Mid-America Power Outdoor Equipment Inc., 420 S. Kingshighway, is under new ownership.

Rick Klipfel, who was vice president of the firm, and Kenny Heuring are new partners in the operation of the lawn and garden equipment retail business.

Klipfel, who joined the firm more than a decade ago and has served as sales manager, general manager and vice president, and Heuring, who has been with the firm about seven years, purchased the business from the Beussink family.

Ernie Beussink is president of Mid-America Distributing, which was a sister company to Mid-America Power.

Mid-America Distributing, a wholesale firm, is situated alongside Highway 74, near the South Kingshighway intersection. It calls on dealers throughout Southern Illinois, Southeast Missouri, Western Missouri, Kansas, Kentucky, Indiana, Nebraska and Iowa.

"Our business at Mid-America Power will be sales and service of small, lawn and garden equipment," said Klipfel. "We have some of the big-name brands, including John Deere, Poulan Pro, Bolen, Snapper and Troy-Built."

Mid-America came into being in 1978.

The firm dates back more than 45 years when it was founded as a division of Schneider Equipment, which introduced an outdoor and garden equipment line in 1946.

In 1978, property was purchased at 420 S. Kingshighway for the outdoor and garden store, and it was renamed Mid-America Power Outdoor Equipment.