Premier Equipment acquires Winston Tractor, expands to 5 North Carolina locations
Premier Equipment Company has acquired Winston Tractor Company, expanding its operations to five retail locations in North Carolina.
Winston Tractor, based in Winston-Salem, has been a dealer of compact tractors, utility tractors and construction equipment in the region. Premier Equipment is an affiliate of Curtis Lane Equipment.
As part of the acquisition, Case IH Agriculture will be added to Premier’s equipment lineup alongside New Holland Agriculture and Construction. Company officials said the change is expected to expand parts availability, service capacity and equipment selection for customers in the area.
“The Premier team is excited to expand our business with the addition of Winston Tractor,” said Spencer Bellamy, Premier Equipment’s president. “The two companies share the desire to build and support trusted relationships with our customers, employees, and communities. We look forward to meeting the needs of agricultural producers, residential homeowners, contractors, governmental agencies, and commercial businesses in the area previously served by Winston Tractor.”
The sale ends more than 60 years of ownership by the Cockerham family, according to Bobby Cockerham, whose family founded and operated the dealership.
“Winston Tractor is a long-standing dealership owned and operated by the Cockerham family. The sale of Winston Tractor marks the end of more than 60 years of dealership operations by the family,” Cockerham said. “The Cockerham family entered the equipment business in the 1960s with the opening of Charlotte Tractor, their first dealership. Over the years, they expanded into multiple locations and became known statewide for customer service, product knowledge, and deep community ties.”
Premier Equipment is headquartered in Rocky Mount and sells new and pre-owned agricultural and construction equipment, parts and service. The company employs about 80 people and serves customers in eastern and central North Carolina.
