1. What were your expectations for
your dealership heading into 2013?
Our expectations were fairly high for
2013. With the addition of the Mahindra
Tractor brand in early 2012, we expected
our sales to be up in comparison to
previous years.
2. How has your dealership fared
in meeting those expectations in the
first half of 2013?
The first half of 2013 is coming in very
strong.YTD, we're having our best year
in company history. The year started a
little later than usual, and we were a little
nervous at the end of March. However,
April and May more than made up what
we were lacking in January, February and
March.
3. What are your expectations for
your dealership in the second half of
2013?
Our expectations remain high for the
balance of the year. Any time you add a
new (high dollar volume) product line,
you have to set your goals high enough to
recover the cost of taking on that product
line. If you don't, it's a losing game every
time.
4. What second-half strategies do
you plan to employ?
Our strategy for the first half of
the year was to focus primarily on the
outdoor power equipment part of our
business. Our strategy for the balance
of the year is to focus on Mahindra,
and building that product line. We're set
up to attend a couple of fairs and farm
machinery shows, and hope to see great
results!
— Jason Hicks, inside sales, parts,
and service manager
West Chester Lawn & Garden/
Moe's Outdoor Equipment & Supplies
Liberty Township, Ohio/
Springboro, Ohio
1. What were your expectations for
your dealership heading into 2013?
We prepared for the worst and hoped
for the best. We felt everything would
bounce back from 2012's perfect storm
of no snow and 130-year drought. March
was really slow, but helped customers
because we had several snows — one a
10-inch blast. This pushed back mower
sales until April. April-June have been
really strong.
2. How has your dealership fared
in meeting those expectations in the
first half of 2013?
Our sales volume is down slightly,
but with the adjustments in expenses we
made, we will be well ahead of 2012 and
even 2011.
3. What are your expectations for
your dealership in the second half of
2013?
It has continued to rain, and the grass
has continued to grow. We think it will be
a strong second half of 2013.
— Scott Muehlhauser, president
Scott's Power Equipment, Inc.
St. Louis and St. Louis Metro, Mo.
(4 locations)
OPE
OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT
JULY 2013
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