Calgary, Alta. — Rocky Mountain Dealerships (TSX:RME), Canada's largest agriculture equipment dealer, announced an update with respect to the impact from the COVID-19 virus outbreak on its current operations.

RME’s business activities have been deemed by the Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba Provincial Governments to be an essential service during these uncertain times. RME expects this designation to continue in the near to midterm as Canadian farmers prepare for seeding this spring and considering the potential demand for Canadian crops worldwide.

Commenting on RME’s response to the COVID-19 crisis, Garrett Ganden, president and CEO said, “RME acted quickly in response to this crisis focusing on the safety of our employees and customers, but also ensuring sustainable and continuous service to our Western Canadian markets.

We are supported in our efforts by the brands we represent, noting that in its own measured response, CNH Industrial announced its intention to maintain North American parts production and distribution in support of the imminent seeding season, while it furloughs some of its North and South American manufacturing facilities for two weeks starting March 30.

While COVID-19 has already had a tremendous effect on the global economy, overall, we do not anticipate CNH’s short-term plant closures having a significant impact on our long term business. In anticipation of potential supply chain disruptions, we had already been increasing our on-hand supply of critical parts inventory necessary to support our customers for the upcoming seeding season.

“RME and its 36 branches across Western Canada will continue to operate and support our customers during this period of uncertainty. I would like to reiterate that we have sufficient equipment and parts inventory on the shelf with ongoing access to CNH’s North American parts depots to meet our customers’ needs,” said Ganden.

Source: Rocky Mountain Dealerships