Ward Implement Company is closing after nearly seven decades of serving the area ag community. Located in McLean County, the family-owned agriculture supply and service business will shut their doors for good at the end of June when the family retires.
The business, which began in 1954, sent a letter to their customers announcing the steps they’ll take over the next few months as they prepare to close.
“First, we would like to thank you for your continued business over these past 69 years. It has been our pleasure being able to do business with you,” Jeep and Tim Ward wrote to start the letter. “Over the next 6 months we will slowly taper off our business.”
They also noted there will be one final open house on March 18 to serve breakfast and lunch for all that attend “to say thank you one last time.”
Ward Implement will remain a full-service dealer until May 1. At that time, they will begin shipping the remaining new inventory back to the manufacturers. Outstanding customer account balances must also be paid in full by May 1.
The business will not be placing any new part orders with suppliers after May 31 so they can expedite their closing in June. Inventory, special tools, trucks, store fixtures, etc. that are still remaining after the June 30 closing deadline will be auctioned off with a date and time to be determined.
Ward Implement has already started discounting their in-stock parts inventory. Discounts will increase each month through May. Part sales will be first-come, first-served basis. All sales will be final and no returns will be accepted.
The business will aslo maintain their service department in full until May 1. After that date, they will only accept repairs on a case-by-case basis to be determined by the service manager to ensure repairs can be completed by May 31. All repairs that have been started before May 1 will be completed before the closing date.
Ward Implement will continue to sell their new and used equipment until the closing date. New equipment will be available until it is transferred out to other dealers. Any new items sold will have a new warranty that can be transferred to any certified dealer of that brand. Any used inventory not sold will be auctioned off. All new equipment pre-orders will be fulfilled, set up and delivered.
Anyone with questions can contact Jeep or Tim Ward at 270-273-3206 or [email protected].
