Davis Equipment Corporation - 50 Years

Founded in 1964, Davis Equipment Corporation entered its 50^th year in business in 2014. The Johnston, Iowa-based company has been built upon the customer expectations of providing quality equipment, parts and service, and backed by the integrity, experience and outstanding tenure of its employees.

The company was founded by Roger L. Davis, and since 1983, has been under the leadership of Roger’s son, Paul Z. Davis. Zach Davis, Paul’s son, is the third-generation of the Davis family to be working for the company, and is the Sales Manager for Turfwerks, one of Davis’ affiliate companies started in 2004. Paul’s two other sons are Alex and Colton. Alex is an Accounting Graduate from Iowa State University and currently works for a business valuation company in West Des Moines. Colton is a current Iowa State University student, working to obtain a degree in business.

During Paul’s tenure, the company has expanded geographically and in the industries that the management group and organization have had core competencies in. Davis Equipment Companies operate and do business as Turfwerks and Davis Equipment Corporation. Turfwerks was formed after an acquisition in 2004. Davis Equipment in Minnesota was purchased in 2000 and operated under the name of FEI-East until December of 2016 when it changed its name to Davis Equipment.

Davis Equipment is a distributor/dealer of crop nutrient application equipment, crop protection equipment, and equipment technology that enable the manufacturing and blending of fertilizer, and application of NH3, and liquid and dry fertilizer.

The company represents industry leading brands, while providing quality parts and service support: AGCO-Willmar, B&B, Case IH Application Equipment, Doyle Manufacturing, Precision Tank & Equipment, Raven Electronics, Simonsen Manufacturing, Wacker Articulated Loaders and NMC Articulated Loaders.

Turfwerks, which distributes turf equipment and technology to the golf, sports turf, municipal and commercial industry, represents quality manufactures such as Jacobsen, Rain Bird, Smithco, Turfco, Progressive Turf Equipment, Ventrac, Redexim, Par Aide and Standard Golf Company.

The key to Davis Equipment Companies’ success for over 50 years has been the quality of our management group, sales group and all of our employees. Davis Equipment President, Joe Funkhouser, has led Davis Equipment since 2005, beginning his career with the company as a clerk in 1979. 

Davis Equipment's average territory sales manager’s tenure is 17 years. Turfwerks’ territory sales managers are also averaging eight years of tenure with the company.

The companies operate out of sales, parts and service locations in Johnston, Iowa, Eagan, Minnesota, Omaha, Nebraska and St. Louis, Missouri.