This feature is the first in a series profiling associations connected to the heavy equipment industry. These important associations are the collective voice of the people who manufacture, buy, sell, rent, and finance equipment, ensuring they have the resources they need and that their voice is heard.
Association Snapshot
Name: North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA)
Year Founded: 1900, originally as National Federation of Retail Implement & Vehicle Dealers’ Association
HQ: Fenton, MO southwest of St. Louis
Members: Equipment dealers, including agricultural, construction, outdoor power and large property equipment dealers
Membership Size: Approximately 5,000 equipment dealers in U.S. and Canada
Association Mission
NAEDA’s motto is “Help Dealers Succeed.” To reach this broad goal, the association has defined a multi-part purpose:
- Promote the general welfare of retail agricultural, construction, outdoor power, and large property equipment dealers in the United States and Canada
- Aid in the commercial and professional advancement of dealers-members
- Collect, compile and disseminate information and data of value or interest to its members
- Aid and protect its members collectively in any and all of their proper business relations
- Foster cooperation and fair practices between manufacturers, distributors, retail dealers, and customers
- Encourage and support equitable practices and high business standards within the industry
- Cooperate with other trade groups and organizations in matters of mutual interest and concern
- Encourage and promote legislative activities
- Do all things properly within the scope of an association of retail equipment dealers
NAEDA Goals in 2014
In an interview with Joseph Dykes, Director of Member Services at NAEDA, Tuffwerx asked how the association is fulfilling its purpose in 2014. First, Mr. Dykes said NAEDA is continuing to facilitate industry/manufacturer relations. Annual meetings are held with the manufacturers of the products dealers represent, to discuss areas of concern and to advocate on behalf of dealers. NAEDA has more than a century of experience facilitating dealer relations with manufacturers. When the association was founded in 1900, it was the result of dealers protesting the way manufacturers were marketing their harvesting equipment!
Second, NAEDA has conducted two important industry surveys in 2014. This year’s NAEDA Dealer Manufacturer Relations Survey report was released exclusively to NAEDA members in March 2014, containing actionable data about the relationship between dealers and their suppliers. Dealers use the survey results to evaluate potential product lines and company partnerships, and to conduct competitive comparisons among lines they already carry.
Another survey in the works this year is the NAEDA Compensation and Benefits Survey. Results will be compiled and published for members in fall 2014. NAEDA says this is the most comprehensive Compensation and Benefits Survey to date, incorporating new elements that account for changes in dealership staff positions and new health care laws.
The third way NAEDA is fulfilling its mission in 2014 is by coordinating the annual Legislative Fly-In in Washington D.C. The 2014 program was held over two days in April and allowed dealers to meet with legislators to discuss key issues. Attendees also participated in panel and roundtable discussions on topics relating to equipment and dealers.
Mr. Dykes shared the organization’s current legislative focus with Tuffwerx: “Equipment depreciation that changes the IRS schedule from 7 years to 5 years and maintains the bonus and Section 179 deductions for equipment purchases. NAEDA is actively involved in lobbying for these issues and has asked dealers to make calls and visits to their congressional members asking for their support.”
Structure and Member Benefits
NAEDA is affiliated with 15 state, regional and provincial associations. In fact, state and regional dealer associations existed before NAEDA was founded, but the groups understood their interests would be better represented by a national association.
Today, each state, regional or provincial association acts as an autonomous unit within the area it serves. Dealer members become a part of NAEDA by joining the affiliate in their area. Access NAEDA’s map of affiliates here.
NAEDA members benefit from the collective resources, partnerships and networking power behind this large association. Annual meetings with manufacturers, Legislative Fly-In and the healthy government relations it fosters, plus regulatory, business and legal resources are only a few ways NAEDA provides incomparable support to dealer members.
Future of NAEDA
NAEDA is currently going through a significant restructuring. The goals of the organizational changes are to improve operational efficiency and enable improved responsiveness and relativeness to dealers.
Learn more at NAEDA.com.
NAEDA logo courtesy of NAEDA.com.