Associated Equipment Distributors

Welcome to Farm Equipment's podcast.

In this episode, I sat down with Brian McGuire, president and CEO of Associated Equipment Distributors, and Brett Davis, CEO of the North American Equipment Dealers Association.

The two organizations announced in late September 2026 plans to merge into one unified dealer association, bringing the strengths of each group together.

I caught up with the two execs to discuss how we got to this place, what's next, and why this is what's best for dealers and the industry.

Dealer associations.

The proposed Associated Equipment Distributors North American Equipment Dealers Association merger, to be called Associated Equipment Dealers, shows that associations are responding to the consolidation trend, too.

This development might be referred to as version 4.0.

The MOU crafted a year ago telegraphed the sensible path toward a merger, but the timetable came swifter than expected.

While the Senate bill has strong bipartisan support, the outlook for permitting reform passage in the House currently appears uncertain.

Brian McGuire, president and CEO of Associated Equipment Distributors, has sent letters to Canadian provincial leaders to offer his support in resolving the U.S.-Canadian trade war, as many of the group's Canadian members have been directly impacted by trade disruptions.

It is critical to support Canada's national infrastructure and agricultural production that negotiations continue, and our association will actively work to ensure that leaders in both countries understand the importance of reaching a fair agreement through positive and respectful dialogue, McGuire said.

AED is one of the largest U.S.-Canadian trade associations operating in more than 7,200 locations.

I got word that two of the larger equipment association that's in this, I guess, the equipment dealers association.

the North American Equipment Dealers Association and the Associated Equipment Distributors.

They have announced plans to formally merge.

The new organization will be called the Associated Equipment Dealers, AED.

Definitely.

Well, Chip, the president and the CEO of the Associated Equipment Distributors sent a letter to the U.S. governors from states with significant exposure to Canadian trade.

Brian McGuire is urging action to resolve the ongoing U.S.-Canada trade stalemate and restore consistent... tariff-free trade relationship he shared that the supply chains don't stop at state or national borders adding that the ongoing uncertainty will inflate equipment costs threaten local jobs and disrupt significant multi-year capital investments chip recently the organization was in washington dc speaking with the canadian embassy and then also members of the house weights and means committee

Excellent.