Reaction to the Douglas Dynamics buyout of Trynex for $26 million On Monday, Douglas Dynamics Inc. made a big statement by acquired Trynex Inc. for $26 million dollars and we think this was a great idea. As the number one distributor of snow/ice equipment and accessories on the internet, Central Parts Warehouse has a strong relationship with both companies which will not be affected by this shocking and sudden acquisition. Central Parts will also continue to sell and service all Douglas Dynamics and Trynex products moving forward. By adding the Trynex brands of SnowEx, TurfEx and SweepEx brands to their portfolio, Douglas will instantly increase their market share and gain access to a strong network of authorized distributors, dealers and loyal customers. Douglas Dynamics already has three of the best performing snowplow lines with Western, Fisher, and Blizzard, but this shrewd move definitely puts pressure on their competitors like Boss, Buyers, Meyer to get or stay aggressive with their marketing, advertising and product development. The brands under Douglas Dynamics have been conducting aggressive social media campaigns recently and will most certainly enhance their advertising this summer and fall. Douglas Dynamics was quoted saying the company posted a first-quarter net loss of $3.4 million, or 15 cents per share, compared with a loss of $4.2 million, or 19 cents per share, in the year-ago period. Net sales increased to $14.1 million from $8.6 million a year ago, driven by a significant boost in parts and accessories sales and an increase in unit sales due to higher snowfall during the last couple of months of the quarter. Finally, this news comes on the heels of Western and Fisher previously announcing the expansion of their products lines with several new offerings available this fall. � |