The joint boards of the SouthWestern Association and Canada West Equipment Dealers Association have voted to merge and form the new Western Equipment Dealers Association.
Members will be voting in June and July to approve the merger.
The decision to merge was prompted by the amount of dealer consolidation happening in the industry, according to Jeff Flora, CEO of the SouthWestern Association.
These new larger dealerships require a higher level of service and advocacy, he says.
"The larger we are, the larger the voice we’re going to have and the more influence we’ll be able to have and again with the financial backing we have by the combined two associations the more services that we’re going to be able to provide our dealers."
The new Western Equipment Dealers Association will continue to be an affiliate of the North American Equipment Dealers Association.
Flora says they hope this will be first step in continued consolidation at the association level.
The merger is expected to be effective Sept. 1, 2014.
Agricultural Manufacturers of Canada