Murphy Tractor & Equipment Co., one of Deere & Co.’s largest North American construction equipment dealer groups, has signed a letter of intent to expand its territory with the asset purchase of eight Nortrax Equipment locations in Ohio. The Ohio locations include Brunswick (in the Cleveland area), Canton, Cincinnati, Columbus, Lima, Painesville, Youngstown and Vandalia.

Murphy Tractor & Equipment, based in Wichita, Kan., has 16 locations in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.

“The acquisition of the Ohio locations fits within our strategic growth plan,” said Tom Udland, president of Murphy Tractor. “The anticipated national economic recovery and the resultant infrastructure rebuilding bode well for our industry. We are excited to become involved in Ohio with its redesigned business climate. It is our intent to significantly increase the size of the business in Ohio including increased employment.”

Nortrax, based in Tampa, Fla., is also a Deere construction equipment dealer.