The Groundwork
The Yell County Gin Co. was built and first opened in 1947 as a cotton gin in Dardanelle, AR. After changing ownership a few times, since its opening, Delma Merritt purchased the gin in 1966. Delma grew the company from only a cotton gin to a full farm supply store selling feed, seed, fertilizer, and many other farm related goods.
However, the cotton industry in the areas surrounding Dardanelle were beginning to decline in the late 60’s and early 70’s. In seeing this, Delma decided to expand on the product line that the Gin offered. Therefore, Delma began buying and selling used tractors and decided in 1971 to partner with Deutz Tractors. With the success the Deutz line brought to the Gin, Delma was approached about adding a second line of tractors. And, in 1975, Delma partnered with Kubota Tractor Corp. and began selling Kubota tractors as well. Both of these tractor companies at the time were small, with Kubota only offering four models. In 1976, Yell County Gin stopped ginning cotton due to the cotton crop moving out of Western Arkansas. However, by this time, Delma and his son David had grown two relatively unknown brands into common existence in the Arkansas River Valley.
With success during the 1980’s came different challenges. David left in 1983 to open up his own tractor dealership in a nearby town and in 1990 Delma was having thoughts of retirement. In fact, Delma gave up the two lines of tractors he worked so hard to establish in the area and "retired". But, retirement only lasted for two days. Delma decided retirement was not for him and went back to work buying and selling used tractors at the Gin for the next 14 years.
