O’Connors has expanded its mega dealership footprint even further with the purchase of the CIH Echuca yard to take its combined number of sales outlets to 16
Case IH dealer O’Connors is ending 2022 on a high note, announcing its expansion into Echuca in northern Victoria with the purchase of the busy Echuca CIH yard.
O’Connors flagged its intentions of strengthening its reach with an expansion into Central and Western Victoria with the purchase of the Agrimac yards in Ballarat and St Arnaud in 2021 taking the O’Connors footprint from ten to twelve locations to cement its place as the largest Case IH dealership in Australia.
Coming off a run of good years in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 when O’Connors won the Case IH Dealer of the Year award, the dealership already had yards across three states, in Birchip, Warracknabeal, Horsham, Shepparton, Bordertown, Corowa, West Wyalong, Condobolin, Forbes and Grenfell.
While many dealerships have been distracted by a host of issues in 2022, not so O’Connors as this latest deal comes on the back of the company springing into action in March this year to acquire the full suite of Sunrise Ag yards in Swan Hill and Ouyen along with the Case IH broadacre component of the Mildura VIC outlet. Adding three further sales and service outlets.
At the time O’Connors was already the biggest Case IH dealer in Australia and New Zealand with 15 yards and this latest acquisition takes the tally to 16 retail dealerships.
O’Connors Chief Executive Officer, Gareth Webb, said the acquisition of Echuca CIH helped reinforce the company’s Victorian presence and helped to back up its commitment to be within easy reach of its customers whenever needed.
“The continued growth of our network has flow-on benefits to all of our customers, wherever they are across the network, as it helps with the likes of increasing available stock levels and boosting parts availability,” Gareth said.
“Of course, there are challenges currently for our industry, particularly here on the east coast, and it’s during these times you need to know you’ve got a dealer behind you who is financially strong with an equally-robust support structure when and where you need it.”
Pete McCann, General Manager for Case IH Australia and New Zealand, said the announcement continued to bolster the O’Connors and Case IH partnership.
“Echuca CIH has been a family-owned business serving the area for more than 30 years and I congratulate the Stephenson family – Jan, Murray and Darren – on such a successful operation over such a long period of time,” Pete McCann said.
“O’Connors, also a family-owned and operated business, will continue to serve the customers of this area to the highest standard and this latest acquisition further secures the integrity of the Case IH network across such an important agricultural area of Australia,” Pete McCann added.
Gareth Webb from O’Connors said the deal was expected to be finalised in February 2023 and they looked forward to working with existing, and new customers in the region.
“With 58 years of experience in agricultural machinery, and staff with the highest commitment to service and exceptional knowledge of our products and the industry, we’re looking forward to working with Case IH customers in this new area and delivering what they require to keep their machinery and businesses running at peak efficiency,” Gareth added.
“We can also assure them the transition period will be a smooth one and we’re excited for what lies ahead. We’re family-owned, locally operated and we employ local people, and we welcome the opportunity to become part of the Echuca community,” Gareth concluded.
