current management people at Montana and McCormick.

I look forward to some future guidance from M and McC. Both need to be active in their communication with dealers. The fear of the unknown is often more damaging than the actual event. Swift dialog with dealers to belay their concerns should be the order of the day.

I have spoken to both M and McC today. I wish them the best in dealing with the opportunities ahead.

Tim

 

[redneckford]

THANKS TIM C----sometimes information travels slow even in the internet age imagine how hard it was to get this smoke signal out west to montana and Idaho---I think they are aware of what is going on----Please post this information in the Montana thread just in case---Knowing about it and being the last to know---its just as bad as being the first to know WRONG INFORMATION!!!!

 

[taxpayer]

Hey SESS, been watching all the rain you guys are getting down there, you OK? in the words of the johnny cash song " how high's the water momma???" -----Taxpayer

 

[SESS]

Ole Fay has moved out of this area and headed across the panhandle. She has alot rain with her and left lot here! Thanks for asking!!

 

[Tractech]

Well I guess that means that you now get to put all your thoughts back into dealing with the ever wonderful TXRN! It is just amazing how wonderful they are at building strong relationships with the dealers. Maybe they really do spend their free time trying to figure out how to better serve the customer and dealer! It really is true though with such a great company to assist us in our businesses we should be thankful they are looking out for us.
Ok I have now recoved I am sorry I was infected for a moment with a positive bug but I am now back to reality!!

SESS, I am very glad ya'll are ok down there and not floating away.

 

[redneckford]

Ok I have now recoved I am sorry I was infected for a moment with a positive bug but I am now back to reality!!

SESS, I am very glad ya'll are ok down there and not floating away.

DANG!!! STARTING TO WONDER????----if you were demo--ing that air breathing machine from NC?????

 

[blueliner]

Greetings, all!

Does AgriMarketing Magazine know something we don't?
Here's the link, or read below:

---- story begins here ----

MONTANA TRACTORS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR LS TRACTORS SOLD THROUGH FARMTRAC
Mar. 11, 2008

Farm Equipment magazine reports:

Through correspondence received on March 10, 2008, Ted Wade, Montana Tractors vice-chairman and co-owner, announced that members of Montana Tractors' ownership group had just returned from New Delhi, India where it had meetings with the owners and executive management team of Escorts, Ltd. the parent company of Farmtrac North America.

"The meetings were held to discuss the possible business options available between the two companies," Wade says.

"We have been in discussions with Escorts off and on for the better parts of two years. We had not, prior to these meetings, been able to find a definition to the scope of what a relationship would mean between our two companies today and or in the future. We now feel we are close to bringing closure to these discussions. Montana Tractors plans on being very aggressive in growing its market share in what is going to be a very challenging compact tractor market this year. We felt we could not finalize our business plans for this year without bringing some closure to these conversations."

Exclusive of these conversations, Montana Tractors has announced it will provide parts/service through its network on all LS tractors sold through the Farmtrac network, as long as the dealer is an existing Montana Dealer or becomes a Montana Dealer in the future.

"The Montana Tractor brand and our dealer network have been and shall remain the main focus of our future business strategy," comments Wade. "We will continue to look at opportunities to grow our business both internally and externally as value-add business opportunities present themselves. At this juncture, we continue to emphasize our commitment to all our associates, dealers and customers."

Montana Tractors is a privately-held corporation, located in Springdale, Ark., and distributes compact and utility tractors throughout its dealer base in North America. It is the fastest-growing brand of compact and utility tractors with models ranging from 23-to-70 horsepower. Montana Tractors currently employs approximately 70 personnel and assembles product at its plant in Springdale, as well as holds a distribution network of over 250 dealers in North America.

Farmtrac North America has been a distributor of compact and utility tractors in the U.S. until it ceased business operations in late January. Its operation in Tarboro, N.C., was placed in receivership by a North Carolina court last week.

---- story ends here ----

I think AgriMarketing missed the mark on this one.
For the record, they did not contact me regarding this story nor am I a contributor to it.

After phone and e-mail inquiries, they have continued to decline running detailed content about the Farmtrac situation. I'm unsure why they're not interested in getting it right.

More important: Farmtrac retailers, customer and readers in general should be careful what is printed about the FNA situation, and check for its validity.

Dealers et al, feel free to weigh in on this one.
The reading public will be interested in your takes on it.

Regards,
--blueliner

 

[Tim C.]

Lots of rumors and false starts regarding Farmtrac.

I see very little in print that is accurate. Some trade group wrote a little, half researched, spot and sold it to just about everyone. I see it in several trade publications. Editors will buy anything these days to fill inches.

Tim

 

[redneckford]

Textron----money to advertise-----FarmTrac Dealers------well I think you know the point I am trying to make!!!! Nice thoughts? Those with the gold get to------

 

[blueliner]

Lots of rumors and false starts regarding Farmtrac.

I see very little in print that is accurate... Editors will buy anything these days to fill inches.

Tim,
Almost anything... all except the rearend-busting efforts works I've compiled (with the assistance of many!). Numerous media outlets have turned and run during an initial explanation.

Like Nicholson said (as Col. Nathan R. Jessup) with a scowl and a fist hammered against a courtroom table in 'A Few Good Men,'
"Son, you can't haaaaaaaan-dle the truth."

It appears from some reason, none can (or have the gonads to).

Commrades (your work *is* appreciated!!) and I gone to extensive lengths on the state, regional and national levels to make the Farmtrac situation known to the greater public.

Many of those efforts appear to have bogged down in the mire of bureaucracy or masterfully smothered.

$2.9 million in fraud to U.S. consumers must not be enough?
Perhaps not yet.

That will inevitably change, though. Some persist; they refuse to go away until the wrongdoings and wrongdoers are feretted out. Just as TFC thinks each day is another victory, they best not be deluded: our bloodhounds get steps closer, too.

And unlike the Evil Empire... the hounds are a hungry lot.

--blueliner

 

[Tim C.]

Let me rephrase the reply.

Editors will by anything that fits their view regardless of the truth to fill inches.

Tim

 

[blueliner]

Let me rephrase the reply. Editors will by anything that fits their view regardless of the truth to fill inches.

Tim -- ya nailed it. Even scored nicely with the Eastern Bloc judge.

After all how could a farm mag sponsored by the Evil Empire run an article exposing the multinational parasite for its ill actions toward Farmtrac retailers?

Nah... not hardly.
--b