RDO, Vermeer and Vanderfield to align under one brand

In a move to streamline operations and strengthen its position in Australia as a leading supplier of agriculture and construction machinery, RDO Equipment has decided to bring together all three of its businesses in Australia under one name.  

From now on, RDO Equipment, Vermeer Australia and Vanderfield will align under one name and one brand – RDO Equipment.

This action will bring together 29 branches and over 800 staff to focus on the success of RDO’s customers across the agriculture, construction, and forestry equipment sectors.

With this change, the Vanderfield name that has long been synonymous with agricultural machinery across Queensland and Northern New South Wales will be retired. Based in Toowoomba, Vanderfield has been a John Deere agricultural dealer since 1970. RDO Equipment officially acquired the business, alongside Vermeer Australia, in late 2019.

Based in Fargo, North Dakota, RDO Equipment was established in 1968 by Ron Offutt.  The company remains rooted in the agriculture sector and is family owned and operated, with Ron’s daughter and son, Christi and Ryan, active in leadership roles with the business.

“Since they invested in Vanderfield nearly 10 years ago, the Offutt family have shared our values and have been great partners to me and my family,” said Bruce Vandersee, who served as CEO of Vanderfield for 28 years and remains a director and shareholder of RDO Equipment.

“They understand agriculture, take a long-term view, and are committed to investing in our business to provide the highest level of service and support for our customers.”

Over the past 10 years, Vanderfield has continued to expand, most recently with the acquisition of Chesterfield, a John Deere agricultural dealer in South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales. 

In 2019, RDO Equipment was established in Australia when the company was appointed as the John Deere Construction and Forestry dealer for Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and the Northern Territory.

“We have a tremendously dedicated team, many with decades of experience, who have a deep understanding of our customers and the machines that are critical to their operations,” said RDO Equipment’s new CEO, Phil Canning.

“While we are changing the brand, our customers will continue to be looked after by the sales and service teams they already know and trust, and they can expect the same level of expert support and advice that they have always received from our united team.”

Ryan Offutt, Chairman of the RDO Equipment Board, says this is an exciting new chapter for RDO Equipment in Australia.

“Our business is built on values and a commitment to the success of our stakeholders, our customers, employees, manufacturing partners and the communities where we do business,” he said.

“When we had the opportunity to invest alongside Bruce and his family 10 years ago, it was clear we shared this same approach to long-term success.

“I want to recognise the legacy of the Vanderfield organisation as an important foundation stone for our future, and express my family’s gratitude to the customer and employees who have given us the opportunity to invest in Australia. The strengths and qualities of Vanderfield will be continued as we focus on the future.”