FUQUAY-VARINA, N.C. — East Coast Equipment and Quality Equipment, two John Deere dealerships with similar roots in communities throughout North Carolina and Virginia, have joined in a merger. The combination of these companies will broaden each entity’s ability to maximize service to homeowners, landscapers and farmers – together.

The new organization, which will retain the name “Quality Equipment,” will use its combined strengths to provide the best products and services to current and future customers, according to CEO Bryan Dobson.

“The merged company will offer a much larger selection of new and used equipment,” Dobson said. “This larger inventory will provide greater variety and faster availability to meet the specialized needs of agricultural, commercial, and residential customers.”

The larger trade area and increased customer diversity will also result in better value for customers trading and buying pre-owned equipment. Enhanced parts inventory availability will be a benefit to customers in every location, and the combined staff will contribute to more specialized training in Quality’s service departments.

The company also offers a new customer call center, which will provide reliable phone support for Precision Agriculture customers.

With 27 locations, the organization will now serve much of North Carolina, from Polkton and Burlington to the coast. It also has one Virginia store, located in Chesapeake. The headquarters of the new company will be located in Fuquay-Varina, N.C., and will support 525 employees. In addition to Dobson, the company leadership includes Greg Morgan (COO), Stan Bowers (CFO), and James Lucas (Aftermarket Director).  

East Coast Equipment was formed in 2005 by a group of 6 individual John Deere dealerships. Before the merger, East Coast Equipment was made up of 13 stores. Quality Equipment was formed in 2007 through the merger of 5 separate John Deere dealer organizations and eventually grew into 14 locations. Both companies offer, and will continue to provide, equipment, parts and service for John Deere products. Other lines carried include Stihl, Amadas, KMC, Unverferth, Tiger/Alamo, Krone, Kuhn and Bush Hog.

For more information on the merger, visit www.QualityEquip.com/about-us/merger.