Even In A Tough Economy, Opportunities Abound by Greg German

The economy is bad, businesses aren’t investing, unemployment is near 10%, banks aren’t lending, and customers aren’t buying. Sounds like a terrible time to start a new dealership. Guess what? We are going to open a new dealership. It’s not because I enjoy going against conventional wisdom or that I have this unrelenting need to feed my entrepreneurial urges. The only reason that makes any sense is “opportunity.”

For the past five years I have been looking at different dealership expansion opportunities that have been presented, but each time either the seller or the manufacturer had unrealistic expectations or plans that just didn’t include me. Those trials were time consuming and a bit discouraging, but I wanted to make sure that if something did come along, we would be in a position to react.

Layout, Displays Draw Interest, Boost Sales

Each year, usually during the slower winter months, Joe Richburg, owner of J.R.’s Lawnmower Shop in Opp, Ala., sets aside some time to make improvements to his store or shop.

During winter of 2008-9, Richburg embarked on his most ambitious project yet: moving walls, relocating the handheld service area and adding more parts inventory storage. Just as important, a new showroom is now an open, modern retailing area, not a series of nooks and crannies.

To Boost Spring Sales, Focus On The ‘Basics’ by John Walker

There are many times you’ll hear someone mention the word “basics.” “A Return to the Basics.” “Following the Basics.” “Focusing on the Basics.” But in many equipment dealerships, the basics are too often taken for granted. Basics have been talked about and mentioned for so long, that we believe everybody follows and understands them. We are often told that basics are a part of the job description. We find that what we refer to as being basic is so common that we all assume that the basic is being followed. There are what could be termed: “Big Basics” and “little basics” and the size of the basic all depends on how much dealers and managers believe these particular basics effect the overall operation of the dealership.

As an example, for the past five or six months we have been focusing upon many basics that we all should be aware of in the product support or parts and service areas of an equipment dealership. For years I had assumed dealers pondered over and studied their fin

Deep Thoughts-and a Laugh

Last year was brutal for small businesses, and 2010 promises to be only marginally better. We’ll have to live with “survival as the new success” for a while longer—so here are 10 tips on how to make it through the lean times.

1. Take advantage of government programs. While small-business owners are often rightly cynical about the government being here to help, the bailout era does include something for everyone. The stimulus package is still pouring money into construction projects. The Small Business Administration has sweetened its loan programs. Investment-incentive schemes such as the obscure New Market Tax Credits program are steering money to certain areas and industries. And make sure your accountant is on top of the numerous, new tax breaks available to small companies.

Dealers Adapt To Economy by Dan Shell

Signs of spring are starting to pop up in the lawn and garden industry—despite the recent Deep South 6 in. “blizzards” in mid February that cost PET HQ a snow day. Yet there are signs the economy is trying to thaw, and a sense there’s some pent-up demand out there for lawn and garden equipment, especially on the professional side.

Following the sinking economy and banking implosion of late 2008, the year 2009 was tough on all, and especially to any industry even remotely related to new home construction, which is a prime driver of new lawn and garden equipment sales. Dealers responding to Power Equipment Trade’s 2010 Dealer Survey show just how tough 2008-9 has been. Comparing annual sales from 2007 with those in 2009, 45% of dealers reported a sales decrease, with 15% of dealers reporting sales drops of more than 20%.

Latest Recreation Products for Dealers

Yamaha is introducing 2011 Rhino 700 FI vehicles this summer, including a new sport edition. The 2011 Rhino will have a new steering wheel and adjustable seat belt, providing more rider comfort in off-road conditions. Also new to the Rhino line is a White Armor Sport Edition that features fully adjustable piggyback shocks, one-piece cast aluminum wheels, injection-molded sun top, over fenders, Baja-inspired front carry bar, and a special graphics treatment. The Sport model also comes with dealer-installed LED tail lights, custom shift knob and black bed rails. The 700-class powerplant is optimized for the Rhino with a liquid-cooled, 4-valve SOHC engine providing plenty of torque to tackle rough terrain. The 2011 Rhino is designed, engineered, and assembled in the U.S.

Supplier Sales, Distribution and Program News

Maruyama U.S. Inc. recently co-sponsored a dealer incentive trip to the Paradisus Playa Conchal Resort on Costa Rica’s North Pacific Riviera. California distributor Tru-Power Inc. organized the event for its Maruyama dealer base located in southern California, Arizona and Nevada.

According to Jack Ball, Sales Manager for Tru-Power, “On behalf of the participating dealers we sincerely thank Maruyama for co-sponsoring this incredible trip. During our farewell banquet, many dealers came up to me and asked how many Maruyama products they need to buy to qualify for the next incentive trip. ‘We want to go again,’ they all said.”

The Latest in New Products, New Technology

Rotary offers tires, wheels, tubes and hubs that are rugged and built to last. Product selection includes: steel wheels for commercial and riding mowers; deck and plastic wheels; complete line of tubes and hubs; universal wheels; wheel assemblies with bearings and bushings; steel rims; multiple turf, super lug and saw tooth tires; trailer and snow blower tires; golf cart tirescom Rotary guarantees quality that meets or exceeds all OEM standards for operation. Also available is the free 2010 catalog for servicing dealers and distributors, featuring over 8,000 parts, tools and accessories.