Between presenting the Takeuchi sales awards for 2014, a record-breaking pace for Takeuchi sales this year, and the market continuing to climb and do well, it has been an exciting few months here.
In May, we presented the Total Volume Dealer of the Year award to Folcomer Equipment and the Top Salesman of the Year award to Jimi Martin of Perimeter Takeuchi. Both Folcomer and Mr. Martin are very deserving of the accolades after posting great numbers in 2014.
Folcomer Equipment, a full-service construction dealer, has four locations throughout Maryland — Aberdeen, Baltimore, Frederick, and Upper Marlboro — as well as a location in Greenwood, Delaware. I was on hand at their Baltimore location to present Dave Folcomer, president and owner, with the award. Folcomer Equipment has always done a great job for us, and this is not the first time they have won this award. The award was based on wholegood sales, market share and compliance with manufacturer standards.
It is quite amazing how Folcomer Equipment has transformed in the years since Dave started the company in Aberdeen back in 1994. To grow and expand into five locations as a family-owned business is a great accomplishment.
Each year, we recognize the individual that ranks number one in retail sales. For the second consecutive year, it was Jimi Martin, who really is an anomaly when it comes to sales. Jimi represents the Takeuchi brand very well and exemplifies the meaning of a true sales professional. Dale McLemore, our regional business manager, works closely with Jimi and recently presented the award to him at Takeuchi’s U.S. headquarters in Pendergrass, Georgia.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the nonresidential and residential sectors of the construction industry are doing well. Employers added 45,000 jobs in April, which was the best month for construction employment since January 2014. In addition, the Commerce Department recently reported that new home starts are also surging to an annual rate of 1.14 million homes. This is an eight-year high and up 20 percent from the March rate — all great news for our compact equipment markets!
With the construction industry trending upward, our industry segments also have grown 11.5 percent through April and our sales have increased 17 percent year to date. While we still have several months ahead of us, 2015 is shaping up to be not only a record year for Takeuchi, but for our dealers as well.
These numbers are very reassuring, especially with the summer months ahead. Construction spending should increase in the coming months with projects that were delayed in the wintertime starting up again. There is certainly a lot to be positive about in our industry right now and much to celebrate, but much work to be done as well.
From all of us at Takeuchi, thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Clay Eubanks,
President of Takeuchi-US