News from around the Green industry
GIE+EXPO Offers Benefits to All Participants
After a successful inaugural year, the Green Industry & Equipment Expo returns to the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky., October 23-25, 2008. The event is sponsored by the Professional Landcare Network, the Professional Grounds Management Society and the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute.
Items on display will include lawn and garden products, outdoor leisure products, rental lines, outdoor power equipment and related products for consumer, commercial and rental use. The event will feature 650 exhibitors showcasing their latest innovations in one 425,700-square-foot exhibit hall; 19-acre outdoor demonstration area; The Dealer Experience—A Guide to Profitability; PLANET’s Green Industry Conference and PGMS’s School of Grounds Management; two free concerts; networking events; and giveaways.
Aqua Control Acquires Aeration Technologies
Aqua Control, Inc., Spring Valley, Ill., has acquired Aeration Technologies, Inc., Burnsville, N.C. Aeration Technologies, which manufactures lake bed aeration equipment, was owned by Cary Martin, who will become the East Coast regional sales manager for Aqua Control. Martin will be based in Orlando, Fla. All manufacturing will take place at Aqua Control’s facility.
PacLease Announces Three New Eastern Michigan Locations
PACCAR Leasing Co. continued its North American franchise network expansion with the addition of three new full-service lease locations: Eastern Michigan PacLease in Dearborn, Clinton Township and Sterling Heights, Mich. PacLease provides customized full-service leasing programs and truck rentals for customers in a variety of industries.
Real Green Acquires Practical Solutions
Real Green Systems, Walled Lake, Mich., has acquired Practical Solutions, Inc., Columbus, Ohio. Real Green creates software systems for the lawn care and pest control industries. The acquisition came about due to the retirement of Practical Solutions owner Maris Franke, who served the green industry for more than 26 years. Real Green will continue to support Practical Solutions’ Service Solution software for several months as users transition to its Lawn & Pest Assistant III.
DuPont Hires Parker as Midwest Sales Rep
DuPont Professional Products has hired Scott Parker as Midwest turf and ornamental sales representative. Based in Kentucky, Parker’s territory will span North Dakota through Ohio. He brings 10 years of sales experience to DuPont; he has also worked in the field as an assistant golf course superintendent. He graduated from the University of Kentucky with a bachelor’s degree in agronomy with an emphasis in turfgrass management.
News from John Deere
John Deere’s Worldwide Commercial & Consumer Equipment Division announced Stihl, Inc. and Stihl Ltd. as the preferred supplier of gas-powered and corded hand-held power equipment in the United States and Canada. The existing John Deere-branded hand-held power equipment will be substituted with the Stihl portfolio at qualifying John Deere servicing dealers. Joint marketing efforts will take place to increase awareness of both brands’ product offerings.
John Deere announced a new name and number system for its tractor line with the introduction of the new 5D, 5E, 5M and 6D Series Tractors. Each new model number has six available positions. The first number represents its size. The second, third and fourth numbers denote its relative metric engine horsepower. The fifth position is a letter and indicates its capability and/or price level within its family. The switch will not be immediate for all tractors, but will be phased in over time when new product families are introduced.
Deere & Co. will enhance its parts service capabilities by investing in capacity expansions at four locations. The primary parts distribution center in Milan, Ill., will be expanded over 300,000 square feet. Current parts depots in Portland, Ore., and Regina, Sask., Canada, will be renovated for operation as regional distribution centers. Activities at a parts depot in Stockton, Calif., will be expanded and relocated to Lathrop, Calif.
Aquascape Announces Redesign of Corporate Web Site
Aquascape, Inc., St. Charles, Ill., announced a complete redesign of its corporate Web site at www.aquascapeinc.com, with the goal of providing a wider range of information to both consumers and wholesalers. For consumers, the new site features a contemporary design, interactive inspiration gallery, construction steps for the do-it-yourselfer and resources for those looking to have their pond installed by a professional. Wholesalers will find downloadable product manuals, troubleshooting solutions, business case studies and how-to articles.
Rain Bird Announces Award Finalists
Rain Bird named the finalists for its 2008 Intelligent Use of Water Award, which recognizes persons or organizations whose innovation, leadership, ingenuity and overall commitment to improved landscape water efficiency has raised the standard for outdoor water conservation. The finalists are Christopher S. Gray Sr., Benton, Ky.; David Salman, Santa Fe, N.M.; Georgia Golf Course Superintendents Association, Atlanta, Ga.; the Council on the Environment of NYC, New York, N.Y.; and Glendale Xeriscape Demonstration Garden, Glendale, Ariz.
The recipient will be announced October 11, 2008, at the Intelligent Use of Water Film Competition. The winner will be chosen by a panel of experts that includes Elizabeth Cutright, editor, Water Efficiency magazine; Dan Stark, executive director, American Public Gardens Association; Ron Stoltz, director, University of Arizona School of Landscape Architecture; and Marty Eberhardt, executive director, The Water Conservation Garden, and winner of the 2007 award.
Bobcat Manufactures 750,000th Skid Steer Loader
Bobcat Co. has manufactured its 750,000th skid steer loader, reaching the milestone 50 years after the Melroe and Keller brothers partnered to introduce the Melroe self-propelled loader, later known as the Bobcat skid steer loader. The 750,000th loader was manufactured at the Bobcat facility in Gwinner, N.D.
Bobcat employees in Gwinner celebrated the milestone with a special assembly line ceremony. It was also marked during a public celebration of Bobcat’s 50th anniversary, which included a program featuring Yongmaan Park, chairman of parent company Doosan Infracore, and other Bobcat executives, as well as North Dakota Governor John Hoeven and members of the Melroe and Keller families. The celebration also showcased the Bobcat 50 Years Unleashed North American Road Tour, the 24th stop of a 25-city traveling exhibit of Bobcat history.
Husqvarna Launches Chain Saw Demo Days
Husqvarna has launched Chain Saw Demo Days as part of its brand marketing campaign, “Master Your Great Outdoors.” Through October 31, outdoor enthusiasts can participate in the Chain Saw Demo Days events to be held at participating Husqvarna servicing dealer locations nationwide. The events coincide with fall chain saw season and Chain Saw Safety Awareness Month.
For more information, visit www.MasterYourGreatOutdoors.com or www.usa.husqvarna.com.
Water Summit Showcases Research, Trends & Best Practices
Over 30 companies participated in Ewing’s third Water Summit, held in Seattle, Wash. A biannual event, the summit provides a platform for industry professionals from across the country to explore issues pertaining to water management and conservation.
Offered in collaboration with Hunter Industries, the Water Summit’s interactive two-day program included presentations by Robert Glennon, University of Arizona’s James E. Rogers College of Law; Steve Wightman, stadium and field manager for Qualcomm Stadium; Patrick Griffiths, water resources coordinator for Bend, Ore.; Alan Beaulieu, Institute for Trend Research; Amy Vickers, Amy Vickers & Associates, Inc.; and Marla Carter, Water For People.
Industry partners Baseline, Calsense, Tournesol Siteworks and the Irrigation Association also contributed to the success of the summit.
Toro Expands TLC Program, Hosts WaterSmart Symposium
Toro has expanded the Toro Loyalty Counts Program to allow customers to earn credit toward Toro parts. Customers receive TLC Points when they buy Toro Genuine Parts for commercial products. The points can be redeemed for Toro logo items, merchandise and parts credit. Customers can register at www.tlc.programhq.com.
Toro Irrigation brought together landscape professionals and industry experts at its Success Without Excess III WaterSmart Symposium (available online at www.torowatersmart.com) to discuss the importance of water conservation methods in landscaping. Toro invited Stephanie Tanner, WaterSense products lead, Environmental Protection Agency; Mary Ann Dickinson, executive director, Alliance for Water Efficiency; and Julian Gray, CEO, Smart Approved WaterMark, to share their expertise during the symposium. They addressed how their agencies are working to promote products and services that help conserve water, educate consumers and champion solutions for sustainable water use around the home.
Stihl Recognizes 1,000th Gold Level Service Technician
Stihl, Inc. certified its 1,000th Gold dealer service technician, Monte Gens of Monte’s Small Engine in Fredonia, N.Y. Gold level training is the third step in the Stihl technical education program that certifies Stihl service technicians. Technicians participating in this training provide service for the company’s product line at dealerships across the nation.
Mi-T-M Unveils New Corporate Identity
Mi-T-M Corp., a manufacturer of pressure washers, generators, air compressors and other industrial equipment, unveiled a new corporate identity. The “M” in the new logo graphically represents a foundation of integrity, dedication, quality and excellence. The secondary graphic element is the colored stripes that have traditionally bordered the “M” and decorated Mi-T-M equipment. The three stripes will remain standard on all Mi-T-M equipment. The new corporate identity will be implemented through a transitional process.
Undergrads Receive 2008 Bayer Scholarships
Bayer Environmental Science awarded its 2008 Bayer Undergraduate Scholarships, which recognize students pursuing careers in the green industry who have demonstrated academic excellence and leadership skills. This year’s recipients are Tyler Andersen, Natasha Burkholder, Chase McKeithen, Mary Buth, Glen Smart, Jay Weaver, Angelo Magnasco, Stephanie Hranek, Floyd Tyler Cooper, Mike Paciga, Jeffery Jones, Andrew Storey, Sean Allen, Joshua Dunaway, Ryan Standifird, Shane Dorsey, Robert Cross, Jared Long, Nathan Albert Carney, Richard William Irvin, Jorden Thien, Jon Savoie, Kristopher Burkhart, Greg Caldwell, William Kreuser, Peter Schmidt and John Daniels.
New Bird Control Product Catalog from Bird-B-Gone
Bird-B-Gone, Inc. announced a new catalog, which features a complete line of bird deterrents. The full-color, 45-page catalog includes new products such as Bat Net and new hardware. A free copy may be obtained by calling 800-392-6915, e-mailing nobirds@birdbgone.com or visiting www.birdbgone.com.
Millenia Achieves GreenSpec Designation
Millenia Wall Solutions announced that its retaining wall units have been selected for listing in the GreenSpec Directory, published by BuildingGreen, LLC, Brattleboro, Vt. GreenSpec undertakes rigorous analysis of all products submitted for review and endeavors to include only the top 5 to 10 percent of the most environmentally positive alternatives among all green products.
Millenia uses 100 percent recycled, preconsumer polymeric resin materials in all its wall products. These materials are inert and do not leach any chemicals into the soil. Because they are lightweight, it takes less energy to transport Millenia wall units.
Biobarrier Selected for Urban Plaza Test
Fiberweb, Inc.’s Biobarrier Root Control Fabric is being used as the root barrier in a test of structural and noncompacted soils surrounding tree plantings in urban plazas. The test, conducted by Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories, Charlotte, N.C., compares a variety of soils and their efficacy for tree growth in a restricted area. Biobarrier’s role in this test is to confine the tree roots to the cell where the tree is growing. When the independent research is completed, Bartlett will know more about the impact of treatments on tree growth, how better to maintain trees in an urban setting and the impact of treatment on the integrity of the surrounding concrete.
Scotts Promotes Shrom
The Scotts Co. North America Professional Business Group has promoted Karl Shrom to the position of marketing manager for specialty agriculture products. Shrom will be working in the specialty agriculture business across North America with an emphasis on expanding Scotts’ reach in areas producing high-value specialty crops.
Shrom previously served as senior formulations specialist for Scotts. He was also lead formulator for the Peters line of water-soluble fertilizers. Prior to joining Scotts, Shrom managed a local public golf course for seven years. He has a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Ohio Wesleyan University.
B.L. Downey Receives DuPont Star Coater Certification
B.L. Downey Co. LLC has achieved DuPont Star Coater certification for REBAR after an audit of its operations by DuPont Coating Solutions. The audit focused on process review, part preparation, application, cure, quality tests, employee training, safety, customer satisfaction, DuPont loyalty and federal, state and local code compliance.
Navman Enters Strategic Partnership with Donlen
Navman Wireless North America, a wholly owned subsidiary of Navman Wireless Holdings, has entered a strategic partnership with Donlen Corp. Donlen, through its subsidiary d/b/a Donlen Telematics, will now provide its customer base with Navman Wireless’ GPS fleet management solutions.
Does your company have news to share with Turf readers? E-mail the details to turfpr@MooseRiverMedia.com and we’ll print it in an upcoming issue.
“
