Titan Machinery Inc, a leading network of full-service agricultural and construction equipment stores throughout the United States and Europe and O’Connors, Australia’s largest Case IH dealership group, have mutually agreed to a share purchase offer from Titan Machinery further bolstering the Case IH dealer network in Australia.
Subject to customary closing conditions, it is expected that Titan, a U.S based Agricultural and Construction Company will, during the fourth quarter of calendar year 2023, close on the acquisition of O’Connors, which has 16 dealerships across NSW, Victoria and South Australia. The family-owned business began in Birchip in north-west Victoria in 1964 when JJ O’Connor purchased his first International Harvester dealership, expanding significantly to now include branches in Ballarat, Birchip, Bordertown, Condobolin, Corowa, Echuca, Forbes, Grenfell, Horsham, Mildura, Ouyen, Shepparton, St Arnaud, Swan Hill, Warracknabeal & West Wyalong.
O’Connors Chief Executive Officer, Gareth Webb, said the announcement continued to reinforce the company’s commitment to providing the best sales and support for customers across the network.
“Joining the Titan Group will further enhance the customer benefits that come with an expansive network, particularly in the areas of parts availability and technical support as well as product expertise and availability. Our customers and staff will have access to knowledge and support from the world’s largest Case IH dealer, bolstering the support already offered,” he said.
“The current O’Connors management team and employees will remain the same. It will be business as usual in our day-to-day operations and our customers remain our number one priority. We will continue to provide the high-quality sales and service support you’ve come to expect from your local O’Connors dealer,” Gareth said.
David Meyer Titan Machinery Inc Chairman and Chief Executive Officer said, “we are very impressed with the O’Connors Senior Management Team, led by CEO Gareth Webb, who have been operating the business exceptionally well over the last five years after succeeding the retiring major shareholders Dennis and Mark O’Connor. It’s the strong O’Connors team, along with their great track record of retailing and supporting the high horsepower Case IH product line up that makes this a very compelling acquisition. O’Connors has established itself as a respected leader in the region, earning a reputation for its deep expertise and employee and customer-centric focus.”
Aaron Bett, General Manager of Case IH Australia/New Zealand, welcomed the announcement and congratulated the professionalism of the O’Connors Executive team on securing such a significant development.
“O’Connors has a rich history in Australian agriculture and has built a significant business with an emphasis on the highest level of customer service and support. I’d like to recognise Mark and Dennis O’Connor who have continued to grow the dealer group into a robust and dynamic network that has attracted Titan Machinery to recognise the enormous opportunities in the Australian agriculture market,” Aaron said.
“Titan Machinery Inc, founded in 1980 and headquartered in West Fargo, ND, owns and operates a network of full service agricultural and construction equipment dealer locations in North America and Europe and will bring it’s more than four decades of experience and knowledge. This agreement can only enhance the stability and ongoing development of the business, which is an enormous positive for the whole of the Case IH dealer network, and we look forward to working with the Titan Machinery team.”