GIE+EXPO Expects Record-Setting Year, Minneapolis Commons Makeover: This Week’s Industry News

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Industry News Roundup

Record-Setting 2016 GIE+EXPO Just Weeks Away
Topping the last two record-setting years, the 2016 GIE+EXPO is expected to be even bigger. More than 230 new exhibitors, along with increased exhibit space and new education with big-name speakers on the lineup. GIE+EXPO starts Wednesday, Oct. 19 for Dealer Day and Oct. 20-21 for all industry participants. Here are some reasons GIE+EXPO is anticipating another record-setting show:

  • Attendee pre-registration is running ahead of last year’s 11 percent increase.
  • Exhibitor participation is up with 230 new exhibitors, an increase in space for many large-scale exhibitors and a total of over 900 GIE+EXPO and HNA exhibits, indoors and out. The indoor show floor will be 80,000 square feet larger — a 17 percent increase over 2015.
  • The Outdoor Demonstration Area will be 20 acres, up from 19. It will feature some elaborate exhibits, including UTVs and other exciting features.
  • More new product introductions are expected, with a sold out New Products Showcase and more than 30 exhibitors hosting press conferences.
  • Hardscape North America, co-located with GIE+EXPO, has increased in size by over 25% over 2015. It will be in the North Wing this year to accommodate its growth.
  • Over 700 GIE+EXPO contractor attendees are expected to sign up for hardscape education presented by the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute.
  • Pre-registration for education is up across the board, and new programming, including the Dealer Day keynote luncheon, two Power-Up morning sessions for dealers and an opening keynote for landscapers, is going strong.
  • The new UTV University is expected to draw over 350 registrants.
  • The Kentucky Turfgrass Council has moved its annual Golf & Sports Turf Management Conference to be held at the Kentucky Exposition Center alongside GIE+EXPO.

Porous Pave Installed on 4.2-Acre Minneapolis Commons
The Downtown Commons in Minneapolis, completed a project this past August with seven acres of Porous Pave XL permeable pavement totaling 19,000 square feet. The 4.2-acre public park is a green space adjacent to U.S. Bank Stadium, the new home of the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings. The Downtown Commons also feature 120 permeable tree surrounds created using 3,000 square feet of Porous Pave XLS.

Spartan Mower Manufacturer Plans Major Expansion
Intimidator Inc., a manufacturer of the Spartan brand of zero-turn mowers and 4×4 utility vehicles, is building a second facility, bringing about 400 new full-time jobs to the region over the next four years, reports the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. The expansion is the result of continued growth in the UTV market with the introduction of powerful new 800cc models, according to the report.

Takeuchi Announces New Dealer in Minnesota
Takeuchi-US has announced that Minnesota Truck & Tractor, Inc., will sell the entire Takeuchi product lineup of excavators, skid steers, track loaders and wheel loaders, serving Mankato, Minnesota and surrounding areas. The Mankato-based company started in 1988 as a truck and trailer repair service. In 2002, Minnesota Truck & Tractor started adding premium lines of equipment.

California Nursery Recycles Irrigation Water; Saves 180 Million Gallons
Altman Plants, Inc. has developed a program to save water while still irrigating the plants on its 400-acre nursery. They capture irrigation runoff for reuse on the plants and lower its water use. In September, Altman celebrated more than 180 million gallons of water saved since the reuse program began operation. Less than two years ago, Altman Plants secured grant funding from Western Municipal Water District and The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California to implement the water-reuse system.

Super Bowl Champ Earnest Byner to Speak at OTF Conference & Show
Former NFL running back, Pro-Bowler and Super Bowl champ Earnest Byner will present the keynote address on Tuesday, Dec. 6 during the 50th annual Ohio Turfgrass Foundation Conference & Show in Columbus, Ohio, December 5-8. Following the keynote presentation, Byner will sign autographs at Syngenta’s booth during the tradeshow floor reception. Byner will also have copies of his book available for purchase. The Ohio State University Green Industry Short Course will once again run concurrent to the OTF conference, offering opportunities to learn more about trees, ornamentals and the entire landscape. Other presenters include:

  • Aaron Patton, Purdue University
  • Dr. Frank Rossi, Cornell University
  • Dr. Jim Kerns, NC State University
  • Dr. John Sorochan, University of Tennessee
  • Dr. Mike Fidanza, Penn State University
  • Brad Jakubowski, Penn State University
  • Tim Moraghan, Aspire Golf
  • Ross Kurcab, CSFM, Denver Broncos (retired); Championship Sports Turf Systems
  • Jeff Fowler, Penn State University

People on the Move

Recent promotions and staff changes among green industry companies.

Shawn McDole Joins Crawford Landscaping Group
Crawford Landscaping Group hired Shawn McDole as its chief financial officer. Founded in 2004, Crawford Landscaping has a staff of 170 serving over 220 commercial and residential clients from Fort Myers to Marco Island. The company is ranked among the top five percent of landscaping companies in the nation

Grunder Landscaping Promotes Raul Hidalgo
Grunder Landscaping Co. (GLC) promoted Raul Hidalgo to the position of Group Leader for the company’s LandKeeping Division. Hidalgo’s managerial experience and his tenure at GLC as a team leader and service manager make him qualified for this new role according to a press release from the company.

Nicholas Sucic Retiring from Davey Tree
Nicholas R. Sucic, vice president and controller for The Davey Tree Expert Company stepped down as the principal accounting officer September 16, and is retiring from the company effective December 31, 2016. Assistant Controller Thea Sears will be the company’s next controller. Sears, who joined the company in 1993, previously served as manager of financial accounting.

Gothic Landscape Promotes Darrin Shannon to Branch Manager
Gothic Landscape, based here, named Darrin Shannon as branch manager of the Riverside, California office. Shannon formerly served as sales manager for the California region. Shannon joined Gothic in 2001 as a superintendent for the Greater Los Angeles Region, was promoted to area manager in 2003, moved into an account executive position for Southern California in 2005 and promoted to sales manager of California the same year.

Dan Birrenkott Named President of Crary Industries
Crary Industries, Inc. promoted Dan Birrenkott to the position of President. For the past nine years Birrenkott served as the vice president of finance for Crary Industries. Crary manufactures a variety of agricultural equipment along with ECHO Bear Cat line of outdoor power equipment, and is a subsidiary of ECHO Incorporated.