Johnson Tractor Honored as Publication's Dealership of the Year

By CnAgri2012-07-23 19:31:40 Print

A Wisconsin-based Case IH store has been named Farm Equipment Magazine's 2012 Farm Equipment Dealership of the Year. Johnson Tractor Inc. in Janesville has been chosen as this year's top dealership in the over $50 million in annual revenue category. The company, which also has a location in Rochelle, Illinois, is owned by two brothers, Leo and Eric Johnson.

The publication says the Johnson brothers don't consider themselves 'numbers-freaks,' but they do keep an eye on total revenue, net income and cash availability when running their enterprise.

"We don't get concerned if one department is losing a little if the others are okay, as long as there's adequate return," Leo Johnson said.

Eric adds that while they watch their cash closely, they aren't afraid to go and buy inventory, because too much cash 'doesn't do the business any good either.'

The current Johnson Tractor was founded in 1980 when Leo bought out his dad's partner. They currently have 68 employees and sell Kinze, Kubota, Geringhoff, Kuhn Krause, Grasshopper, Exmark and Simplicity equipment, in addition to Case IH.

Last year, the company brought in over $85 million in total revenue. They also remodeled a 10-year-old trucking terminal and repair shop to launch a used equipment outlet store in Juda.

Leo says other expansion opportunities may be on the horizon. He foresees the possibility of adding one or two other stores in the future. They also have plans to fully remodel the Janesville location.