Witmer’s Sells Ag Equipment Division to Ohio CAT

SALEM, Ohio — Witmer’s Inc. has sold its agricultural equipment division to Ohio Ag Equipment as part of what the 80-year-old company describes as a restructuring to focus on its construction business.

Ohio Ag Equipment, based in Broadview Heights, is a division of Ohio CAT. It will lease space and continue to operate from Witmer’s store at 39821 State Route 14. Witmer’s Construction Inc. will also operate there within defined space, according to an announcement of the sale distributed late Friday.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Nelson Witmer, president of the family business, called the deal a strategic decision that allows Witmer’s to focus on its strengths in construction without leaving a void in the local agriculture equipment market. He assured customers that Ohio Ag Equipment is working to create a seamless transition. “This is the best way to ensure that our customers for the last 80 years still get the same service that they’re used to,” Witmer said.

Ohio Ag Equipment will continue to employ the staff of Witmer’s agriculture equipment division, said its general manager, Mike Mampieri.

“In our early discussions, it was clear the Witmer family had two concerns. They wanted to be sure their customers and employees would be supported through this process and in the future,” says Mampieri. “We at Ohio Ag Equipment can appreciate these concerns and will work to build on the Witmer’s legacy by providing outstanding customer support and by welcoming our new team of employees into the extended Ohio CAT family.”

Witmer’s Construction Inc. sells Butler and Lester Building Systems and serves as a general contractor to the commercial, industrial, and agricultural markets.

The company is investing in new processes and techniques to deliver pre-engineered steel and wood frame buildings to the commercial, agricultural and industrial markets – services it has offered for 40 years, Witmer said. In addition to its practiced design/build services, turnkey construction and metal re-roofing, the company is adding energy analysis services.

This service allows Witmer’s to analyze new and existing buildings for energy usage, thereby calculating the cost of ownership for those structures. That information creates a basis from which Witmer’s can provide maintenance services for those customers to reduce and maintain low energy usage, saving the customer money.

“It’s about going beyond the warranty; we want to build a relationship with the customer, not just complete a contract,” Witmer says. “Our goal is to become the preferred provider of these services in our market,” Witmer said.

“We are excited for the future and eager to get things moving in a new direction. We’ve been here for 80 years and we are here to stay.”

Pictured above: Doris Witmer, Ralph Witmer, CEO of Witmer’s Inc., Ken Taylor, president of Ohio CAT, Grace W. Styer, secretary/treasurer of Witmer’s Inc. and Nelson Witmer, president of Witmer’s Inc.

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