INDUSTRY NEWS John Deere and Honda Power Equipment enter business agreement
John Deere (Deere & Company) and Honda Power Equipment announced Sept. 20 a new sales and marketing agreement to sell Honda premium power products at participating John Deere dealerships in the United States. Initial shipments of Honda inventory to John Deere dealer- ships will begin on a rolling basis in 2012.
Under the terms of the agreement,
Honda's walk-behind mowers, generators, tillers, water pumps and snow blowers will be available for sale at participating John Deere dealerships. In addition, Deere said, it will no longer market John Deere- branded walk-behind mowers or walk-be- hind snow blowers in the United States, in any sales channel, after 2012.
"Honda power equipment has earned a
strong reputation for durability, quality and reliability — all which are important attributes to John Deere customers," said David Everitt, president of the Worldwide
Agricultural and Turf Division at Deere. "For homeowners, our premium John Deere lawn tractors will continue to lead the way at our dealerships but will be complemented with the strong line of Honda power equipment products." John Deere dealerships are independ-
ently owned, and the company said all active dealers will be offered the opportu- nity to sell the Honda product line during a sign-up period beginning in late 2011. Deere said it may also consider the agree- ment for Canadian dealers in the future. Honda power products will continue to
be available at Honda Power Equipment dealers, The Home Depot stores and na- tional rental outlets. "This new alliance with John Deere allows Honda Power Equipment to expand its reach by provid- ing products that meet the high-quality and reliability standards that John Deere customers have come to expect," said Scott Conner, vice president, Honda Power
Equipment. "Honda Power Equipment is focused on offering consumers the highest levels of customer service and satisfaction through our dealership network. By adding more sales and service outlets through John Deere dealerships, we can provide additional, convenient locations for existing and prospective consumers to purchase and maintain their Honda power products." Customers who want to purchase a
new Honda power product or service an existing product at a John Deere dealer- ship will be able to do so at participating Deere dealers after the dealer is added to the Honda sales network. Honda Power Equipment's online dealer locator, www.hondapowerequipment.com/dealer locator, will reflect these new locations as they become active and incorporate Honda inventory. Deere said the program could take through 2013 to be completely phased in.
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OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT www.outdoorpowerequipment.com
