WENDELL, N.C. — Each year, KIOTI Tractor hosts an annual meeting for all dealers focusing on continuing education, new product announcements, collaboration and comradery. This November, KIOTI celebrated a year of growth, expansion and record-breaking success with dealers from all over North America. 

To celebrate and experience KIOTI Tractor’s newly expanded North American headquarters in Wendell, N.C., KIOTI chose nearby Raleigh as the optimal location for the 2019 meeting. On Sunday, Nov. 10, dealers arrived for a kickoff reception and welcome dinner. 

“With the expansion of our North American headquarters, our new Canadian distribution center and a brand new product line in ZTRs, KIOTI has truly embodied amplification this year,” said Peter Dong-Kyun Kim, president and CEO of Daedong-USA, Inc., KIOTI Tractor Division. “And, we are always impressed by our dealer’s ability to amplify sales year over year. That’s why amplify was the perfect theme for our annual dealer meeting. We have our strong network of committed dealers to thank for a year of continued success.”

EDUCATION SESSIONS

Following an evening of festivity and welcomes, KIOTI dealers headed to the Raleigh Convention Center on Monday morning for a day filled with educational sessions and training, along with guest speakers—Adam Christing, comedian and emcee; Dr. Anthony Chan, former Chase Bank chief economist; and Sara Hey, VP of business development and leader of customized training programs at Bob Clements International. 

“This year, our speakers equipped dealers with unique insights to grow their businesses and tools to excel in the green industry,” said Greg Bibee, marketing and business development manager. “From economic forecasts to dealer training programs, we received great enthusiasm from our dealers and they gained motivation to use what they learned in the sessions for their businesses in 2020.”

The day began with a welcome address that led to various general session updates from the sales and marketing teams. The speakers and educational sessions that followed provided dealers with dynamic tools and knowledge to achieve growth and amplify their businesses, including in-depth product knowledge, a macro-economic review of the industry, and insight for dealers to utilize digital and social media. 

NEW KIOTI PRODUCTS FOR 2020

“Our amplification efforts don’t stop with 2019—much bigger things await us in 2020 with the launch of a number of new products,” continued Kim.

Dealers were the first to see—and experience—many of these new products at this year’s meeting. After general education sessions, KIOTI product experts presented dealers with new 2020 products—all prioritizing comfort, ease-of-use and maintenance. 

The CS2220 and CS2520 sub-compact tractors feature a new platform, optimized design with integrated joystick valve and an easy-to-maintain Daedong engine. These tractors also feature a standard USB and 12v power outlet for increased convenience. 

The new CX2510 compact utility tractor offers a twin pedal HST and tilt steering wheel providing comfort and accessibility to a multitude of operators. Built with the operator’s comfort in mind, it also comes complete with dual armrests on the seat and an operator friendly control layout. 

Continuing the theme of comfort for users, the new CK2610SE will incorporate a Factory Cab with AC and heat. Additionally, users can look forward to dual remote valves, HST cruise control and link pedal, and USB and AUX media inputs.

KIOTI will also be launching two new mid-mount mowers with drive-over decks for the CS Series —SM2454 and SM2460. 

PRODUCT RIDE & DRIVE AND AWARDS

Day two brought ride and drives, distillery tours and an evening to honor dealers. On Tuesday, dealers headed to Broadslab Distillery to take ZTRs, UTVs and tractors on a ride & drive. KIOTI carved out a UTV path through wooded areas to create a thrilling off road experience, created an intricate course to demonstrate ZTR mower agility, and challenged dealers with attachment games at the tractor station.

“Tuesday’s ride & drive gave our dealers the opportunity to test the new products launching in 2020, and dealers raved about the new products and the outcome of the week,” said Tim Phillips, national sales manager. “We are thrilled that the time, effort and research that went into the development of these new products and the events at the dealer meeting were so well received.” 

Throughout the various courses, KIOTI experts reviewed current and new product lines, which were well received by dealers. Following the ride & drive, KIOTI treated dealers with a food truck rodeo, and tour and tasting of the uniquely southern and rustic moonshine distillery. 

Later that evening, dealers toured the KIOTI headquarters facility that recently underwent a $13 million, 162,000-square feet expansion that doubled the size of the facility. Dealers saw first hand KIOTI’s commitment to providing unmatched product and parts availability to its North American dealer network. 

The evening celebration recognized top dealers with KIOTI awards. The company presented more than 50 dealers with awards including Million Dollar Dealer Award, New Dealer of the Year, Strongest Retail Growth, Top Sales, Ultimate UTV Dealer, Top Parts Dealer, Top Implement Dealer and Excellence in Marketing.