We’ve Been Around a Long Time and We’re Here for the Long Haul
True North Equipment has been providing quality John Deere products, services & technology solutions to growers in the northern Red River Valley since 1897. Learn more about our company, our people, the places we do business, and our mission to empower customer success, inspire our teams, and improve our communities.
Your Partner in Farming Success Since 1897
With John Deere Equipment, Service, and Technology
Since 1897, True North Equipment has been providing quality John Deere products, service and technology solutions to growers in the northern Red River Valley in Minnesota and North Dakota. In addition to eight retail locations across Minnesota and North Dakota, a company resource and training center in Grand Forks, ND provides training opportunities for customers and employees.
The Mission of
True North Equipment
Empower Customer Success
Inspire Our Team
Improve Our Communities
The Values of
True North Equipment
INTEGRITY
We strive to do things right the first time, but if we make a mistake, we own it and we fix it.
PARTNERSHIP
We are a team with our customers & employees. Adding value through communication & celar expectations.
TRUST
We are honest adn we keep our promises.
COMMITMENT
We are committed to our communities. We support and give back where we live and work.
QUALITY
We invest in our team so they can provide high quality customer experiences.
VALUE
We believe in the value of John Deere. We stay focused on delivering value to our customers.
Our History
- 1897 – Brosnahan & Olson Company begins selling John Deere plows in Grafton, ND.
- 1931 – Farmers begin trading horses for John Deere 2-cylinder tractors at Grafton’s Farup Auto Company.
- 1930s – Farup secures exclusive rights to sell John Deere equipment.
- 1940s – Grafton Chevrolet dealership Overbye & Schidmore take over the John Deere line.
- 1948 – Local farmer Oliver Gorder is hired to oversee John Deere sales.
- 1949 – Gorder & Paul Torgeson purchase the John Deere franchise and open a new Grafton location.
- 1960 – Deere & Company introduces the new 4010 row-crop tractor.
- 1965 – Gorder & Torgeson Implement receive top row-crop sales award.
- 1975 – Oliver Gorder retires. Lloyd Holy, Deere & Co. territory manager, purchases the business and forms Grafton Equipment Co.
- 1977 – New facility opens on an eight-acre lot west of Grafton, still operating today.
- 1982 – Oliver Gorder’s son, Dan Gorder, joins as parts salesman, later becoming partner.
- 1997 – Dan Gorder named General Manager & President.
- 1999 – Gorder & Holy purchase assets of Forks Equipment in Grand Forks.
- 2002 – Expansion into Kennedy, MN with Urbaniak Implement acquisition.
- 2006 – John Oncken becomes partner & VP. Grafton Equipment acquires Pederson Implement in Northwood, ND.
- 2011 – Grafton Equipment officially becomes True North Equipment.
- 2013 – Groundbreaking for the True North Equipment Resource Center in Grand Forks.
- 2019 – True North Equipment acquires Evergreen Implement Co., adding four MN locations.
- 2020 – True North Equipment purchases the Wells Concrete building in Grand Forks, creating the “IMPACT Center.”
- Today – True North Equipment continues to be a leader in providing farmers in the Red River Valley quality John Deere products, parts, service, training and producer education.
Schedule a Service Inspection
Keep your equipment running at its best with expert inspections tailored to catch issues before they become costly repairs.
Check Out Our Used Equipment
Find reliable, pre-owned machinery inspected and ready to deliver value to your operation at an affordable price.
Join the Team
Build your career with a company that values people, growth, and making a difference in our farming communities.
Our Locations
With eight retail locations across Minnesota and North Dakota, plus a resource and training center in Grand Forks, True North Equipment is proud to support growers across the northern Red River Valley. Wherever you farm, our teams are nearby with the equipment, parts, service, and technology you need to succeed.