Industry Update

Source: www.TurfMagazine.com

STEC to Distribute RotaDairon Products

STEC Equipment, Inc. is now the North American distributor of the RotaDairon turf line, offering the complete range of stone buriers, seeders and brush cutters. RotaDairon Emrex, Inc. will continue as general importer and warehousing for the different RotaDairon lines in the Americas, with STEC acting as distributor for all turf products.

The Urban family pond and side view of the house after installation of two aeration systems.

Otterbine Donates Aeration Systems

Otterbine Barebo, Inc. joined ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” program to donate two of its most energy-efficient aeration systems to the Urban family of Hamburg, Pa. Watkins Architect Firm contacted Otterbine for assistance with a distressed pond for the project. The company donated and installed an Air Flo 2 system and .5 hp AquaSeries Deluxe package.

UMass Offers Training for Professional Turf Managers

The University of Massachusetts will offer its Winter School for Turf Managers from January 3 to February 17, 2011, at its campus in Amherst. Winter School immerses students in a full-time, seven-week program, focused solely on the management of fine turf and taught by UMass faculty and staff. It is a comprehensive certificate program designed to furnish turf managers with the concepts essential to maintaining high-quality turf, while instilling a sense of environmental stewardship and fiscal responsibility. For more information, visit www.umassturf.org and click on “Certificate Programs,” call 413-545-5202 or e-mail academicprograms@contined.umass.edu.

Use of Biological Products Growing Among Turf Professionals

Turf care professionals, landscape contractors and golf course superintendents are increasingly incorporating biological products into their turf fertility programs to improve plant health and appearance, as well as to complement their environmentally sustainable practices. Those were among the findings of a survey conducted on behalf of LebanonTurf to gauge the acceptance of biologicals as an emerging fertilization category. Survey respondents were asked to consider biologicals as products based on a wide range of living organisms, including microbes, bacteria, mycorrhizae, sea plant extracts and hormones, that are added to a fertilizer prill or delivered as standalone products.

New Venue, New Management for New Jersey Show

The NJ Plants trade show will be presented by MAC Events January 25-26, 2011, at the New Jersey Convention Center in Edison. The show’s educational programs will offer a focused update on the latest business and horticultural practices. Sessions covering new plants and design tools, effective merchandising and techniques for thriving in a shifting economy are presented in cooperation with the New Jersey Nursery & Landscape Association. Pesticide credit courses will be presented by the Rutgers Office of Professional Education. For details, call 800-332-3976 or e-mail Kevin@MacEvents.com.

Mid-Atlantic Services Offers Custom Sprayers

Mid-Atlantic Services announced that it has expanded its line of custom-designed products to include lawn and turf sprayers. The new line of spray units is designed to mount on trucks, tractors and utility vehicles.

Duo Wins Award Promoting Green Practices

The New York State IPM Program presented an Excellence in IPM Award to Dawn Dailey O’Brien and George Hudler. Since 1994, they have produced Branching Out, an integrated pest management newsletter used by arborists, landscapers and growers. The newsletter connects the research community with landscape professionals, supplying information to safely keep ornamental trees and shrubs from being ruined by insects or diseases. To read Branching Out, visit http://branchingout.cornell.edu.

Rick Whitman

News from Ruppert Landscape

Ruppert Landscape announced the hiring of Rick Whitman as operations manager in the Maryland landscape construction branch. He has been in the landscape construction industry for over 20 years.

The Metro Washington and Virginia chapters of the Associated Builders & Contractors named Ruppert its Landscape Subcontractor of the Year in the 2010 Excellence in Construction Awards program. This is the sixth time Ruppert has received the award, which is given to the subcontractor that maintains the highest standards for quality and craftsmanship on award-winning projects.

Kioti Expands Dealer Network

Kioti Tractor announced the continued expansion of its dealer network with the appointment of four new dealerships across the U.S. These dealers are Novia Industries, Ocala, Fla.; JJ Farm Sales & Service LLC, Muskegon, Mich.; Gilchrist Tractor, Inc., Mena, Ariz.; and Z-4 Enterprises, Inc., Alcalde, N.M.

Tidewater Enters Distribution Agreement

Timberwolf Mfg. has signed an exclusive distribution deal with Tidewater Power Equipment of Virginia Beach, Va. The distribution deal covers the states of Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, North and South Carolina and Tennessee.

TruGreen Launches New Website for Commercial Customers

TruGreen has strengthened its outreach to commercial customers with a new website designed to provide businesses and other organizations with the latest information on lawn and landscape care. Visitors to the site, www.trugreencommercial.com, will find information on TruGreen’s services in landscape maintenance, tree and shrub care, insect and disease control, fertilization and weed control, seasonal color plantings, and irrigation evaluations, maintenance and renovation. In addition, businesses can easily access information about their local TruGreen branch through the site.

Ariens’ new company logo.

Ariens Plans to Consolidate Brands, Introduces New Logo

Ariens Co. has set a timeline to phase out the EverRide and Great Dane brands of commercial mowers. The change will take place at the end of the 2011 lawn and garden season in order to allow current distributors and dealers time to prepare their own transition plans. The company plans to focus on Gravely as its core professional brand. Ariens will provide technical service, parts and warranty programs for current EverRide and Great Dane products through the 2011 season.

The company will change its corporate logo in an effort to distinguish the Ariens Co. logo from the Ariens brand logo used to identify Ariens Sno-Thro products and Ariens lawn and garden products. The new script logo is based on an earlier logo from the 1960s in an effort to reinforce the longevity of the company history, which dates back to 1933.

Allan Block Continues to be Authorized Provider of IACET CEUs

The International Association for Continuing Education & Training has awarded Allan Block Corp. the Authorized Provider status. IACET Authorized Providers are the only organizations approved to offer IACET Continuing Education Units. The recognition period extends for five years, and includes all programs offered or created during that time. To achieve the status, Allan Block completed a rigorous application process and successfully demonstrated adherence to the ANSI/IACET 1-2007 standard.

Stens Announces New Vice Presidents

Stens expanded its executive leadership team to support current staffing needs and future growth opportunities.

Dan Heeren was named vice president of sales and marketing. He has over 20 years’ experience in the hardware and retail markets. In his new role, he will be responsible for providing strategic direction to the leadership team to grow the brand and product sales.

Kevin Mair was appointed to the position of vice president of operations and supply chain management. Previously, he worked in the construction and home improvement industry and has a proven history of improving efficiencies and productivity, as well as driving lean initiatives.

Paul Hedinger was named senior product manager. He has over 18 years of engineering experience and has held various managerial roles in the engineering field. He will work with vendors and Stens staff to set the direction and priorities of the product team.

Industry professionals at FarmLinks.

Improved Educational Source for LCOs at FarmLinks

FarmLinks at Pursell Farms in Sylacauga, Ala., has partnered with Agrium Advanced Technologies, BASF Corp., Toro Co. and other companies in the industry to launch several new educational pilot programs, including one designed specifically for lawn care operators. These solutions-based programs provide an excellent balance of education, collaboration and recreation. Several sessions are planned for 2011, and interested professionals may call 877-292-3276 or e-mail info@farmlinks.org for details.

News from John Deere

The John Deere Horicon Works, Horicon, Wis., announced production of the company’s 500,000th Gator utility vehicle, marking the milestone by building one of John Deere’s latest models, the XUV825i. The heritage of the Gator product began in 1987, when John Deere first built utility machines that preceded the Gator’s design and creation. In 1993, the company launched the Gator utility vehicle, and there are now 17 different models.

John Deere Power Systems announced that its PowerTech PVX 6.8L above 174 hp and PowerTech PSX 6.8L engines have been certified by the Environmental Protection Agency and European Union as compliant with Interim Tier 4 and Stage III B regulations. These engines join the certified 9.0L engine models.

Daniel Larsen

Felling Adds Larsen to Sales Force

Felling Trailers, Inc. announced the appointment of Daniel “Boone” Larsen to the position of inside/outside sales representative. Larsen joined the Felling team in June 2010. He has worked in the transportation industry for over 20 years and has an extensive background in sales and service.

Liberty Tire Expands, Appoints General Counsel

Liberty Tire Recycling has expanded in the New York and Ontario market areas with the acquisition of High Tread International. The new Liberty Tire facility in Lockport, N.Y., complements previously acquired assets in the Buffalo area, and includes an experienced management team. Liberty Tire has also been working with the High Tread team on the design and construction of a new facility in Brantford, Ont.

The company named Frank DeCarlo as general counsel. He has 20 years of high-level business, legal and leadership experience. Previously, he worked for the Software Engineering Institute at Carnegie Mellon University.

Bird-B-Gone Launches Online Store

Bird-B-Gone, Inc. has officially launched an online store. The complete line of professional-grade bird deterrents can now be purchased through an easy-to-navigate shopping cart. The online store can be found at www.birdbgone.com/bird-control-store.

Terex Awarded Contract to Build Telehandlers

Terex Corp. was awarded an $18.9 million contract to build 200 Terex TX51-19MD Light Rough Terrain Forklifts for the U.S. Marine Corps through its Terex Government Programs unit in Stafford, Va. The initial delivery order is in the amount of $9 million for over 100 units.

Gehl and De Lage Landen Announce Partnership

Gehl Co. and De Lage Landen Financial Services, Inc. announced that they have entered into a strategic partner program agreement to provide equipment finance services throughout the U.S. The agreement will provide retail financing and dealer rental fleet financing programs. De Lage Landen will offer tailored loan and lease financing directly to registered U.S. Gehl and Mustang brand dealers and to end-user customers seeking equipment finance solutions.

From left, Glenn Herold, Brown’s Concrete Products; Rick Stinchcombe, Rosetta Hardscapes; and Mel and Bill Hajdu, Decorative Landscape Stone.

Rosetta Announces Survey Contest Winner

Rosetta Hardscapes held a contest asking landscape contractors to give feedback on their experiences installing Rosetta products. Rosetta’s corporate office held a random drawing to select winner Bill Hajdu of Decorative Landscape Stone in Otterville, Ont. Decorative Landscape Stone distributes and installs Rosetta products manufactured by Brown’s Concrete Products, Ltd., Sudbury, Ont. Hajdu received a 40-inch flat-screen television.

Stihl Announces Election, Award

Fred J. Whyte, president of Stihl, Inc., was elected as chairman of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute during the association’s 58th annual meeting. Whyte’s term will be for one year.

Popular Mechanics honored Stihl with a 2010 Breakthrough Award for the Stihl HSA 65 hedge trimmer, the first product with 36-volt Stihl lithium ion battery technology. The trimmer was one of 10 products recognized with the award, which celebrates the “most brilliant innovators and products of the year.”