Bye, Bye Branson???

[Jim Timber]

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.

Smaller Branson with less power and options was for sale locally at a dealer for 1K more than I paid for my green paint scheme.

 

[pete-mi]

This buy out gives me the General Motors feeling in some ways. A good way not bad. Two brands with one parent company and some shared components. The way it sounds the engine would be the most shared component.

 

[Infinite Wisdom]

I hope TYM re-doubles efforts to build a larger, healthier, better stocked Branson dealer network.

OR, could future Branson tractors end up being re-badged TYM machines with the only changes being a Branson diesel, Branson paint, and Branson label? Is there a need for one company to build two different tractor platforms? Does it make economic sense?

If they do switch Branson to the TYM platform I hope they provide reasonable parts support to the current REAL Branson line of tractors for awhile.

 

[AxleHub]

I find the idea of TYM and Branson combined to be a strange choice at this point.

Let me explain.

1. I've never seen a Branson tractor in a 10 year period of going to the Minnesita State Fair. I've also never seen a TYM except as a Cabelas.

2. In western WI or my travels in parts of central WI or eastern MN I've never seen a TYM dealer (but numerous Cabela dealers) . . never seen a Branson dealer.

3. TYM has now lost their largest dealer network (Cabelas) and all the tractor volume that Cabelas bought . . which was sizable during the period (at least for a company the size of TYM).

4. Branson didn't need a better tractor . . it desperately needed a far far better dealer nerwork in size and ability.

5. TYM apparently didn't need a better tractor either . . it needed volume and a far bigger dealer network.

6. Having a Yanmar engine which is really good, proven, and recognized did not in my opinion prevent TYM from competing on price or sales . . but having a very limited dealer network did imo.

My point is . . . TYM's money and time is now tied up with what to do with Branson . . instead if what to do to get a lot more dealers.

And while neither product is well sold . . . they are now distracted from focusing on getting dealers at Exactly the time they lose their biggest dealer netwirk and sales volne drop (Cabelas). Cabelas may nit gave been a success die Cabelas . . but it syee was a big tempirary boost for TYM in the U.S. market.

Annnnnnnd . . . what shall TYM do with some of Branson's little lawn and garden dealers. Will they need to discontinue any if those dealers that don't compare to the TYM dealer qualifications?

In my opinion TYM should have spent its time, money, and focus on developing and creating a dealer network.

 

[Btown]

I find the idea of TYM and Branson combined to be a strange choice at this point. Let me explain. 1. I've never seen a Branson tractor in a 10 year period of going to the Minnesita State Fair. I've also never seen a TYM except as a Cabelas. 2. In western WI or my travels in parts of central WI or eastern MN I've never seen a TYM dealer (but numerous Cabela dealers) . . never seen a Branson dealer. 3. TYM has now lost their largest dealer network (Cabelas) and all the tractor volume that Cabelas bought . . which was sizable during the period (at least for a company the size of TYM). 4. Branson didn't need a better tractor . . it desperately needed a far far better dealer nerwork in size and ability. 5. TYM apparently didn't need a better tractor either . . it needed volume and a far bigger dealer network. 6. Having a Yanmar engine which is really good, proven, and recognized did not in my opinion prevent TYM from competing on price or sales . . but having a very limited dealer network did imo. My point is . . . TYM's money and time is now tied up with what to do with Branson . . instead if what to do to get a lot more dealers. And while neither product is well sold . . . they are now distracted from focusing on getting dealers at Exactly the time they lose their biggest dealer netwirk and sales volne drop (Cabelas). Cabelas may nit gave been a success die Cabelas . . but it syee was a big tempirary boost for TYM in the U.S. market. Annnnnnnd . . . what shall TYM do with some of Branson's little lawn and garden dealers. Will they need to discontinue any if those dealers that don't compare to the TYM dealer qualifications? In my opinion TYM should have spent its time, money, and focus on developing and creating a dealer network.

TYM is their own largest dealer, then followed by Mahindra, then Cabela's. Cabela's had only a few select stores selling them. The mahindra TYM's used to be the 10 series and now the 2500 series. The 2500 series uses a mahindra motor. Not sure on how many tractors Cabela's sold, but it was not enough for them to continue. It appears to be cheaper to buy Branson then to design and build engines. Who knows what will happen.

 

[brasco426]

Correct if you've seen a Mahindra 2500 series you've seen a TYM tractor.

 

[GManBart]

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.

I'm not sure how you could possibly have enough information to know whether it makes business sense or not.

TYM was paying for Yanmar engines, which are great, but expensive. They seem to have decided it was at the point where they either needed to come up with their own engine design, or buy one already in existence. Buying Branson and keeping only the engine portion might have been cheaper than starting from scratch on their own engine. They can keep the dealers that were moving product, gain a few customers, and get rid of a competitor at the same time.

I'm not saying it definitely makes business sense, but I'm saying it might and none of us likely has enough information to know for sure.

 

[Infinite Wisdom]

I wonder how many Branson tractors are sold in the USA each year? Is the USA Branson's primary market or are they really a major player elsewhere in the world?

Does Branson have a large, modern Korea factory that is better suited to tractor production than TYM's factory? Does TYM have underutilized factory production capability that can easily absorb the current Branson production volume?

The more I think about this the more I'm persuaded that there is no need for TWO distinct tractor platforms. I'll predict that TYM will eventually move to one common platform for BOTH brands and will manage the two brands via rebadging and minor trim and accessory details. One of the platforms will probably go away.

Will TYM prefer to stick with what they know, (their current platform with the change to the Branson "Cummins" engine), or will they commit/transfer future TYM models to the current Branson platform ?

Changes are coming!

 

[carmedic310]

That's the rumor. TYM needs to be able to build their own engines. Currently they are buying the very fine Yanmar engines, but they are super expensive. Kukje builds the Cummins A series, which they also put in their tractors less the Cummins badge. TYM needs this. If this goes through, it is my understanding that TYM will keep Branson as an independent brand. It ought to be a win/win.

TYM also uses Kubota,and Cat engines as well

 

[Helitech]

Don't forget that Kukje builds a large number of John Deere tractors for the Asian market.