What are we, and what is our mission?

Bob Ladd and Associates, Inc., doing business as Ladd's, is a manufacturer’s distributor for professional (golf course) maintenance equipment, golf cars, and utility products such as off-road vehicles, tractors and specialty equipment. The key customers served are golf courses, municipalities, universities, sports fields, commercial grounds care, and individuals.

Ladd's is committed to integrity and honesty at all costs. We seek to be the market leader in service and support for all markets served.

Who are we, and how did we get here?

Our current and future endeavors are led by a key group of individuals. The co-owners, Jim Caldwell and Steve Hatchett, have been controlling operations since 1990. They have successfully taken the company to the market share leader in both golf cars and professional turf equipment.

Getting the right people drove the successes. Mitch Parker, Sales Manager, orchestrated a tremendous effort in the golf course industry to become responsive to the superintendents needs. He has created excellent customer loyalty and improved the company’s overall response to customer requests. Ladd's also gained a great boost in CustomerOne support with the hire of capable personnel in technical and parts areas.

During the first 20 years of the company’s history, competition was limited, gross earnings were excellent, and all was good. During the 80’s things began to change. Competition increased, earnings shrank and management became essential. Proper adjustments to the business desperately needed to be made. Competition and inventory on hand drove the business decisions.

When Mr. Caldwell and Mr. Hatchett arrived in 1990, Mr. Ladd had been out of retirement for a year and made significant reductions in costs of operations. The new management team had to redirect these reductions and expenses. The new business model focused on sales and support such that the customer felt very comfortable doing business with Ladd's.

How do we do it?

Ladd's has primarily gained its strength through a two-fold service program. First, our attentive outside sales team strives for frequent, effective and efficient sales calls. Secondly, we ensure that after the sale we are capable of supporting the end user with quality parts, service and consultations. We maintain proper levels of parts, highly skilled-trained-certified technicians, and facilities to handle all that customers require.

Over 2001, 02, and 03 we have undergone a deliberate process to increase and update our technology base. This upgrade has made us more efficient throughout all processes in the company. Our inventory control and order processing have seen the greatest gains. Future technology upgrades will include an integrated customer management system, and service tracking capabilities. The technology advances can be leveraged into greater customer satisfaction, which leads to return business and improved efficiency.

A new relocation strategy being pursued will help the company expand into additional markets with additional product suppliers while becoming easier to access for all customers. For 40 years Ladd's has been located in a commercial area on a low traffic street. This has not impacted those markets served through outside sales but has severely restricted our retail potential. 2005 will see Ladd's in a new facility with excellent interstate 40 accesses.

Where are we headed?

In the next five years, Ladd's will continue grow and improve. This will be happening through various changes. First, we will protect and serve our base business and become more efficient. We cannot afford to let go of some of the most loyal customers in the country. We will continue to focus heavily on their satisfaction.

Second, we opened a branch location in Bryant, Arkansas. This location is on interstate 30 between Little Rock and Hot Springs, the two largest concentrations of golf courses in our Arkansas territory. This location will support the professional turf industry with fast moving parts and a Master Certified technician.

Another phase occurs when the main location is moved to a very high visibility location in Memphis. This property is located in an upscale commercial development and covers 3.34 acres. The building is custom designed and built specifically for our business resulting in significant efficiency and performance improvements. The 40,000 square foot building has 12,000 square feet in service space and will be state of the art.