Wichita, Kan., February 13, 2013 — Local Case IH dealer Straub International is moving its Wichita store to a larger location, but staying on “machinery row.”

The dealer, now at 2050 S. West St., is buying a 55,000-square-foot building nearby at 3200 May St., a near tripling of its current space.

CEO Larry Straub said he expects to open by Sept. 1. The new building represents a $3 million investment.

It is large and tall enough to bring the largest Case IH combines into the showroom, he said. The store will also display tractors, sprayers and other equipment.

The company has about 15 employees and expects gradually to increase that to perhaps 30 in the next five or so years, he said.

Straub International, with seven locations throughout Kansas, is among the largest Case IH dealers in North America. Straub said he expect to expand other locations in the state, as well.

Straub said business has been very good for farm machinery dealers in recent years. Farm incomes have generally been strong over the last decade because crop and livestock prices have been high and exports strong, despite the recent drought.

“It really has changed all the dynamics,” he said.