Industry Update

Source: www.TurfMagazine.com

Bill Cobb Pat Cunningham

News from Ruppert

Ruppert Landscape was honored by the Jubilee Support Alliance with the 2010 Corporate Community Service Award. The award was presented to Ruppert in recognition of its substantial contributions and support.

The company hired Bill Cobb as information systems manager. He has worked for Environmental Design Group and TruGreen Landcare. Cobb holds a bachelor’s degree in ornamental horticulture from Auburn University.

Pat Cunningham was promoted to area manager in the Maryland landscape management branch. He joined the company in 2008 as a field manager. He will be responsible for the sale, renewal and production of the branch’s landscape management work, as well as estimating, design, training and development.

Foster Conant Secures New Project in Orlando

Foster Conant & Associates has secured a new contract for site-specific landscape architectural services for the Rollins Street Improvement project in Orlando, Fla. Under contract with the project’s civil engineer, VHB Miller Sellen, Inc., Foster will provide design, construction documents and construction observation. Along with landscape planting, Foster is responsible for designing the irrigation system and hardscape elements, which include sidewalks, corner plazas, ramps and architectural finishes for planters, trash containers, benches, tree guards and tree gates.

Furbish installed the first vegetated retaining wall system in West Virginia.

Furbish Installs SmartSlope

Furbish Co. announced the installation of West Virginia’s first vegetated retaining wall system, known as SmartSlope, at River Bend Gardens in Franklin. Manufactured in concrete modules, the SmartSlope system will be planted with edible thyme, which will cover the modules and transform the hardscape into a vertical landscape.

Gravely Announces Contest Winner, Sends Mower Through Georgia

Jeremy Fitzpatrick is the winner of a new Gravely Pro-Turn 200 XDZ zero-turn mower, selected at the conclusion of the Gravely “Take Your Turn” promotion. Contractors had the opportunity to test-drive a new Pro-Turn 200 mower and enter to win one. The mower is available in four models.

Gravely produced a pink Pro-Turn mower, dubbed “Pinky,” to help raise money for breast cancer research. Until October 23, 2010, consumers can buy raffle tickets as the mower travels to Georgia dealers, fairs, trade shows and other locations. One person will win Pinky at the conclusion of the fundraiser.

Renovations Complete at Dallas Nature Center

Construction is complete on the new trailhead entrance and other improvements at Twelve Hills Nature Center in the north Oak Cliff area of Dallas, Texas. Twelve Hills’ master plan was designed through a partnership between the north Oak Cliff community, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Halff Associates and TBG Partners’ Dallas office. TBG designed the trailhead entrance and provided pro bono services for the design and construction documentation of Twelve Hills.

Michael Boucher

Kioti Promotes Boucher

Kioti Tractor promoted Michael Boucher to senior director of finance and chief financial officer. He has been with Kioti since 2006 and most recently served as director of finance. Boucher holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Michigan State and a master’s in business administration from the University of Michigan.

Wiedenmann Presents Dealer of the Year Awards

Wiedenmann North America, LLC presented awards to its outstanding dealers at the North American Sales and Training Meeting, which was held at the headquarters in Savannah, Ga. Will Wolverton, general manager, was joined by owner Jürgen Wiedenmann during the awards presentation. The 2010 winners are Mike Colgan of Commercial Turf & Tractor, Salesman of the Year; Storr Tractor, East Coast Dealer of the Year; Commercial Turf & Tractor, Midwest Dealer of the Year; and Colorado Turf, West Coast Dealer of the Year.

News from John Deere

John Deere will participate in a new program testing the nation’s first rating system for sustainable landscape design, construction and maintenance. Deere will join more than 150 other projects from 34 states, as well as from Canada, Iceland and Spain, as part of an international pilot project program to evaluate the SITES rating system.

The company announced renewed plans to build a marketing and sales center in Olathe, Kan. The 126,150-square-foot facility will house up to 500 marketing professionals who will provide support and service to John Deere sales branches and agriculture and turf dealerships in the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It will meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Certification at the Gold Level. Construction is expected to be complete in August 2011.

GIE Workshops to Include Hardscape Topics

The workshop schedule for the 2010 GIE+EXPO has been announced. The trade show will be held at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, October 28-30. The workshops will include “Adding Hardscape Installation to Your Company’s Success” with Pat McCrindle of MW Hardscapes, Inc.; “Xtreme Service = Xtreme Profits” with Ed Laflamme of The Harvest Group; “Growing Revenues in a Crowded/Price-Driven Market” with Kevin Kehoe of Three Point Group, Inc.; and “27 Tips to Making Some Sales RIGHT NOW!” with Marty Grunder of Marty Grunder, Inc.

Toro Extends Partnership with U.S. Soccer Foundation

Toro announced that it has renewed its agreement with the U.S. Soccer Foundation. Toro will continue to be a member of the foundation’s Partners Resource Center as the official supporter for turfgrass maintenance equipment. The company will support the foundation’s mission to provide children in economically disadvantaged communities with easy and affordable access to quality soccer programs.

Environmental Turf Wins Marketing Awards

Environmental Turf won eight national marketing awards at the 21st annual Turf & Ornamental Communicators Association award ceremony and conference. The company won four first-place awards and three merit awards. Of those, Environmental Turf swept the “Writing for Electronic Newsletter” category, winning both the first-place and merit awards. President Stacie Zinn was honored with the Gardner Award, which recognizes the best in writing/marketing communications for the year.