Photo Karen Graham. Renee and Cody Todd in a 2 seat RZR flanked by Jason, Gregg, Tracy and Grant in their extensive showroom on Syer Line.
In 1950, Gerry Todd was asked by his employer Massey Ferguson to take a trip from Toronto up Highway 115 to scout a location for a new dealership. He returned unimpressed, and asked his manager what he was thinking, explaining that the area was covered in forests. Travelling off the highway on his second visit, he discovered the lush farmland hidden from view and the following year, opened his own dealership on the main street of Millbrook. Business was good, and the enterprise outgrew its original location, and Gerry and his wife Doreen built a larger location with a two stage construction, first expanding at the back and then moving the parts department to make room for a new showroom in the front.
The family lived in a house right behind the business, and most of their seven children spent some time working in the business. For daughter Tracy, working on the books provided math practise, others found work in the shop. It remains a family business today, with son Cody now at the helm as President and Sales Manager, Cody’s wife Renee managing the office, daughter Tracy runnning the Parts department and grandson Lee working in the service department. Tracy’s daughter Tiffany is also employed at the business but is off on maternity leave getting to know her newly arrived twins.
Todd Equipment is one of the oldest businesses in the Peterborough area, and has survived thanks to an appreciation for the past coupled with a vision for the future. After much discussion with his father, Cody initiated the move to the business’ current location on Syer Line in 2005. The new facility has contributed to significant growth enjoyed by the business, thanks to its high visibility from Highway 115 and its capacity to display and service the growing range of products the firm now offers. His parents would be proud to see how the business has progressed under the direction of the second generation.
Todd Equipment may have got its start as an agricultural equipment supplier, but that sector is very cyclical as well as seasonal. To diversify, the firm began early on to offer winter products such as snow clearing equipment and snowmobiles. Cody Todd has taken diversification a giant leap forward, which has paid off. Today the business is flourishing thanks to an extensive product offering targeting a broad group of customers. Most of the tractors they sell these days are not used in agriculture but are compact models used in hobby farms, in landscaping and for general property maintenance activities. Todd Equipment also offers a complete line of residential and commercial lawn and garden products from Cub Cadet, a manufacturer Cody believes is far superior to its green hued competitor.
That highway exposure at the new location has introduced the firm to a whole new group of customers from the GTA who are headed to their recreational properties, and Todd Equipment offers many different styles of motorized vehicles to help them get the most out of their leisure time. In addition to the traditional All-Terrain Vehicles, the firm also sells a complete line of utility vehicles with 2 and 4 seats which offer more comfort than the traditional ATV’s which are mounted like a motorcycle all from Polaris.
Cody believes the main factor behind their business success is staff’s focus on customer service. At Todd Equipment they service what they sell, and then some. Customer feedback confirms that once you are a Todd Equipment customer, you look no further and refer your friends and family. This combination of integrity, hard work and the willingness to take risks will help this business continue to be one of the anchors in our community. KG
