FARMTRAC
A synopsis of Farmtrac
Farmtrac North America, a now-defunct tractor distributor formerly based in Tarboro, N.C., closed its doors Jan. 18, 2008 to more 180 assembly plant workers, 285 retail outlets and customers across the U.S. and Canada. Montana Tractors won ownership of FNA assets during an Edgecombe County Courthouse auction after lingering in court ordered receivership for nearly a year.
A complex story
And although Farmtrac's operations have ceased, the firm's underlying financial problems--which originated long before then--created a curious, intertwined post-closure path. Facts substantiating past allegations of product loading, unfair trade practices
and conspiracy involving Farmtrac executives and financier Textron Financial Corporation's Private Brands division of Alpharetta, Ga.
As a former staff writer-turned-coorespondent for Tarboro's local newspaper,
The Daily Southerner, I've worked to investigate and report the Farmtrac situation as it has progressed. And memo to Farmtrac-related wrong-doers: this writer's plodding-but-persistent efforts are destined to show up in book form. Sucks for you, perpetrators.
For now, follow it through the newspaper.
Here is a list of Farmtrac articles from The Daily Southerner:
* Items marked by asterisk written by present staff members.
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06/12/09 - Montana Tractors to add workers*
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05/21/09 - Montana move won't begin until July*
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04/17/09 - RMT: Montana Tractors moving to Tarboro*
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04/14/09 - Montana Tractors moving to Tarboro*
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02/19/09 - Who gets paid first?*
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12/12/08 - Montana Tractors era begins in Tarboro*
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11/18/08 - Farmtrac sold to Montana Tractors*
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11/14/08 - Farmtrac auction Monday?*
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11/14/08 - Farmtrac maybe sold*
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06/19/08 - PLOWED UNDER: Foreign owner took Farmtrac money and ran
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06/18/08 - PLOWED UNDER: Farmtrac workers, customers feel cheated
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06/17/08 - PLOWED UNDER: Farmtrac dealers face demise
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04/28/08 - Farmtrac auction draws opinionated crowd*
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04/25/08 - Farmtrac dealers gather in town
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04/24/08 - Farmtrac puts admin staff back to work*
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04/04/08 - Farmtrac battling dealers in cyberspace
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04/02/08 - Tractors for sale; Online vendor selling Farmtrac units
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03/24/08 - Farmtrac puts admin staff back to work
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03/13/08 - Farmtrac talks with Montana Tractors
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02/28/08 - Farmtrac goes into receivership
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02/05/08 - Future of Farmtrac remains uncertain
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01/18/08 - Farmtrac tries to regroup
Tractorbynet.com
Claiming itself to be the "world's largest tractor community," the Tractorbynet.com web log is a Web site that has permitted tractor dealers and a variety of farm implement enthusiasts a centralized location to exchange inforation and ideas regarding the Farmtrac situation. Should Sir Francis Bacon's claim "knowledge is power" hold true, then many a Farmtrac follower leave TBN.com well-informed and supercharged. Just as important, the knowledge shared may inadvertantly end up saving the bacon of a segment of our country's farmer.
Click here to read Tractorbynet.com recent discussions.
Stay tuned for updates and additions to Bob44.com coverage of the Farmtrac situation.
Have something to contribute? E-mail me at bob_benedetti@hotmail.com immediately and enter "Farmtrac" into the subject box.