Bye, Bye Branson???

[Infinite Wisdom]

Will it take a year or two for TYM to determine the fate of the Branson tractor line?

If TYM mainly bought Branson for the tractor engine production, it might be easy enough for them to retire the Branson brand. I hate to say it but I don't think the market would miss Branson. There are still too many CUT tractor brands in my opinion.

I'd be even more hesitant to buy a Branson now until we know if the line will exist going forward.

 

[DavesTractor]

I've been in touch with Branson and TYM, and this all looks good. We will have a corporate owner that is excited about tractors. Branson will remain as a brand and TYM will start using the Kukje/Cummins engine instead of the very good but very expensive Yanmar. For over 5 years there has been rumors of Branson being up for sale, and I think they were true as DK Steel wanted to rid themselves of that part of their company. Ironically, Branson has been profitable in the USA for several years now. Like all brands, 2008-2010 was terrible for compact tractors as it follows the housing market somewhat, but since then it has been good and better and better.

 

[dickfoster]

I've been in touch with Branson and TYM, and this all looks good. We will have a corporate owner that is excited about tractors. Branson will remain as a brand and TYM will start using the Kukje/Cummins engine instead of the very good but very expensive Yanmar. For over 5 years there has been rumors of Branson being up for sale, and I think they were true as DK Steel wanted to rid themselves of that part of their company. Ironically, Branson has been profitable in the USA for several years now. Like all brands, 2008-2010 was terrible for compact tractors as it follows the housing market somewhat, but since then it has been good and better and better.

While this may all be true, Dave the trouble is MBA types only have 90 day vision. Beyond the next quarter, they and the traders on the street (traders not investors) are all pretty much blind as bats. It's all about how much can I make right now and never mind tomorrow or anyone else. As Washington is tucked snuggly in the back pocket of the street, that also compounds problems for true business men and the rest of us. That is exactly how the 2008 debacle came about. What's worse it has happened before and will happen again and yet again, repeating ad infinitum until everyone wises up and institutes real change by breaking this endless cycle. Or else we all end up squatting in a mud puddle wondering where the next meal is coming from. History has a tendency to repeat. Wanna see the future? Simple, just look to the past.

 

[DavesTractor]

Dick, I have some pretty good connections in parts of the tractor world. It could be that things change or they do not have a proper understanding, but with that disclaimer I have a high level of confidence and am glad that this will finally get sorted out. It's been years in the making. The goal I think is to get the company set up for an IPO. I am no expert in this field of company buyouts and IPO's. I am just going by what my connections are telling me. None of them are fleeing Branson looking for jobs elsewhere, and for TYM this is a totally good thing. TYM pays a ton for each Yanmar engine, and that makes it very hard for them to be competitive with companies that make their own engines.

 

[dickfoster]

Dick, I have some pretty good connections in parts of the tractor world. It could be that things change or they do not have a proper understanding, but with that disclaimer I have a high level of confidence and am glad that this will finally get sorted out. It's been years in the making. The goal I think is to get the company set up for an IPO. I am no expert in this field of company buyouts and IPO's. I am just going by what my connections are telling me. None of them are fleeing Branson looking for jobs elsewhere, and for TYM this is a totally good thing. TYM pays a ton for each Yanmar engine, and that makes it very hard for them to be competitive with companies that make their own engines.

You might want to give that IPO thing another think. That is unless your plan is to cash in then walk away and go fishing or something. Been there done that. Running a public company is no piece of cake. You think you have bosses now, just wait till everyone is your boss including lots of gubberment bureaucrats, plus a bunch of knot heads on the street, plus the financial press etc. etc. etc. LOL Yes I know you already have the gubberment types now but there are even more of those, the ones you have now plus some more. While the grass may look greener you might find the taste sour and bitter. You'll feel like the world is crawling up your backside with microscopes looking for the slightest opportunity to file a lawsuit no matter how honest you are or how well intentioned your actions. That has a chilling effect on your stock price while the shorts rip you a new one. Nothing is free and there are no free lunches to be had. An IPO is no easy sell and it's a very tough row to hoe. It may be easier and more profitable to sell your business to someone who is already public then walk away counting your money. Consider yourself warned.

 

[DavesTractor]

Dick, make sure you understand that I have nothing to do with the IPO thing, and it has nothing to do with my company. I'm just telling you a little of what I have heard. As far as IPO's, I'm totally ignorant of how they work, nor do I really care to learn. My business is not for sale.

 

[dickfoster]

Dick, make sure you understand that I have nothing to do with the IPO thing, and it has nothing to do with my company. I'm just telling you a little of what I have heard. As far as IPO's, I'm totally ignorant of how they work, nor do I really care to learn. My business is not for sale.

Oh good, I was starting to worry. I guess you're safe from the boogeyman then.

 

[brasco426]

I'm sure Branson is a good brand heck I was looking at one and liked it a lot. What swayed me away atleast around here was dealer support. One guy selling 80 or so tractors a year and the same guy maybe one more fixing and repairing spooked me off. This same dealer sold before and the new owner ran the business in the ground, original owner bought it back and has been ok since. One guy for most of my state is just not enough presence to get me past the I'm interested phase. Too bad it was a nice tractor for the money.

 

[Omega Woods]

I am one of those MBA types (or very soon will be), TYM is a much better owner for Kukje than Dongkuk from a continuity perspective. Also, TYM isn't the only company with money on the table. To buy a (now) profitable tractor business to simply cut out its engine factory and kill the rest of the brand doesn't make sense from a business perspective. That doesn't mean it won't happen but it doesn't make business sense.

My 2 cents.

 

[Aquamoose]

I can't see Branson being a sub-par company because they're making quality tractors, especially the engines. I'd like to think that they're comparable to the 80's Japanese cars that Americans looked down upon but now have a strong reputation. In my opinion, there are some folks that are ok with spending $5,000 extra just for the Kubota & John Deere logos while missing out on some options.