2004 - Volume #28, Issue #5, Page #08
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Web-Based Repair Business "Growing By Leaps And Bounds
Anyone in the market for a tractor engine rebuild kit or other engine components will appreciate the low prices, free shipping and easy access offered by Agkits.com, a website run by Syracuse Crank and Machine.And anyone considering setting up a website might be interested in knowing that sales from Agkits.com have already exceeded six figures in only seven months.
The company still operates its heavy-duty machine shop and parts store in Liverpool, N.Y. But based on early results, they expect their online business to become a large part of the operation.
They stock many tractor engine overhaul kits, crankshafts, camshafts, engine block assemblies, repair manuals, and more.
"We strive to use the highest quality parts in all our engine kits," says company president Brian Osborne. "We use top brand names such as Federal Mogul, Sealed Power, FP Diesel, Dana, Clevite, Fel-Pro, and Victor. We know that longevity is important to our customers, that's why we try our hardest to supply them with the correct and the best parts on the market today. All Federal Mogul and Clevite engine parts carry a 7,500 hour, parts & labor warranty."
The company also carries a good selection of obsolete engine parts.
They ship from more than a dozen different locations across the U.S. by making use of their parts vendors' distribution systems. They also offer free shipping anywhere in the U.S.
"Our son, Justyn built and maintains the website and we've already tripled our part sales as a direct result," Osborne says. "We're really excited. The automotive and over-the-road truck engine business is on the decline as a whole because computerization is causing them to last longer. Because of that, we've focused on the agricultural end of things."
Thanks to the website, the company is shipping parts around the globe - to Scotland, Australia, Uruguay, and they have an order pending for South Africa.
"It's a little challenging to handle that type of shipping, so we're learning," Osborne says.
Besides part sales, he says Agkits.com has brought in rebuild work on engines shipped from out of state.
"Our vendor sales reps say they have other customers who are trying to do the same thing by going online, but without nearly the success that we have had," Osborne says.
"We weren't really expecting that kind of a huge response, but a lot of it is making your site easy to use, having good prices, great customer service, and free shipping. We work with low profit margins on high sales volumes, so low prices are important. Free shipping is also one of the biggest keys to attracting a customer's attention."
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Syracuse Crank and Machine Inc., 106 Luther Ave., Liverpool, N.Y. 13088 (ph 800 437-3609; email: sales@agkits.com; website: www.agkits.com).
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