Articles by Kim Schmidt

To the Point

Don’t Walk Past the Problem, Address It Now

By Kim Schmidt posted on November 17, 2024 | Posted in Best Practices

When asked about the origin of his leadership style, the late Gulf War General Norman Schwarzkopf answered, “I never walk past a problem. I never see something going wrong and forget about it. I always stop and confront it right there.”

5 Questions with STIHL’s Terry Horan

Terry Horan, president & CEO of Stihl Inc., shares his outlook on the rural lifestyle market and STIHL’s evolution into the zero-turn business.

By Kim Schmidt posted on December 9, 2022 | Posted in Rural Lifestyle Market

We sat down with Terry Horan, president and CEO of Stihl Inc., during the Equip Exposition in Louisville, Ky., to talk about his new role at the helm of the OPE manufacturer. Horan joined the company April 1, 2022. He had previously spent 17 years running the Bosch Power Tools group.

OPE Manufacturers Once Again Out Score ‘All Manufacturers’

Grasshopper takes Dealers Choice Award in NAEDA’s 2022 Dealer-Manufacturer Relations survey, with Gold Level Awards going to Bad Boy, Echo, Exmark, Scag, Shindaiwa, Walker & Wright Mfg.

By Kim Schmidt posted on August 29, 2022 | Posted in Manufacturer News, Data & Forecasts

As in past years, the outdoor power equipment manufacturers as a group were ranked higher than their major line, shortline and tractor manufacturer counterparts.

Young Owner Breathes New Life into Florida Dealership

Jeremy Connor, owner of Kioti & Branson dealership Connor Tractor, increased the business’ tractor sales in just 18 months.

By Kim Schmidt posted on August 29, 2022 | Posted in Best Practices, Rural Lifestyle Market

Connor Tractor has only been open for business for 18 months, but in that time owner Jeremy Connor has improved their unit sales, been named to a “40 under 40” list locally and was named best agricultural dealer in the 352 area code.

Industry Q&A

How Are Industry-wide Price Increases Impacting Dealers?

By Kim Schmidt posted on September 28, 2021 | Posted in Rural Lifestyle Market, Dealer-to-Dealer Resources

What level of price increases have you seen from the manufacturers for the lines you carry? How do these price increases compare to previous years, and what sort of impact will they have on your business?

Duane Nolden of Middleton Power Centers Visits with the Rural Lifestyle Dealer Staff

Another Small Dealer Takes a Hit from Deere

By Kim Schmidt posted on September 17, 2021 | Posted in Dealer News

Middleton Power Center's last day as a John Deere dealer was Aug. 5, 2021. To add insult to injury, Deere also sent out a “Closed” Dealership Notification Notice that simply said “Dealership closed – no replace” to Stihl and Honda on their last day as a Deere dealer.

Start Growing Tomorrow’s Dealership Leaders Now

By Kim Schmidt posted on August 3, 2021 | Posted in Best Practices, Dealer-to-Dealer Resources

We’re back! Today kicks off the 2021 Dealership Minds Summit — Developing Your Homegrown Talent. It feels great to be back hosting an in-person event after 18 months of virtual meetings. I’m looking forward to seeing those who were able to make it out to Omaha for the Summit.

Is There Life Beyond Deere?

By Kim Schmidt posted on May 26, 2021 | Posted in Manufacturer News, Dealer News

Tennessee lost its last single-store John Deere dealer in March, but it didn’t lose a dealer. Clifford Pugh, owner of Tri-County Equipment in Crossville, Tenn., announced recently that Deere informed him in March 2020 that they would be terminating his contract on Sept. 2, 2020 because of lower than expected market share performance.

5 Questions with STIHL’s Bjoern Fischer

By Kim Schmidt posted on May 3, 2021 | Posted in Rural Lifestyle Market

Fischer says a combination of factors — beyond just the increase in home projects due to COVID-19 — aligned for a strong year for business in 2020 and leading into the first half of 2021. The 5 Questions With... series is brought to you by Altoz.

Tracks on Mowers Offer Unique Advantages

By Kim Schmidt posted on April 5, 2021 | Posted in Product Innovations, Niche Markets

Altoz offers a product that is unique to the industry — zero-turn and stand-on mowers with tracks. And while Altoz owner Dennis Brazier says tracked mowers certainly won’t replace all wheeled mowers, they offer a unique advantage for commercial, municipality or farm customers. The Altoz Advantage series is brought to you by Altoz.

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Mowhawk Mowers Enters the Zero-Turn Space

Mowhawk mowers using decades of manufacturing experience to enter the zero-turn space and grow its dealer network.

Top Directory Listings

Yanmar

Yanmar America is the North American headquarters of Yanmar Holdings. Ranked #1 in Product Quality for five years in a row by the Equipment Dealers Association, Yanmar provides innovative solutions for Rural Lifestyle and Industrial Equipment customers.

Yanmar was the world’s first manufacturer to develop a practical small diesel engine in 1933 and has continued to push the boundaries of innovation and technology ever since. As a manufacturer of diesel engines, compact tractors and utility task vehicles, construction machinery, and industrial equipment, Yanmar's products are sold in over 130 countries.

At Yanmar America, we are committed to providing our customers with the highest quality products and services, backed by a strong team of professionals who share our dedication to excellence. We look forward to the opportunity to work with you in achieving your goals.

Stihl Inc

Virginia Beach-based STIHL Inc., produces a full line of high-quality, handheld outdoor power equipment including blowers, trimmers, brushcutters, and multi-task tools, as well as the number one selling brand of chainsaws worldwide. STIHL Inc. manufactures over 260 model variations of handheld outdoor power equipment for sale in the U.S. and around the world.