Arends Bros. LLC Melvin, Illinois and Hogan Walker LLC Dwight, Illinois today announce the merger of their two companies into one new company named AHW – Arends Hogan Walker.

The merger combines the businesses of two long time John Deere dealers into a venture that includes ten locations throughout east-central and northeastern Illinois. AHW — Arends Hogan Walker will become one of the strongest and best resourced John Deere implement dealers in the Midwest.

Both companies have served the Ag community for decades and have successful resumes independent of each other. And now, combined as one, they believe they are poised to continue serving the industry in bigger and better ways. The new AHW has positioned themselves as providing 'Tomorrows Solutions Today.'

Addressing the timing of the merger, Sean Hogan of Hogan Walker said “with the new technology coming down the John Deere pipeline, the timing of our merger is right. By doing this now, we will be a bigger and better resourced dealer.” Chad Braden of Arends Bros. continued saying “combining the two businesses will allow us to be a greater source of new and used equipment. We’ll have a bigger number of products. And, we’ll be able to do things that not many dealers can do today.”

How the 'Two' Became 'One'

Arends Bros. Company History

The Arends Family has served the agricultural community as a John Deere dealer for over 75 years. In the fall of 1932, Henry Arends, with his sons Roy and Walt, acquired the franchise selling John Deere agricultural equipment in Melvin, Illinois. One of their first sales that fall was a John Deere model “D” tractor with steel wheels and a Model “C” 2-bottom plow. After a successful first 2 years, Henry Arends moved the business from the back of a grain elevator to a large brick-front building where the dealership thrived for the next 43 years.

Hogan Walker Company History

Hogan Walker LLC has locations serving northeastern Illinois. Hogan Implement Company based in Dwight, Illinois and Walker Sales, Inc. based in Morris, Illinois, merged in December of 1997 to form Hogan Walker LLC.

Servicing Agriculture, Commercial & Consumer Equipment customers, Hogan Walker also shared a dedication to maintaining ethical business practices and an ongoing commitment to providing the very best in customer service. With this commitment Hogan Walker flourished and grew into operating six dealerships in the state of Illinois — in Elburn, Somonauk, Morris, Dwight, Manteno, and Watseka.

Moving Forward as One Company

Only the signs will change AHW will blend the best aspects of both companies to form a multi-faceted approach to servicing their customers. All AHW facilities are clean and modern allowing service personnel to work quickly and efficiently. Their continuing goal is to keep John Deere equipment working at peak performance.

The experienced staff and crew at all AHW locations will continue to be the new company’s greatest asset. Each of the approximately three hundred employees have, on average, more than 15 years experience in the farm machinery business and are leading experts in their chosen fields. Several key service personnel are certified as John Deere Master Technicians and nearly all of the rest are John Deere certified in Hydraulics, Electrical Diagnostics, or Air Conditioning.

Additionally, the new AHW will have a commitment to the future that will include the ability to sell and service advancing technical products that are key to increasing the productivity of successful farming.

To meet these special demands of the upgraded technology, AHW employs and will add personnel who are specially trained in the sales and service of these products.

The commitment to excellence in its’ workforce coupled with a broadened product line and additional investments in the company’s infrastructure will allow AHW to provide superior service to all current and future customers.

Today: The Same and Better

“Our customers really won’t see anything different in how we operate, except for our new signs” said Chad Braden. “We will have the same places, same faces and even the same phone numbers at all of our locations. In our opinion, the extensive experience of the Arends Brothers staff and the Hogan Walker staff will give us greater ability to take care of all the needs our customers have with their equipment.”

Sean Hogan continued that thought. “There will be no difference in our commitment to service at any location. In fact, we will have more choices in equipment, parts and service. And this merger will allow us to build upon our current strengths so that going forward we are an even better company.”

The New AHW

The merger will result in a total of ten locations from I-70 in Coles County north all the way to the Wisconsin State line.