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ROCK — U.P. Tractor, under new ownership since February, is celebrating with an open house this Friday. Jeffrey and Audrey Litwiller purchased the business in Rock from father and son Alan and Dale Bartlett.
The forerunner to the now-established U.P. Tractor was B&L Repair, started by business partners Alan Bruce Bartlett and Darryl Leppanen in 1995 out of Alan’s garage. Three years later, Leppanen sold his portion to Bartlett.
Bartlett purchased a building in Rock at 14502 M-35 and named the business U.P. Tractor, Inc. in 1998 with his wife Betty and son Dale.
Since then, a few additions were made to the original garage with an office and showroom.
“Alan and Dale were the backbone of the business until the date it was sold to Jeffrey and Audrey Litwiller on February 6,” relayed Office Manager Marie Nummilien. “Dale has been a big part of the transition, and his experience as a mechanic will be an asset to the new business Upper Peninsula Tractor LLC (doing business as) U.P. Tractor.”
Nummilien has 10 years of experience, and LS certified shop Additional members of the team are Robert, a delivery driver; mechanics Colten and Tyler; and Monica, who works in parts.
When asked whether customers usually seek to buy machines, order parts or receive service:
“The biggest part of the business is the service we have provided over the past 30 years. The new owners are looking to continue to build on the foundation of what the Bartletts had with customer satisfaction,” read an emailed statement from the business. “Even though our service is what keeps our customers returning, we have developed many new customers with our full line of LS Tractors & implements, Rhino, Ironcraft, CID, Kuhn, and our new line of Dixie Choppers.”
On July 24, a grand opening event strives to create fun for the entire family. There will be hot dogs, chips, soda and ice cream, plus a bounce house for the children. There will be children’s raffle giveaways with a variety of gifts as well as raffle drawings for adults. Attendees may enter to win 2000-pound pallet forks and Milwaukee tools.
The store is offering 10% discount on implements and Milwaukee tools purchased the day of the event. Anyone who purchases an LS tractor the day of the event will receive credit for service. 50 hour service ($750.00 value). Rebates will be offered on Dixie Chopper lawnmowers.
All in all, the event is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Drawings will be held at 6:30 p.m.