WICHITA — The Berry Companies last month acquired the Bobcat dealership operations of Dallas-based Conley Lott Nichols, Berry owner Walter Berry told RER. CLN's Bobcat dealership operations have branches in Irving, Fort Worth and Longview, Texas. CLN will continue to operate its heavy equipment division in Dallas and San Antonio, Berry said.

The acquisition adds to Berry's Bobcat dealerships in Denver, Kansas City, Houston, and Tulsa, Okla. Berry also owns Berry Tractor & Equipment with four locations in Kansas and southwest Missouri; Berry Material Handling with three facilities; and Superior Broom.

“We will be taking over their Ft. Worth and Longview locations,” Berry told RER. “We will co-locate with their ‘heavy’ division in Irving until we find a new location for us, somewhere in Dallas. They will remain in the Irving location.”

Based in Wichita, Kan., Berry Companies, No. 93 on the RER 100, struggled through a major dropoff in business in 2009, but is still open to considering expansion opportunities in the Midwest that fit in terms of business synergies and culture.

Berry said the company's revenues were down 35 to 40 percent in 2009 but significant cuts in expenses and staff has enabled it to remain profitable.