The Papé Group is continuing to expand, with the recent acquisition of Fisher Farm & Lawn, an 87-year-old John Deere dealer in Albany, by Papé Machinery.

The acquisition more than doubles Papé Machinery’s John Deere Agriculture and Turf territory and will allow it to expand its sales and service network from six locations in Eastern Washington and Northwestern Idaho to a wider region that includes Northwestern Oregon and the Willamette Valley. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Selling at this time is the right decision for the companies and employees involved,” Fisher President Patrick Richards said. “The recent economic crisis made us a leaner and stronger company and it is imperative that we now move into growth mode, either independently or as part of another company.”

Richards said the acquisition will provide more career opportunities for Fisher employees, almost all of whom were rehired by Papé, because of the size and scope of Papé’s operations.

Richards noted that Papé has acquired six other John Deere Agriculture and Turf dealerships since November of last year and that the Eugene firm “has plans to continue aggressively expanding in this market.”

Papé Group board Chairwoman Susie Papé said in a recent interview that the Papé family wants to continue to grow the company and its employee base. Ryan Papé, one of the fourth generation of Papé owner-employees and director of Agriculture and Turf for Papé Machinery, said of the latest acquisitions: “When our great-grandfather started our business almost 75 years ago, he did so by selling agricultural implements throughout Oregon’s Willamette Valley.”

“We look forward to strengthening the relationships with our Agriculture and Turf customers,” Ryan Papé said.