The management of US drilling and cultivation equipment manufacturer Great Plains Manufacturing has entered into an agreement to sell the business to Japanese tractor, turf machinery and construction equipment giant Kubota Corporation, it was announced today (Friday 13 May).


Great Plains

Great Plains, which purchased British cultivator/drill maker Simba back in April 2010, alrady has a relationship with Kubota in North America as a supplier through its Land Pride arm of Kubota-branded compact tractor equipment. The purchase will include all five Great Plains divisions with multiple facilities in Kansas and the Sleaford, Lincs, manufacturing plant which was acquired through Great Plains’ purchase of Simba. The deal means there will essentially be three independent Kubota-owned businesses in the UK, at Kubota HQ in Thame, at Kverneland’s premises at St Helens, Merseyside, and at Great Plains at Sleaford.

“Once final, this acquisition is going to lead to great advancements for both businesses without being a significant change for our people,” said Todd Stucke, senior vice president of sales, marketing and product support for Kubota in North America.

“We intend to respect the distinctiveness of the brands, trademarks and operational strengths. Doing so will allow employees, dealers and customers to do business with the same great companies they have come to know and trust.”

Roy Applequist, Great Plains’ founder and chairman will remain on the leadership team to help guide the operations and facilitate a seamless transition.

“My plan is to play a significant role in helping Great Plains become a vital part of the Kubota family,” said Applequist.

“Great Plains’ leadership position in the agricultural implement business has been earned by striving to do our best in satisfying our customers’ needs, and we are confident that teaming up with Kubota will allow us to continue to uphold this tradition.”

The partnership further builds on Kubota’s presence in Kansas where the company recently announced the establishment of its North American distribution centre in Edgerton, Kansas, which serves as the primary distribution hub for Kubota parts and whole goods distribution across the US and Canada.

Great Plains Manufacturing was founded in 1976 by Roy Applequist and employs over 1,400 people at eight Kansas locations and in Sleaford. It encompasses five divisions: Great Plains Ag, which manufactures seedbed preparation, nutrient application, and seed placement equipment; Land Pride, which manufactures grounds maintenance tools such as mowers, tillers, rotary cutters, and soil-working equipment; Great Plains International, which sells the company’s products worldwide; Great Plains Trucking, which operates a US-wide fleet of flatbed trucks; and Great Plains Acceptance Corporation, which finances the company’s products.