CSTK is a Thermo King Dealer and transportation solutions provider with locations in Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Pennsylvania. The Wichita, Kan. location recently added Branson Tractors and ASV compact track loaders as part of its move to a 22,000 square- foot facility along a major interstate.

The dealership added Branson in late 2016 and ASV in 2017 and, despite limited marketing and inventory, customers are finding them and buying.

“Branson Tractors are not known in the Midwest, but they have good name recognition in the Southeast. People who are doing their research like the shipping weight — everyone wants a heavy tractor,” says Derrik Landsverk, facility and sales manager. Many of the tractor customers own small farms or acreages.

Derrik Landsverk is facility and sales manager for CSTK in Wichita, Kan.

Referrals through Branson’s dealer locator helped early, but CSTK has increased its participation in farm shows to build brand awareness. Landsverk says sales were slow in the first year, but competitive pricing and package deals with Titan Attachments and Lamar trailers are now driving sales.

Seeking Features of ASV

Landsverk says sales have been good for ASV compact track loaders. Customers are seeking out the line because of its undercarriage, ground clearance, speed and smooth ride as well its minimal ground impact.

“When I’m talking to customers, I let people educate me. I tell them that we’re a new dealer and doing my homework and they’ll talk about the features like the speed and ground clearance,” he says. Along the way, they’re selling themselves.

Landsverk says being an ASV dealer has driven interest in Branson tractors. Both buyers do considerable research and are often sold on the brands before talking with the dealership.

Committing to the Line

Landsverk says manufacturers from a variety of industries contact CSTK corporate about taking on new lines, due to the company’s locations and the kinds of lines it already carries, like Meyer and SnowEx snow plows, Espar Heater Systems and Red Dot Corp. mobile HVAC systems.

However, CSTK pursued Branson and has secured the Kansas territory and sells parts nationwide. He doesn’t expect the company’s other locations to add Branson because each one serves a distinct market. Kansas, with its many farms and large property owners, provide a solid customer base for CSTK.

The dealership already has an experienced service department and expects to increase its parts inventory after models have been in use.

Landsverk says CSTK is committed to the brand and has plans to develop an outdoor display area, where customers will see the lineup as they drive past it on the way to a local event arena. For this season, farm shows are the focus.

“We want people to see the tractors, track loaders, get to know the Branson and ASV brand names, and be able to climb up on the machines,” he says.