davis implement co.
Vinton, Iowa
Years of Operation: 1934 - 2004
Years of Operation: 1934 - 2004
Davis Implement was started on February 1, 1934 by Ivan Davis, Sr. when he rented the old livery stable in Vinton and began his implement business with the Oliver line. It was common for Ivan to take in horses and horse drawn equipment on trade for tractors and implements. By 1938, the business had grown and they moved to west side of Vinton at 1006 W. 4th Street. Ivan's three sons, Dick, Burt, and Ivan Jr. joined the business after World War II. Burt had been a fighter pilot in WWII flying P-61s. Ivan Jr. and Burt joined the firm in 1945. Davis Implement built a new location in Keystone, Iowa in 1946 and son Dick operated the Keystone location. Keystone added the Oliver line in 1952 and continued until 1963 when it was sold off. Dick returned as sales manager for Davis Implement in Vinton at that time and continued there until he retired in 1990. The business was officially incorporated in the state of Iowa on December 28, 1950 with Ivan Davis, Senior as President, Burton and Dick as Vice Presidents, and Ivan, Jr. as Secretary-Treasurer. Ivan, Sr. passed away in 1957 and his sons took over full operations of the implement dealerships. Roger Albert, who was Ivan's son in law, became a partner in the business and worked as the parts and service manager beginning in 1958. Additionally, a new building was constructed at the Vinton location in 1958. The building is still used today for parts and sales by the succeeding implement business. In the 1960's, Davis Implement were pioneers in the new concept of leasing farm equipment. In 1960, they did their first farm equipment lease for 2 Oliver 880 tractors and a plow to Harper's Hybrid Seed Corn of Vinton. The leasing program was successful and continued to grow so much that in 1964, they wrote $40,000 in leasing agreements! All these sales led to Davis Implement receiving the President's Honor Council Award in 1964 and 1967 from the Oliver Corporation.
In 1984, Burt and Ivan sold the business to Roger Albert, Bill Guider, Dann Albert, Matt Hansen, and Dave Staab. Roger continued as president of Davis Implement until he retired in 1990. The final chapter for Davis Implement ended in May 2004 when it was purchased by Kromminga Motors of Monticello, Iowa. They continue to operate the dealership as their second location handling New Holland, White Planters, and a variety of other lines. Unfortunately, the Davis "boys" have all passed away - Ivan Jr. in 2005, Burt in 2013, brother in law Roger Albert in 2019, and Dick in 2020.
In 1984, Burt and Ivan sold the business to Roger Albert, Bill Guider, Dann Albert, Matt Hansen, and Dave Staab. Roger continued as president of Davis Implement until he retired in 1990. The final chapter for Davis Implement ended in May 2004 when it was purchased by Kromminga Motors of Monticello, Iowa. They continue to operate the dealership as their second location handling New Holland, White Planters, and a variety of other lines. Unfortunately, the Davis "boys" have all passed away - Ivan Jr. in 2005, Burt in 2013, brother in law Roger Albert in 2019, and Dick in 2020.