The Equipment Dealers Association (EDA) recently released its 2016 Dealer-Manufacturer Relations Survey Report—this annual report contains valuable information about the relationship between dealers and their suppliers. Both equipment manufacturers and dealers find the data to be beneficial in improving product and service quality and promoting top-ranked products to consumers. This report provides manufacturers some insight into how their products and services compare to their competitors and is often used as a means to support change and improvements within the supply chain. It also offers dealers the ability to evaluate new product lines to consider carrying for their customers.
In this year’s survey, equipment dealers were asked to rate up to seven manufacturer lines they carry based on 12 criteria related to operations and support. Only manufacturers who received the minimum number of ratings are included in the final survey results. This year, 55 different manufacturers are represented in four categories: Full-Line Manufacturer, Tractor Manufacturer, Short-Line Manufacturer and Outdoor Power Equipment Manufacturer. Within the next few weeks, EDA will announce the recipients of the 2016 Dealer’s Choice Awards within each of the four manufacturer categories.
More than 2,300 dealers participated in the survey this year, a 25% increase over last year’s total. Participating dealers rated an average of four manufacturers each for a total of 9,180 individual ratings, a 38% increase over last year’s total of 6,671.
The Dealer-Manufacturer Relations Survey and corresponding report represent a key initiative of the Equipment Dealers Assn. Only dealer members and manufacturers rated in the survey receive copies of the report.
For more information about the association, including how to join, visit equipmentdealer.org.