200,000TH MOWER DECK PRODUCED
On June 1, 2021, the Walker factory celebrated production of the 200,000th mower deck. It is interesting to note that except for the first few years of production, some Walker Mower owners purchase extra mower decks. With 200,000 decks produced and a little over 170,000 tractors, the statistic is 17% more decks have been sold than tractors.
DISTRIBUTOR CHANGE IN UPPER MIDWEST ANNOUNCED
Walker Manufacturing announces that effective July 2021, the Walker Mower distributor for Ohio, Michigan and Eastern Indiana will change from Emmett Equipment Company (Richfield, Ohio) to Precision Work, Inc. (Port Washington, New York). Emmett has been the Walker Distributor for this area since 2002. “We have enjoyed working with the dedicated Emmett team, and we are thankful for all of the progress they have made,” says Walker Chairman, Bob Walker. “Company founder Tom Emmett was a key part of the development of the Walker market in these states until his passing in 2016, but now they have decided to move away from the distribution business and concentrate on the retail sales and service part of their business.” Emmett will continue to be a Walker dealer working under the Precision program. As the longest-time, largest Walker distributor, covering the nine northeastern states from Maine to Pennsylvania, Precision will assume responsibility for this additional territory. Precision’s president, Jeff Plotka, says his team is excited to welcome the new Midwestern dealers into the Precision Work family: “Our company has been built on strong relationships with dealers who we like to treat like family, and we look forward to bringing the same program, service and attention to detail to these new dealers.”
WALKER EXPERIENCING STRONG RETAIL SALES
In spite of turbulent times in the USA and around the world, Walker retail sales have increased at a surprising rate. Using retail financing deals and warranty registrations as the barometer, retail sales have increased +12% and +18% respectively in 2021. The Walker factory has ramped up production to meet the market demand, but has fallen short, so equipment inventories at dealers are lower than usual. Walker reports that production has been throttled by supply chain disruptions (as noted by many manufacturing companies in these times), and they will be working to increase the supply of Walker Mowers as soon as they are able.
THE WALKER WAY BOOK IN PRINT
Bob Walker’s book is finished and printed. Starting with his parents, Bob has told the story of his family getting into the manufacturing business and finding their best opportunity in designing and building the Walker Mower along with the lessons learned and a collected set of operating principles. The book may be ordered at walkerware.com in paperback or hardback or from Amazon in paperback, e-book, or audiobook. Also make sure and stop by thewalkerway.com to learn more about the book and sign the guest book.
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