MONROE TOWNSHIP-Bortnick Tractor Sales Inc. partners have purchased the Cortland Tractor Co. in Cortland and will officials take over Nov. 21, said Dana Harju of BTS. The owners of both farm equipment businesses completed the sale deal on Nov. 7, Harju said.
Cortland Tractor Co. owners, Larry Longberry and Fred Shoyhada plan to retire after being partners for many decads. Longberry said he and Shoyhada together have 90 years total full time in the dealership handling New Holland brand farm equipment and other outdoor lawn, farm, and garden supplies.
"Fred's been in the business 48 years and I've been in it 42 years. We are mailing a letter to our many customers as to the sale. We are happy as the new owners will be keeping our same staff here. It's these people and our customers who have made us successful," said Longberry. "It's the best of both worlds."
Harju said that the Cortland Tractor partners are retiring, but will be assisting him and his partners, David Holdson and Michael Brewster in the transistion.
"At Bortnick we will continue to handle both New Holland and the Kubota line equipment. We've been working with Lary and Fred to purchase their business. They were very good to work with. The merger will help ;us in our buying power, We've had a great year here at Bortnick Tractor in Monroe. Crop prices are up and milk prices up too for farmers," Harju said.
He said they plan on adding a couple employees, one at Bortnick's began this week in the service/maintenance department. Bortnick Tractor Sales Inc. has been at the Monroe Township location since 1985, although the original company started in 1954.
"We have 11 employees here at Bortnick Tractor and about the same number in Cortland. I will probably spend part of my time here in Monroe and in our Cortland store now," Harju said.
He did not indicate plans to renaming Cortland Tractor with the acquisition at this time. Bortnick Tracto Sales Inc. also carries several other product lines for the agriculture industry including Kinsey planters.