TORRANCE, Calif. — Kubota Corporation, Osaka, Japan, parent company to Kubota U.S.A., Inc., announced May 13 it has entered into an agreement to purchase Great Plains Manufacturing Inc., based in Salina, Kansas.
Once final, the purchase will expand the company’s partnership with Land Pride and will include all five Great Plains divisions with multiple facilities in Kansas and a manufacturing plant in Sleaford, England. Since 2007, Kubota has worked closely with Land Pride to provide implements to Kubota dealers and customers across the U.S. and Canada.
According to Kubota Tractor Corporation, for the foreseeable future, all five Great Plains divisions will continue to operate as they have been, with their infrastructure intact.
“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. “We intend to respect the distinctiveness of the brands, trademarks and operational strengths.”
Transition
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.
Partnering with Applequist in overseeing and managing the transition is Linda Salem, president of Great Plains Manufacturing.
The partnership builds on Kubota’s presence in Kansas where the company recently announced the establishment of its North American Distribution Center in Edgerton, Kansas, which serves as the primary distribution hub for Kubota parts and whole goods distribution across the U.S. and Canada.
