Johnson's Innovations Information

Johnson's Innovations was born through a lifetime of working with the agriculture Industry in Mid-Michigan. After being injured in a logging accident that left him crippled and unable to continue to operate his farm in Northern Michigan, my Grandfather moved his family to Ithaca Michigan in 1937 to open an Allis-Chalmers Farm Equipment dealership. Due to his rigorous work ethic and his exceptional knowledge of livestock, he was able to prosper in an era that saw the conversion from horse drawn to power equipment. Soon his three sons, Woodrow, Randall & Lyle joined him in the business that was called Johnson & Sons Farm Equipment. Johnson's continued to prosper for the next 40 years under Harry's and than brothers, Woody's and Randall's leadership. Over the years Allis-Chalmers continued to be the main focus of the dealership, but there were always new products investigated to supplement the product line. DeLaval Milking Equipment, Westinghouse Appliances, New Idea, New Holland & Fox Hay and Forage Equipment, Sund Pickups, even Studebaker & Packard cars and trucks were some of the lines carried to supplement the products and service available to our customers. This continued until the early 70's when Randall's two Sons Jan & Eric joined the business. Johnson & Sons Incorporated and Jan took over the helm. Adding Versatile 4WD tractors, and Lines of tillage equipment to complement the larger equipment, Johnson's enjoyed much success for the next 10 years.Then came the 80's. As family farms failed and the agriculture industry floundered Johnson's needed to change dramatically to survive. In 1983 Eric took over and struggled to keep things going until 1987 when the business finally closed. After five years serving as the sales manager for a large Cooperative Case/Ih dealership in the area, Eric left this job and in the spring of 1993 reopened the old dealership as a NAPA Auto Parts Store, specializing in Ag related parts and Custom Spraying Equipment. Over the last 15 years Johnson's Farm Home & Recreation Inc. ...