Pesticide Ban, Company Acquisitions, JCB Donates Backhoe, Promotions: This Week’s Industry News

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Want to keep up with the latest news in lawn care and landscaping? Check back every Thursday for a quick recap of recent happenings in the green industry.

Park West partners with KCOMM

KCOMM, a marketing communications firm, will provide public relations, Internet marketing and strategic relationship development for new partner Park West Companies, a provider of landscape construction & management and tree care.

Briggs & Stratton CEO Todd Teske Receives Award

The Beta Gamma Sigma International Honor Society at the University of Wisconsin awarded Todd Teske, CEO of Briggs & Stratton, with a 2016 Business Achievement Award. Teske was one of only three nationwide recipients recognized by the 103-year-old global honor society this year.

Industry Veteran Pushes Back Against South Portland Pesticide Ban

David Domingos, owner of Northeast Lawn & Golf Services, recently made his feelings known about a proposed ordinance to mandate the use of “organic-only” pest and weed control on private and pubic property. Domingo, in a letter shared by the “Press Herald” newspaper, wrote that while the intent of the ordinance is a good one, “the real issue is that a total ban takes away all of the useful tools we all count on to protect our families and private property. Domingos has been in business 25 years and is a strong proponent of integrated pest management.

The Bruce Company Acquires Landscape Care Company

The Bruce Company, located in Wisconsin, recently acquired Landscape Care Company, Verona, Wisconsin. The owners and 10 Landscape Care employees joined The Bruce Company’s 350 employees. The Bruce Company offers residential and commercial landscape design and construction, landscape maintenance, interiorscapes, ponds and water features, irrigation, landscape lighting and snow and ice management in addition to its retail garden center and 500-acre nursery.

Crawford Landscaping Has Named New President

Crawford Landscaping has named W. Keith Mahan, former vice president, as president. He has been in the golf course and landscaping industry for 19 years. An avid fisherman, golfer and boater, Keith lives in Naples with his family. Founded in 2004, Crawford Landscaping has a staff over 170 serving 220+ commercial and residential clients from Fort Myers to Marco Island.

Vectorworks Announces New CEO, Other Promotions

Dr. Biplab Sarkar has been appointed to CEO of Vectorworks after being an employee for more than 16 years and chief technology officer for eight of those years. Sarkar succeeds Sean Flaherty as CEO following a four-month selection process. Along with the appointment of new positions at Vectorworks, the Nemetschek Group Supervisory Board has appointed Sean Flaherty to the full-time position of chief strategy officer. Darick DeHart is now vice president of product management and Steve Johnson is now vice president of product development.

Stu Lewis Becomes Sales Director of Massey Services

Tony Massey, president of Massey Services, promoted Stu Lewis to sales director. He will be responsible for both Massey’s commercial and residential sales business. Lewis joined Massey Services in 2015 and has served as a consultant of sales presentation techniques, a sales inspector and a sales manager. He helped implement a sales training module at Massey University, a company training program for team members.

Paul Wade Joins Takeuchi as Regional Sales Manager

Takeuchi-US recently hired Paul Wade as Midwest regional business manager. In his new role, Wade will be responsible in his territory for managing dealer relationships, developing new and existing markets, assisting with inventories and directing sales planning and program promotions. Residing in Naperville, Illinois, Wade has nearly 20 years of experience in the sales and marketing fields.

LebononTurf Announces Promotion of Jeremy Bigler

LebanonTurf has appointed Jeremy Bigler to landscape channel manager. Previously serving as product manager, Bigler’s resume includes 16 years of technical experience in metal products.

JCB Donates 3CX Backhoe Loader to Ecuador After Earthquake

JCB is donating a 3CX backhoe loader worth $100,000 to help rescue and clean-up efforts in Ecuador, which was hit by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake on April 16, resulting in the deaths of at least 570 people and injuries to over 7,000 people. JCB is supplying the backhoe to the Provincial Council of Manabi through its Ecuadorian dealer, Automekano. The machine will be put to work in the province’s Pedernales Canton, where more than 90 percent of homes have been destroyed by the earthquake.

TruGreen CEO Says His Company Will Grow the Industry

TruGreen CEO David Alexander told the Memphis Business Journal his company’s recent merger with Scotts LawnService—giving the new company more than 2.3 million customers—will not only grow his company it will grow the market itself. TruGreen is now believed to have approximately 33 percent of the professional lawn care market. The next closest competitor has just four percent, reported the MBJ. “There are about 7 million customers who use professional lawn care, and another 70 million lawns that need to be served,” Alexander told the MBJ. “What we think will happen is our brand will become so strong we’ll be able to tap into those other customers and expand the entire industry.”

Mitsubishi Fuso names Scott Coyle VP, Service Operations

Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America, Inc. has promoted Scott Coyle to VP Service Operations for North America. Coyle started with MFTA in May 1997 as a Field Service Manager for the New York/New Jersey area. In May 2001, he was promoted to National Service Manager and, in September 2013, he was named Director, Service Operations. Coyle will continue to work from MFTA’s Logan Township, NJ, headquarters and will be responsible for overseeing all service operations across North America.

Stay Green Inc. Holds 1st Annual Training for Safety and Success

On April 12 & 13, over 270 team members from Stay Green‘s Southern California service regions came together to focus on training. The two-day event provided a combined 2,000-plus hours of training and each employee received certification at the end. The 1st Annual Training for Safety and Success event was sponsored by several of Stay Green’s equipment partners including: Bishop, CAT, CAT-Quinn Rentals, Ditch Witch, John Deere, Stihl, Stotz, Target Specialty Products and Vermeer. The training sessions were focused on proper use, maintenance and safety for a variety of equipment including: handheld tools and equipment, sprayers and fertilizer spreaders, chippers, standing and ride-on mowers as well as tractors and excavators. The training also included a session on prevention of heat-related illness.

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