The Times they are a changing.......

HayDR · Jan 27, 2004

Woods/Tisco now owned by Genstar with the smell of green all over Genstar. Bush Hog was left at the alter when Genstar raided Woods before them. BH needing more Zero Turn mower production just canceled that new plant planned to produce those mowers, others wonder if BH will make the needed production in Oregon, IL.
KUKJE now owing Branson USA and the Italians are working with the Koreans in producing implements in Korea.
JD and Howard no more after 20 years of joint business. Sicma is now doing the JD production. Does this mean a limited supply of RT10 tillers?
One last question for First Choice: "Where are the dirtworking implements promised 2 years ago? Posters were excited to see the new implements that were announced by Sweet Tractors to be available March 2002. I guess only the Nomad knows the answer to this question.

rockyridgefarm · Jan 27, 2004

So who got Ferguson?

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

JimMc · Jan 27, 2004

I believe Reggie Ferguson made a bid but failed to get the name

nomad · Jan 27, 2004

( One last question for First Choice: "Where are the dirtworking implements promised 2 years ago? Posters were excited to see the new implements that were announced by Sweet Tractors to be available March 2002. I guess only the Nomad knows the answer to this question.)

Nomad knows only where his $1541 of $8000 is. Where are those dirtworking implements now? Are they TOO now about to be called as NC-Garner-GRIZZLIES? You go and enlighten people on TBN.

sweettractors · Jan 27, 2004

Where are the dirtworking implements promised 2 years ago? 

Mark are you trying to start, yet, another argument? Were you not advised a few weeks ago, that it was not a productive thing to do on the forum?--FYI 2 years ago--We were still purchasing high quality First Choice dirtworking implements(Grader Blades-Landscape Rakes-Box Blades-Core Aerators, etc) made by Midwest--Last word I had was that FC may make dirtworking "in house" after recently buying the lager facility in NC--Since you worked for First Choice (BuySmart) for quite sometime in the beginning and actually encouraged me to get in on the real deal with the high quality First Choice implements, I assumed you knew all the answers or at least who to call to get the answer to that question??--Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *New and Refurbished Used Equipment*

Junkman · Jan 27, 2004

Jim..... when are you going to roll out the "top & tilt" unit for TBN members to see? I can't make it to Louisville in February, so are you going to keep us in suspense till then or are you going to be posting pictures here? Also, Inspector 507 announced that you have a three point hitch modification for the sub compact tractors to help with the low lift problem. When will we hear more about this also?? thanks

CCI. Sweet Tractor, & Nomad:

I don't understand what is in play with the postings, so could you please fill in the rest of us as to what the game is, the rules, and in whose court the ball is in play??? Inquiring minds need to know..... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

HayDR · Jan 27, 2004

Ken,
With the US $ being at an all time low vs the Euro and steel prices in Italy are at an all time high, how much will FC have to raise their prices? Have you seen the FC email speaking of drastic price increases? I hear that JD locked in all their 2004 production from Sicma. Is the FC production I-Match compatable like JD's Sicma production is?

sweettractors · Jan 28, 2004

Have you seen the FC email speaking of drastic price increases? 

Hello--We were aware of coming price increases from all vendors because of the lower dollar to Euro exchange rate and higher steel prices. For that reason, we prebought approx. $250,000 in First Choice equipment before this actually happened. We have about 1/2 of it delivered and the other containers are due in about 2-3 weeks--Our prices should stay the same as last year on most new products that we sell--However--I had to bite the bullit and make a timley decision for my customers benefit--I do realize that most dealers did not do as we did and thier customers are going to be in for sticker shock this spring---Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *New and Refurbished Used Equipment*

JimMc · Jan 28, 2004

Ken, glad to see at least a few dealers able to lock in their pricing. This dollar vs euro craziness is really playing havoc on many things other than implements. I agree with you, not only are a lot of consumers going to be in sticker shock, a lot of retailers planning on buying this spring will be in sticker shock as well, particularly those buying goods from overseas. In many cases, it will be a double whammy as many european companies saddled with the overhead and red tape of being part of the EU have announced price increases. I know of a few importers facing 48% higher wholesale prices due to the combination of price increases from the manufacturer and the lopsided exchange rate.

On the plus side, this has made American manufactured goods a bargain in comparison. Maybe some jobs and opportunities will come back from across the pond. There are a few companies that have been waiting for just such an occasion.