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.
Neonicotinoids Affecting Male Honeybee Fertility, Study Finds
A new study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B shows that two insecticides can significantly reduce male honeybees ability to reproduce. Thiamethoxam and clothianidin are two chemicals from the neonicotinoid family of insecticides. Neonicotinoids have been shown by other studies to harm the health of individual bees and the reproductive ability of female insects, according to a recent article in the New York Times. The two chemicals used in the study were banned in the Europe 2013, but have continued use in United States. The EPA plans to release risk assessments on neonicotinoids in December.
Mike Hoffman Set to Retire, Took Toro to New Heights
Mike Hoffman is retiring after 11 years as Toro CEO at the end of this year. Since 2005 when he was named CEO, Toro’s net income has doubled to $202 million (in 2015), on a sales increase of 40 percent to $2.4 billion. The value of the stock over the decade rose 300 percent to an all-time high of more than $91 per share recently. Hoffman, 61, joined Toro in 1977, according to a recent article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Hoffman is giving way to Richard M. Olson as president and CEO, effective Nov. 1, 2016.
Andrew Kevin Steps Down as BrightView CEO
Two months and two days after officially launching its brand, BrightView announced on July 21 that Andrew Kerin is stepping down as CEO of the company. Kerin is succeeded by interim CEO Pat Velasco as BrightView seeks a permanent CEO.
Chris Young Headlines Case Construction Labor of Love 2016
Case Construction Equipment will host “Labor of Love” 2016 on Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 5, 2016), featuring headliner and award-winning country music star Chris Young. Proceeds from the concert will benefit Team Rubicon, a disaster response organization comprised of more than 36,000 veterans and first responders.
Stay Green Inc. Received 7 Awards From CLCA
Stay Green Inc., a Santa Clarita-based landscape company, received seven awards from the San Fernando Valley chapter of the California Landscape Contractors Association’s (CLCA) 57th annual Landscape Beautification Awards. The annual Landscape Beautification Awards Banquet was July 9 at Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City. Stay Green received the following first-place awards:
- Medium Commercial Maintenance for The Commons of Calabasas
- Public Works Maintenance for the City of Burbank
- The company also received the following Outstanding Achievement awards:
- Small Commercial Maintenance for Grace to You in Santa Clarita
- Medium Commercial Maintenance for The Lakes at Thousand Oaks
- Small HOA Maintenance for Camino del Sol in Oxnard and Alta Vista HOA in Santa Clarita
- Large HOA Maintenance for Fair Oaks Ranch in Santa Clarita
Green Roofs for Healthy Cities Releases 2015 Annual Industry Survey Report
Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC), the green roof and wall industry association, is pleased to announce the industry grew 18.5 percent with Washington, D.C. as the number one region for green roof installations in North America according to its 2015 Annual Green Roof Industry Survey. Washington, D.C. will host the 14th Annual CitiesAlive Conference from November 1-4, 2016, focusing on stormwater in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Region.
Hyundai Names David Vicha District Sales Manager
Hyundai Construction Equipment Americas announced the appointment of David Vicha as district sales manager, supporting the company’s authorized dealers throughout Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and parts of Louisiana and Missouri. A graduate of North Dakota State University, with a degree in business administration, Vicha has 21 years of experience in retail management. He spent the past five years in the equipment industry.
NHLA Offers Expanded Program for Spanish-Speakers at GIE+EXPO
The National Hispanic Landscape Alliance (NHLA) will have an expanded presence at the 2016 GIE+EXPO where attendees will have the opportunity to attend “Latino Link” sessions all three days of the show. Pre-registration is required for a breakfast meeting on Oct. 19. The $25 registration fee includes breakfast and a panel of dealer representatives and contractors discussing “Owning the Hispanic Business in your Market.” NHLA President-elect Pam Berrios will lead the panel discussion focused on earning and building Hispanic businesses in your local market.
BASF Appoints Bill Baxter as National Sales Manager
William (Bill) Baxter was appointed as National Sales Manager, Professional & Specialty Solutions at BASF. Baxter has over 25 years of experience working in the agricultural crop protection, turf and pest control markets. He also has 17 years of experience at BASF holding positions in sales management, U.S. and global marketing. Baaxter has been an active member in industry associations including the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), the Professional Pest Management Alliance (PPMA), and Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment (RISE).
‘Year of the Dealer’ HNA Theme at GIE+EXPO
The 2016 Hardscape North America (HNA) theme is “Year of the Dealer.” HNA released a schedule of educational sessions for Dealer Day, Oct. 19. The green industry’s largest trade show opens to all attendees Oct. 20-21. After Oct. 19’s educational sessions, the HNA and GIE+EXPO floors open to dealers for an exclusive preview of the show. The same evening, from 5-7 p.m., HNA will hold a reception on the show floor for dealers only.
LawnGuru Closes $1 Million Seed-Funding Round
LawnGuru reported that it closed a $1 million seed-funding round, led by Sierra Wasatch Capital. Other participants included Canyon Creek Capital, Briggs and Stratton and Sequoia Capital’s scout program. LawnGuru will use the investment to support its national growth and expansion while continuing the research and development of the company’s technology. The company has grown its revenue by over 1100 percent since 2015. This summer LawnGuru will be releasing an all-new Android version of its app.
Kathy Graham Joins Honda Motor
Honda Motor Co. named Kathy Graham southeast region communications manager. Graham brings to the job a diverse background with experience in product, corporate and internal communications. Graham worked 15 years for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and 20 major automotive product launches, full-line model previews, environmental and regulatory issues, sales, dealer network and dealer relations, employee communications, reputation management and media events.
Become IA Certified at the 2016 Irrigation Show and Education Conference
The Irrigation Association says the best way to get ahead in the irrigation business is to get certified. At the 2016 Irrigation Show and Education Conference, Dec. 5-9 in Las Vegas, Nevada, classes and exams will be available for attendees. There are seven different programs for agriculture and turf/landscape professionals.
Kurt Coffey named VP of CNH Industrial
CNH Industrial Parts & Service, the after-sales product support division of CNH Industrial, named Kurt Coffey as vice president of CNH Industrial Parts & Service in North America. Coffey succeeds Scott Harris, who recently became vice president of CNH Industrial’s CASE Construction division. Both changes resulted from Jim Hasler’s recent decision to retire as vice president of CASE Construction after 34 years with the company.
Website Dedicated to Seashore Paspalum Launched
A website dedicated to seashore paspalum turfgrass was launched on July 21 by Team UGA at the University of Georgia. Team UGA consists of experts in warm-season turfgrass breeding, pest resistance, management, licensing, certification, and foundation plant material production. The website was created to serve as a resource on the proper use, maintenance and research of this highly salt-tolerant family of grasses.
New Holland Hires Brand Marketing Communications Manager
New Holland announced the addition of Francesca Vaughn as its new Brand Marketing Communications Manager. She brings over 15 years of marketing experience to the organization and will be responsible for overall brand, product segment and channel marketing communications, in addition to management of creative agencies and vendors in North America.
Two Inductions into the AmericanHort Interior Plantscape Hall of Fame
Dr. Terril Nell, Professor Emeritus University of Florida, and Janice Goodman, Cityscapes, Boston, were recognized by AmericanHort at Cultivate’16, in Columbus, Ohio earlier in July. Honoring their contributions to the development of the interiorscape industry, the two industry leaders were inducted into the Interior Plantscape Hall of Fame. The award was established to honor those who’ve provided leadership for the development and growth of the interiorscape industry. Individuals nominated must have contributed for a minimum of 15 years to the development and permanent betterment of the interiorscape industry.
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