Yankton / South Dakota / United States
Koletzky Implement was started in April 1962 by Robert Koletzky, age 23, when he purchased the business from Lyle Hawley. The business was located at 211 West 2nd Street, just off the North end of the Meridian Bridge in downtown Yankton, SD. Koletzky Implement began operations in the oldest hotel in Yankton which was originally called the Smithsonian Hotel, built in the 1880s, and later became known as the Commercial House. It was rumored that the outlaw Jesse James had stayed at the hotel a time or two. The hotels many rooms were converted for parts, service and sales. The company started with one part-time and two full-time employees, and had two contracts at that time, Allis Chalmers (included Gleaner) and Oliver Farm Equipment. In 1975, the New Holland franchise was added. In 1978, the business was moved into a new, 8, 500 square foot building at 2302 East Hwy 50. In 1984, the Ford Tractor franchise was added, along with several employees. One year later Ford Motor Company purchased New Holland bringing about the Ford New Holland Corporation. By the end of 1989, Koletzky Implement had grown to 16, 000 square feet along with 6, 000 square feet of warehouse space and 12 employees. In 1988, three companies clearly emerged from the take-over times and comprised Koletzky Implements major lines. Ford New Holland Versatile became one, adding Versatile to the Ford New Holland brand lines. Second, White-New Idea was formed by Allied Products after consolidating Oliver, Minneapolis-Moline, Cockshutt and New Idea. Duetz-Allis was the third new company formed from the Duetz-Fahr Corporation buyout of Allis Chalmers. Jae Koletzky, Bobs son, joined the business full-time in May 1992 and began selling equipment and learning how the business operated. In 1996, health problems slowed Bobs full time involvement in running the business and the day-to-day business decisions were eventually turned over to Jae. 2005 was a pivotal year for the future of Koletzky Implement as Jae made a decision to invest in a major building expansion which involved demolishing most of the three existing service buildings and constructing a new service facility (200 x 120 x 24). The new facility, which will serve the needs of area farmers for years to come, is a clear indication of Koletzky Implements commitment to area ag producers and the business future. That same year, Jae purchased the remaining land and building from Bob & Carole Koletzky completing the transition to the next generation. Koletzky Implement currently employs 16 and has plans to add service and sales staff in the near future. Current lines of equipment include New Holland, AGCO (White Planters), Kinze, Krause, Demco and Grasshopper. Many other shortlines are handled as well. Koletzky Implement is a 4-time winner of the prestigious Presidents Award from New Holland exemplifying a level of customer satisfaction that is second to none in the ag business. Bob has pretty much seen and done it all in the farm equipment business. His business career spans 5 decades with expertise along the way in every facet of the business at one time or another. From the early 1960s through the booming 1970s he prospered and grew the business he bought at age 23. He survived the farm crisis of the 80s and prospered again in the 90s. When Jae, his son, joined the business in the early 90s it eventually helped him slide out of the business full-time and start his second career. He purchased the family farm near Tabor, SD from his father Gordon, added a few more acres, and continues to farm today. Bob enjoys fishing, hunting, playing cards and is active in the local Elks lodge. Oh, and did we mention FISHING! Bob and his wife of 45 years, Carole, have two children, 6 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. Larry grew up on a farm 3 miles North of Menno, South Dakota. He graduated from Menno High School in 1965 and that fall enrolled at Southern State College in Springfield, SD in automotive and die
