If one listens closely to the news media, and their slant on the current state of the global economy, one might start to believe that maybe Chicken Little was right... the sky is falling. There is no question that the global economy is currently in a state of uncertainty. A correction in global economic markets is underway and government as well as business leaders around the world are working together to re-establish consumer confidence.
In the midst of this economic instability, Volvo Construction Equipment (VCE) has chosen to join forces with their brand new Minnesota based dealer group, Nuss Equipment Group LLC, whose company policy is, 'if there is an economic recession, we elect not to participate.' By joining forces with Nuss, Volvo Construction Equipment, with North American headquarters in Asheville, North Carolina, increased their commitment to the construction industry in the US states of Minnesota and Wisconsin as well as the surrounding region by a factor of six.
In August 2008, the Nuss Truck Group, with head offices in Rochester, Minnesota, acquired the assets of Sweeney Brothers Tractor, Burnsville, Minnesota branch and overnight provided VCE as well as the regions construction industry with six times the sales and service capacity. Sam Wyant, Vice President of Sales and Dealer Development for Volvo Construction Equipment, North America noted that, "The combination of Volvo Construction Equipment and the Mack and Volvo Truck franchises in a major North American market is an extraordinary venture by this Volvo Group of companies. Although, this is not the first venture of this type for Volvo (VCE) as we currently work with several dealers in this manner and it works very well. However, the partnership with Nuss is yet another unique and very strategic opportunity for all of us to fill a variety of customer needs from a single resource." Nuss Equipment Group and Volvo Construction Equipment now have second-to-none sales and service facilities in Minneapolis-St. Paul (Roseville and Burnsville) as well as Rochester, St. Cloud, Mankato and Duluth, Minnesota. Nuss also has a truck sales and service facility in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
"This association with Volvo Construction Equipment is a win-win for our customers, it's been nothing but positive," stated Greg Nuss, Vice President, Sales and Operations, Nuss Truck and Equipment. "We have had a long-standing and very successful relationship with both Mack Trucks Inc. and Volvo Trucks North America. Our customers have come to rely on us and they know that we will be there for them. Volvo Construction Equipment is a great brand with outstanding products. There is much synergy between these three companies that will benefit our customers both now and long into the future."
These benefits are already very evident as in the last few weeks Nuss has completed several multimillion dollar deals for Volvo Construction Equipment. "The successful completion of these deals is a direct result of our multiple service locations." Greg pointed out. "I think our competition is concerned about the positive impact that Volvo and Nuss are having in this marketplace."
Minneapolis-St. Paul, with a regional area population of just under 3.2 million (U.S. Census 2007) people, is the eighteenth fastest growing area in the country and the most populous urban area in the region. Located at the confluence of the Mississippi, Minnesota and St. Croix Rivers, it is composed of eleven counties in Minnesota and two counties in Wisconsin making up the country's sixteenth largest metropolitan area. The Twin-Cities region of Minneapolis-St. Paul consistently ranks amongst one of the best places to do business in the United States.
Asked whether this was a shrewd business move or just a swash-buckling act in a downturn market, Nuss didn't hesitate for a second. "This is a family business. Sweeney was a family business. Decisions like this aren't made easily. For a deal of this magnitude to come together the timing has got to be right for the buyer and it sure has to be right for the seller. We're in this for the long term. What makes it easier in a market like this is the synergies on the backside that we can create. When it makes sense and fits into your existing organization literally like a hand in a glove it's the right decision. Let's not forget that the ultimate benefit will come to both our customers and to the loyal group of customers that Sweeney had."
Nuss Equipment Group LLC, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Nuss Truck Group Inc., established as a family business in 1979. The company's roots are firm and go back to 1959 when Greg's grandfather was a Mack Truck dealer in Rockford, Illinois. The Nuss Truck Group Inc. have been extremely successful with their truck dealerships and have been a leader in Mack Truck sales in North America on several occasions. In addition to their recently added VCE business, they handle sales and service for Mack and Volvo Trucks, Isuzu Commercial Trucks, GMC Medium Duty Trucks and Nissan Diesel USA. Nuss is also a service facility for Prevost passenger coaches.