“Put your money where your mouth is, buddy.” Who hasn’t heard that retort, probably more than we’d like. It’s one of those things that is easy to say, but not necessarily as easy to accomplish.

For example, how often have we heard businesses proclaim their dedication to doing what’s good for their customers? Alternatively, who hasn’t wondered sometimes about that “special deal” made possible just of us. Many businesses “talk the talk,” as the saying goes, but fail to “walk the walk.” That makes it a big deal when a company like Monroe Tractor defies what many would consider the “standard approach to business.”

Certainly, no one could blame a company whose reputation dates back 55 years if it rested on its laurels a little. Service has been exemplary all those years and the brand names it represents have products that have served Monroe Tractor and its customers well throughout all those years.

But, the really good companies don’t get comfortable with the status quo, so no one can be surprised that Monroe Tractor chose to “shake things up a bit,” in the interest of its customers. Chris Felosky, representing the third generation in the family owned company, is leading the charge as the newly named product service manager.

Felosky tested his wings where the rubber meets the road, as a sales rep addressing the everyday challenges of customers. “Fuel costs are up. Insurance premiums are up. Operating costs in general are up,” said Felosky of his customers’ challenges. “So, we wanted to provide our customers with something better. How better to help your customer than to ease the assault on its wallet,” he ventured.

Aftermarket parts and service seemed like an area particularly suited to enable his company to demonstrate its sincere interest in doing “what’s good for the customer.” Therefore, Monroe Tractor negotiated direct purchasing from several large consumable providers, eliminating several mark-ups within the normal supply chain. “This enables us to offer parts and service to our customers at significantly lower prices than we’ve been able to in the past,” says Felosky.

“We can assure our customers that these products are of the same high quality they’ve come to expect from Monroe Tractor. They just cost less,” he added.

This means that while many of the name brands its customers have become familiar with are still available, new brand names have been added. “We like to emphasize the brand names,” says Felosky, “because so many of the new names are also big names that our customers are already familiar with,” Felosky points to names like Baldwin Filter, Mobil/Exxon Oil, Johnson Controls, and Coleman as examples of the quality names that are now in inventory.

One of the nice things about the new lines is the opportunity it provides the construction equipment dealer to work with new customers. With names such as those Felosky mentioned, doors are opened to a broad array of new customers.

However, and here’s where the good part comes in, customers of every stripe will see real cost savings. Take the Baldwin Filters for example. With this new line, Felosky or any of his local product support reps can “do a filter profile” for a current customer or a new customer. “The profile will identify the makes, models, horsepower, etc. for all the equipment a customer operates, compare pricing, and demonstrate real savings. We’re looking for 100 percent of a customer’s filter business,” he says. Real savings of between 8 and 30 percent are the norm, but with the filter profile, the least the customer comes away with is a complete list of its filter needs.

Customers who take advantage of the Mobil/Exxon pricing may use as much as 200-300 gallons a year, or more. Felosky’s team will set them up with “totes” (oil storage containers) made of a composite material encased in a metal cage for safety. With their oil delivered and stored on site, additional savings can be realized.

Batteries are another major need for contractors and the new batteries while manufactured by Johnson Controls will be branded with the Monroe Tractor name. “We’re now offering batteries for everything from small, compact lawn equipment to full-size construction equipment,” notes Felosky. The inventory, again at considerable savings, includes 6-volt, 12-volt, and 24-volt batteries.

Another new line carries the Coleman brand that everyone is familiar with. Recognizing the importance of such equipment as generators, power washers, and compressors to its customers Monroe Tractor went in search of a line that would bring instant creditability to the market place and a high level of confidence. The Coleman Powermate equipment fills this bill.

This program is still new,” says Felosky, “so customers will want to pay attention as we continue to add products to our inventory. All a customer needs to do is give us a call or simply speak with its sales person. In addition, a customer can visit us on line at www.MonroeTractor.com to see a growing list of parts suppliers available to Monroe Tractor customers.

For more information visit www.MonroeTractor.com
or call the Monroe Tractor sales office nearest you:
Henrietta, NY: 585-334-3867; Buffalo, NY: 716-681-7100; or Syracuse, NY: 315-452-0000.

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