Industry Update

Source: www.TurfMagazine.com

New Mexico Project Chosen for Pilot Program

Rios Clementi Hale Studios’ renovation and reimagining of the landscape for the Pete V. Domenici United States Courthouse in Albuquerque, N.M., has been selected as a representative project for an international pilot program by the Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES). The renovation will restore native habit, conserve water and reintroduce a welcoming park-like environment to the 4.5-acre site. Sustainable elements to be implemented include planting drought-tolerant xeriscape to replace Kentucky bluegrass lawns and non-native plants, removing and reusing excessive hardscape, installing a rainwater collection and reuse system, and employing photovoltaics to supply the site’s energy needs. The program, which is adapted to the climate and hydrology of New Mexico’s Rio Grande basin, will also improve access to a historic sculpture on the grounds.

Ewing Appoints New Division Leader

Steve Ramsey will lead Ewing’s expanded industrial and agricultural irrigation division as national product sales manager. He will work to further extend Ewing’s product and service offering to industrial and agricultural customers.

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.

Pierre Partners with DPR

Pierre Sprinkler & Landscape partnered with DPR Construction in the annual National Rebuilding Day. The beneficiary of this year’s project was the Boys and Girls Club of Pomona, Calif. The project included a complete renovation of current facilities and the installation of a new garden.

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.

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.

Thomas Palumbo presents the 2010 World Trader of the Year award to Casey Gross and Felipe Tamayo.

Bandit Named Trader of the Year

Bandit Industries, Inc. was selected as the 2010 World Trader of the Year by the West Michigan World Trade Association in recognition of its global success and strategy. Casey Gross, sales manager, and Felipe Tamayo, international sales manager, traveled to Grand Rapids, Mich., to accept the award, presented by Thomas Palumbo, WMWTA board member.

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.

Ariens Purchases Majority Shareholding of Countax

Ariens Co. purchased a majority shareholding of Countax Ltd., a ride-on mower manufacturer based in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom. The agreement was reached with Harry Handkammer, who will remain as managing director of the company. Countax will continue to manufacture its range of mowers and maintain distribution of the Echo, Bear Cat and Shindaiwa brands in the U.K.

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.