FES Signs Letter of Intent with C&B Operations

After 53 years of service to Northeast Montana, Farm Equipment Sales has announced that a letter of intent to sell has been signed with C&B Operations, LLC, headquartered in Gettysburg, S.D.

In a press release, FES President and CEO Marc Swanson relayed comments made to employees stating, “After 53 years, we are excited to announce our alliance with C&B Operations, one of the nation’s largest and most successful John Deere dealer organizations. This partnership will ensure that all of our customers, employees, and communities have the continued support they deserve in sales, parts, and service by maintaining the existing relationships we’ve built.”

Established in 1964 in Glasgow, FES has been a community staple since its founding days. Sarah Swanson, General Manager of FES, stated via press release that, “With each new generation, Farm Equipment Sales continues to strive to lead the eastern Montana ag community through the changes faced by our industry, and today’s ever-changing technological, capital, and agronomic changes are no different.” She added that, “We truly believe that the best long-term solution is to join the C&B Operations organization where they embody the same philosophies of integrity, teamwork, and quality that have guided FES for the past 53 years.”

For its part C&B Operations, LLC owns and operates 25 John Deere dealerships in South Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. It’s Montana dealerships are located in Billings, Miles City, and Glendive. C&B began in 1988 when Dan Cronin and Rod Burwell purchased the John Deere dealership in Gettysburg, S.D. Matt Cronin, President and CEO of C&B Operations, LLC said via press release, “We are thrilled to have the Farm Equipment Sales organization join our team and we want our customers in Glasgow, Plentywood, Culbertson, and Circle, to know that we are solid, stable, and still John Deere!”

Sarah Swanson also commented that the transition in ownership is likely to occur in early 2018.