Australia’s largest manufacturer and wholesale distributor of replacement agricultural tractor parts has recently purchased a facility for its main US distribution centre at Pine Drive in Dandridge. Source: Standard Banner
Bare-Co is a family-owned and operated business, established in 1944 by Roy Bare.
Mr Bare’s son Allan has been with the company since 1960 and now owns and operates the business with assistance from his son Evan, daughter Alison and many loyal long term staff members.
Being an engineer, tractor mechanic and Ferguson tractor dealer from way back, Allan is proud of the company’s success, using procedures that farm machinery dealers need and ignoring the bean counters.
The company operates 12 distribution centers covering Australia, New Zealand and the United States with a branch at Sacramento and the new major distribution centre in Dandridge.
Dandridge was chosen due to its ideal location for overnight freight to nearby states and second day delivery to most US agricultural states.
“We are excited about our partnership with the town of Dandridge, Jefferson County and the Economic Development Alliance, and are looking forward to an ever-growing base of operations in East Tennessee,” said a spokesperson for Bare.
BARE-Co does not sell directly to the public. All sales are delivered through a network of local farm machinery dealers who are in a position to provide local support.
Company policy is to stock every one of the 10,000 web site lines in every warehouse – which is unheard of in the spare parts business.
Scott Faulkenberry, Executive Director of the Economic Development Alliance, said: “The Bare-Co is an excellent example of the type of company that should be inherently attracted to our community based upon our proximity to the East Coast and excellent transportation infrastructure.
“The Bare-Co is a natural fit for both the company and the community, and we are thrilled to have them as the newest addition to our employment base.”
Melissa Peagler, Dandridge Town Administrator, added: “Dandridge is committed to working with reputable companies in order to bring positive and sustainable growth to our community.
“Bare Company is a perfect fit with their established family-owned business which provides quality products that make farming safer. We look forward to assisting them to make Dandridge their new home.”
Bare-Co is heavily engaged in farm safety – particularly tractor roll-over protection frames and PTO driveline safety guards. The Bare-Co patent safety guard allows the operator to release and refit the driveline guard in less than 30 seconds.
These guards, which are manufactured in the company’s Australian drive line factory, have been a huge success, with worldwide sales now in the millions. It is anticipated that assembly of these guards for the US market will transfer to Dandridge in the near future.
