The North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA) and Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) have agreed to merge. The combined body will operate from January 2027 under the name Associated Equipment Dealers (AED) and serve equipment dealers and distributors across the United States and Canada.

The two groups say the merger will give dealers a stronger voice with policymakers and manufacturers, and will keep training, workforce development, dealer-manufacturer relations, industry research and conferences among its services. Dealers, they note, face changing markets, labour shortages, new technology and shifting customer expectations.

"This merger is about putting dealers first and positioning our industry for the future," said Steve Hunt, chairman of the NAEDA board and president of H&R Agri-Power. Marshall Anderson, chairman of the AED board and executive vice president of RDO Equipment Co., said bringing the two together would align their efforts and strengthen their advocacy.

Leadership teams and staff of both associations will work together over the coming months to integrate programmes and services before the January 2027 date.

Photo: Michael Trolove / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Source: Farms.com