Leading Family-Owned Distributor Sees Continued Growth Across the Region

Since 1948, Bryan Equipment Sales, Inc. has been distributing superior outdoor power equipment to independently owned, servicing dealers.

And since 1965, Bryan Equipment has partnered with Barnes Dennig. Today, Bryan Equipment is the leading distributor of STIHL power tools in the country, shipping more than five million STIHL power tools. Bryan Equipment operates in six states across the region: Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, middle and western Tennessee and West Virginia.

Bryan Equipment is a family owned and operated enterprise, led by CEO Rick Bryan IV, the third generation of Bryan Family ownership. Rick believes the unmatched quality of Stihl’s products coupled with the company’s commitment to customer service has been an integral part of Bryan Equipment’s success. Key aspects of this commitment include hands-on training for retailers, products available only from independent retailers (not sold online or through the big chain stores), next day shipping to retailers and 99% order fill rate by Bryan Equipment. Rick summed it up this way, “the success of the customer makes us successful.”

When asked what has made Barnes Dennig a successful partner for Bryan Equipment, Rick replies: “They are dedicated professionals who have exceptional expertise in wholesale distribution.”

The dedicated wholesale distribution team at Barnes Dennig spends a majority of their time working with clients in the industry in order to better understand what is important to companies like Bryan Equipment. This expertise allows the client engagement team to grow alongside Bryan Equipment and help them achieve their goals.

“Barnes Dennig brings advice that we may not have thought about… Also, the seminars presented by distribution industry experts like Michael Marks bring tremendous value, allowing us to educate and train our leadership team.”

Yet despite this growth, Bryan Equipment maintains a strong commitment to its people and the family owned approach to business: “We’re always striving to keep it a family organization – so our people feel like they’re part of a family,” says Rick. With an average tenure of fourteen years, and some of the most comprehensive training for employee success available in the industry, the family attitude holds strong throughout Bryan Equipment today.

Barnes Dennig has been able to assist in nurturing this philosophy by providing ideas and educational opportunities: “Barnes Dennig brings insight that we may not have thought of, such as tax advice related to self-insurance, risk management, employee benefits and benchmarking, among others,” says Rick of the 50-year partnership between Barnes Dennig and Bryan Equipment, “The seminars presented by distribution industry experts like Michael Marks bring tremendous value, allowing us to educate and train our leadership team.”

Barnes Dennig brings nationally recognized thought leaders to speak to clients in order to provide continuing education and value beyond the numbers. In addition to seminars and roundtables, Barnes Dennig strives to continuously improve client service through regular communication and a commitment to professional development of its people. Director Jim Donnellon, who leads the Wholesale Distribution team noted: “We stay current on the latest thinking for top-tier distributors with our proprietary benchmarking study and analysis of NAW’s research findings.”

“We know how important it is to meet with clients throughout the year so we understand where they are and where they’re going. Whether that’s a cup of coffee or a round of golf, knowing what it will take to help clients meet their goals is what’s most important,” says Director, Joe Conover.

Looking ahead, Rick says his vision for his family’s business consists of: “Continuing the family owned business model that has helped Bryan Equipment outperform the industry, investing in new and existing relationships and working with other family owned businesses.”

Over the past 50 years, Bryan Equipment Sales, Inc. and Barnes Dennig have worked together to develop a long-lasting and advantageous relationship. As Bryan Equipment continues to raise the bar on how it defines client service excellence, the Barnes Dennig team will do whatever it takes to keep pace – for the next 50 years.