Nortrax has announced that it has purchased the assets of John Deere Construction and Forestry equipment dealer Holt Equipment Company and began leasing Holt’s dealership sites.

Holt is based in Louisville, Ky., with territory locations in Louisville, Richmond, London and Bowling Green, and encompassing a 78-county trade area across Kentucky and Indiana.

“With this transaction Holt and Nortrax are showing an even stronger commitment to the construction and forestry equipment business. Current and future customers can expect that Nortrax will continue to serve them with integrity, quality, commitment and innovation,” said Tim J. Murphy, Nortrax president and CEO.

Nortrax, based in Tampa, Fla., is a wholly owned subsidiary of John Deere. “Combined with our operations in Tennessee, Nortrax is well suited to provide exceptional customer service to John Deere customers across Kentucky and select counties in Indiana.”

Murphy said that employment levels at the Holt locations will be maintained according to business needs and there are no plans to close existing Holt locations. “The intent is to grow the Nortrax business, and at the same time create new opportunities for all employees. Nortrax and John Deere will continue to invest resources to build a great business,” Murphy said.