Arends Bros. LLC of Melvin, Ill. and Hogan Walker, LLC of Dwight announced the merger of their two companies into one new company named Arends Hogan Walker. The merger combines the businesses of two long-time John Deere dealers into a venture that includes 10 locations throughout east-central and northeastern Illinois.
Both companies have served the ag community for decades and have successful resumes independent of each other. Combined as one, they believe they are poised to continue serving the industry in bigger and better ways. The new AHW has positioned itself as providing ‘tomorrow’s solutions today.’
Addressing the timing of the merger, Sean Hogan of Hogan Walker said, “With the new technology coming down the John Deere pipeline, the timing of our merger is right. By doing this now, we will be a bigger and better resourced dealer.”
Chad Braden of Arends Bros. said, “combining the two businesses will allow us to be a greater source of new and used equipment. We’ll have a bigger number of products. And, we’ll be able to do things that not many dealers can do today.”
Company histories
The Arends Family has served the agricultural community as a John Deere dealer for over 75 years. In the fall of 1932, Henry Arends, with his sons Roy and Walt, acquired the franchise selling John Deere agricultural equipment in Melvin.
One of their first sales that fall was a John Deere model “D” tractor with steel wheels and a Model “C” 2-bottom plow. After a successful first two years, Henry Arends moved the business from the back of a grain elevator to a large brick-front building, where the dealership thrived for the next 43 years.
Hogan Walker LLC has locations serving northeastern Illinois. Hogan Implement Company, based in Dwight, and Walker Sales, Inc., based in Morris, merged in December of 1997 to form Hogan Walker LLC.
Servicing agriculture, commercial and consumer equipment customers, Hogan Walker also shared a dedication to maintaining ethical business practices and an ongoing commitment to providing the very best in customer service. With this commitment Hogan Walker flourished and grew into operating six dealerships in the state of Illinois — in Elburn, Somonauk, Morris, Dwight, Manteno and Watseka.
‘Only the signs will change’
AHW will blend aspects of both companies to form a multi-faceted approach to servicing their customers. All AHW facilities are clean and modern, allowing service personnel to work quickly and efficiently. Their continuing goal is to keep John Deere equipment working at peak performance.
The experienced staff and crew at all AHW locations will continue to be the new company’s greatest asset.
The approximately 300 employees have, on average, more than 15 years experience in the farm machinery business and are leading experts in their chosen fields. Several key service personnel are certified as John Deere master technicians, and nearly all of the rest are John Deere certified in hydraulics, electrical diagnostics or air conditioning.
Additionally, the new AHW will have a commitment to the future that will include the ability to sell and service advancing technical products that are key to increasing the productivity of successful farming.
To meet these special demands of the upgraded technology, AHW employs and will add personnel who are specially trained in the sales and service of these products.
The commitment to excellence in its’ workforce, coupled with a broadened product line and additional investments in the company’s infrastructure, will allow AHW to provide superior service to all current and future customers.
“Our customers really won’t see anything different in how we operate, except for our new signs” said Braden. “We will have the same places, same faces and even the same phone numbers at all of our locations. In our opinion, the extensive experience of the Arends Brothers staff and the Hogan Walker staff will give us greater ability to take care of all the needs our customers have with their equipment.”
Sean Hogan continued that thought, saying, “There will be no difference in our commitment to service at any location. In fact, we will have more choices in equipment, parts and service. And this merger will allow us to build upon our current strengths so that going forward we are an even better company.”
The New AHW
The merger will result in a total of 10 locations from I-70 in Coles County north all the way to the Wisconsin State line.
Visit www.arendshoganwalker.com for more information.
