CLINTON — Randy Anderson and Mike Mangold announced Friday Mangold Ford, Eureka, has purchased Anderson Ford.

“We all have to stop something at some time,” Anderson told the Clinton Journal.  “My wife has been retired for five years, and I have grandchildren, and I decided it was time to start considering to maybe change what I’m doing.”

Anderson said he had known Mike Mangold for as long as Anderson has had the Ford dealership in Clinton, 36 years. 

“We exchange business thoughts daily,” Anderson said.  “When we started thinking about who we wanted to take over the dealership, there were other companies, but my wife and I felt good about the Mangold organization.”

Mangold has won the Ford President’s Award for customer service for 21 years.

“It just was a great fit,” Anderson said.  “And that was how the process got started.”

Anderson said he was having conversations about the change for about five years but working actively on the plan for about the past year.

“Randy is one of my best friends,” Mangold said.  “I like this community; it’s like Eureka.”

The Mangold family has operated the Ford dealership in Eureka since 1956.  Mike Mangold took over management at the age of 21.

The sale of the dealership has now completed the Ford approval process and was finalized today, Friday. 

“It went through all the banking process, all the state stuff, so Mr. Mangold, and Mangold, of Clinton, is officially the new dealership in Clinton,” Anderson said.

“These guys have run a very successful dealership for years and taken care of their customers,” Mangold said.  “We want to continue to do that.”

Mangold pointed out Anderson was a high-performance advisor to Ford Motor Company.

“Mike is going to take what we’ve done and enhance it,” Anderson said.  “He has an incredible staff.  Most of the staff members will stay here.”

Anderson has about 22 employees.

“Mike’s going to add to that, and Mike is also going to add to inventory,” Anderson said. 

Mangold will continue Anderson’s Ford Motorsport line, an important part of the dealership.  Mangold also intends to be active in the Clinton community.

“Ann and I wanted somebody to be invested in the dealership and also the community,” Anderson said. 

Anderson grew up in Lexington.

“I guess I love small towns,” Anderson said.  “Clinton is just that great feeling.  It’s been a privilege for the past 36 years to serve the community.  This community has been great to my family, been great to my children.”

Anderson has been a big supporter of local school sports, has provided track and field photos to the Journal, and sponsored local events, such as the annual Anderson Ford car show.

Anderson also praised the other car dealers in town for their competition and community involvement.

“We want to be a part of the community and serve,” Mangold said.  “We’re thankful to be here, and we want to grow on the success that’s already here.”