NAEDA and AED plan merger for January 2027

The North American Equipment Dealers Association and Associated Equipment Distributors announced plans to merge effective January 2027.

The combined organization will operate as Associated Equipment Dealers and serve equipment dealers and distributors across the United States and Canada. The merger will bring together the two associations’ resources and programs.

“This merger is about putting dealers first and positioning our industry for the future,” said Steve Hunt, chairman of the NAEDA board of directors and president of H&R Agri-Power Inc. “NAEDA and AED each bring strengths to the table. Together, we can preserve what our members value most while expanding what we can accomplish on their behalf. This is about becoming stronger, more effective and more valuable to the dealers we serve.”

Marshall Anderson, chairman of the AED board of directors and executive vice president of RDO Equipment Co., said the merger strengthens the voice of the equipment industry.

“This merger represents an important step toward creating a stronger, more unified voice for the equipment industry,” said Anderson. “By bringing AED and NAEDA together, we can align our efforts, strengthen our advocacy and better serve equipment dealers across North America.”

Advocacy and industry affairs will be a focus of the combined organization. NAEDA and AED said the merger will bring together their efforts representing dealers with policymakers, manufacturers and other industry stakeholders throughout North America.

The combined organization also will continue programs involving education, workforce development, dealer-manufacturer relations, research, events and member services.

“Our responsibility is to look beyond where our associations are today and consider what our members will need five, 10 and 20 years from now,” Anderson said. “This merger gives us the opportunity to build that future together.”

Hunt added, “We are taking the best of NAEDA and the best of AED and creating a stronger future for equipment dealers across North America.”

Leadership and staff from both organizations will work together ahead of the January 2027 effective date to transition the organizations and maintain member programs and services.