With no small amount of sadness, we announce the closing of R.N. Johnson, Inc., after 84 years in business. After losing our John Deere contract on January 7th of this year, we exhausted every possible means to secure new lines and financing to allow our continued operations. It became apparent that these efforts would not bear fruit within the time frame necessary to remain a viable business. In the end, the decision to close was made to provide our employees a month's advance notice, allowing them time to secure new employment. The next month will allow us to finish all service work in progress. The decision was also made to ensure that upon the closure of our business, we would have sufficient assets to allow us to pay off all our creditors, and not close our doors owing our many loyal and patient suppliers any money. Lastly, over the next month we will be able to refer our many loyal customers to other equipment sales and service businesses best able to satisfy their future needs.Our last day of business will be Thursday, March 28, 2013. Until closing, we will run a store-wide inventory clearance sale of 25% off all in-stock parts and merchandise. As the month progresses, we will increase the discount as needed to liquidate as much inventory as possible. New and used machinery is not included, nor is service work in our shop. We have scheduled a liquidation auction for Saturday, April 20th, from 9:00 am until everything is sold. The auction is being run by Reginald Lussier, Lussier Auction Service, Lyndonville, VT. The auction will include our John Deere Museum collection and all John Deere memorabilia, parts library, tech manuals, operator manuals and special tools. After 84 years as a John Deere dealer, we have antique John Deere signs, posters, literature, sales manuals, price books, parts books and manuals and many other collectibles spanning the 2 Cylinder era. Also in the auction will be the balance of our equipment inventory, all vehicles, forklifts, shop tools, hand tools, power tools and supplies, waste oil furnaces, hoists, lifts, presses, welders, compressors and the like. The sale of our real estate will be handled by Cindy Westover, Galloway Real Estate, Walpole, NH. At a date to be announced, after the auction we will hold a giant yard sale to liquidate unsold parts, pieces and merchandise still on hand. All sales between now and our final closing will be by cash, check or credit card.
I thank God for my wonderful and loyal employees who have been my friends and allies through thick and thin. I thank God our many customers who have made this a rewarding and fulfilling business to be in. I thank God for giving me, my family and my employees the faith, grace, courage, strength and hope to make this decision and move forward to the next chapter in our lives, according to His Holy will. I am confident He will provide all that we need and will continue to guide and protect us in whatever we do.
May God bless you always,
Alan W. Johnson
