Greetings from Dyersville!

I can’t believe it is December already. November was a busy month full of surprises. The month started out quickly as the Walters family added another member. My grandson, Jack David was born on November 2nd.

The next weekend was the National Farm Toy Show here in Dyersville. It was great to be able to talk to everyone at the show and display our new items. The show was also special for me personally as I was inducted into the National Farm Toy Museum Hall of Fame. I’ve been working on the Ertl brand now for the last 25 years. One thing I learned early on that it takes a team effort. Even though I was inducted into the HOF, this award is dedicated to the entire team here in Dyersville, as well as globally, that make all of our great products happen.

Now that it’s December let’s talk about some new farm toys that have recently been announced. We’re finally able to announce our next Prestige Elite items. We are planning to tool 1:16th scale John Deere WA-14 & WA-17 tractors in high detail. Ertl has never produced these tractors and feel it’s time for replicas to be built. These tractors will be produced similar to our S780 combine. We will only do one production run and then we will destroy the tooling. More information will be provided in 2021 as we finalize the plan and provide information to John Deere dealers for pre-ordering these units. We plan to include a few surprises as well.

New 1:64th products coming out over the next few months include a Case IH AFS Connect Magnum 400 tractor, (Stock # 44210) John Deere 7020 Tractor with FFA logo, (Stock # 45801) & the New Holland SP410F Self Propelled Sprayer. (Stock # 13950) We’ve updated the cab, cab roof and rinse tank for this sprayer to keep it current. This is the largest self propelled sprayer we currently offer with a 1600 tank and 120 foot booms.

As we close 2020 I hope this blog finds you safe and sound. 2020 has been an interesting year and I hope 2021 will be even better for everyone. Our family always tries to get together over the holidays. This year will be different, but we’ll find a way to connect and count our blessings. Stay safe!!

Until next time,

Bill