Source: www.TurfMagazine.com
Pike Creek to Grow Celebration Bermudagrass
Pike Creek Turf, Inc., based in Adel, Ga., has been added as a licensed producer of Celebration bermudagrass, developed by Sod Solutions, Inc. This will help expand availability in Georgia, Alabama and the Florida panhandle. Celebration fields totaling between 50 and 75 acres will be planted at Pike Creek’s sod farm and should be ready for harvest and sale by late summer.
GES Awarded Landscape Contracts
Girard Environmental Services, Inc., Sanford, Fla., was awarded landscape management contracts for the following residential communities in Florida: Magnolia Plantation, Lake Mary; Regency Greens and Stratford Gardens, Heathrow; Bolling Farms, Longwood; and Vista Royale, The Isles and Stonebridge Lakes, Orlando. GES will provide grounds maintenance, arbor care, irrigation, horticulture and landscape enhancement services.
Wharton-Smith, Inc. awarded GES a contract to install irrigation and landscaping for Volusia County Public School’s new bus transportation facility. The facility is scheduled to open by the beginning of the 2009-2010 school year.
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MB Enters Strategic Relationship with Hustler Turf
Hustler Turf Equipment has recognized MB Companies as a sole provider of mechanical brooms for its new 3500 and 3700 mowers. MB will work with Hustler Turf and its distributor group to promote the MCT-H broom attachment.
Cub Cadet Launches New Web Site
Cub Cadet has launched a new, enhanced Web site at www.CubCadet.com. Customers can now access all Cub Cadet Home Owner, Cub Cadet Utility Vehicle, Cub Cadet Commercial and Cub Cadet Yanmar products through one site. It also allows visitors to arrange purchase of products from nearby dealers and features interactive product views, videos, product comparisons, recently viewed products, easy-to-use tabs, product suggestions and online product manuals.
2009 Kioti Dealer Meeting Boasts Record Attendance
Kioti Tractor hosted its annual dealer meeting in Raleigh, N.C. The meeting’s focus on sales training helped lead to record attendance. The agenda for the three-day event included a welcome reception, new product introductions, new sales incentive programs and presentations on Developing a High-Performance Dealership by Bob Clements and Principles of Selling by Jim Falk. Dealers also went on a tour of Kioti’s corporate headquarters in Wendell, N.C., and attended the annual semiformal awards dinner.
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J. Thomas Appoints General Manager
J. Thomas hired Terry Ethier as general manager. Previously, he was vice president of sales and marketing at a company supplying products for industrial equipment applications. J. Thomas is an outdoor power equipment, accessories and parts supplier located in Novi, Mich.
Otterbine Introduces New Pattern, Guarantee, Catalog
Otterbine Barebo, Inc. redeveloped its Equinox pattern for its 1 to 5 hp aerating fountain line. The pattern was originally released in the 7.5 and 10 hp line.
Otterbine now offers a Pattern Guarantee on its 1 to 5 hp line. Customers who are not satisfied with their pattern may receive a new one within 30 days of installation.
The company has also released a newly designed catalog, which emphasizes its commitment and dedication to delivering effective, reliable and natural solutions to water quality management.
Garden & Patio Show Draws Large Crowd
Nearly 100 vendors sold out the space in the Lake Terrace Convention Center, Hattiesburg, Miss., for the 2009 Hattiesburg Garden & Patio Show. According to Jan Winter, executive secretary and treasurer of the Mississippi Nursery & Landscape Association, the three-day show drew strong crowds.
Danuser Names Media Agency
Danuser Machine Co., Inc. named True Media as its media agency of record. In addition to media strategy and placement, True Media will provide search engine optimization to strengthen the manufacturer’s online presence.
News from Ewing
Professional Landcare Network certified professionals now qualify to receive continuing education credits for approved Ewing Irrigation Products education workshops. Approved workshops include Irrigation Troubleshooting; Advanced Installation, Troubleshooting & Design; Landscape Irrigation Auditor Workshop; and Water Management Strategies Workshop.
Ewing reorganized its executive board as part of a plan to prepare the company for continued growth and efficiency. Warren S. Gorowitz was appointed to the position of vice president of sustainability and conservation. Several company officials were promoted, including Richard A. York, chief operating officer; Jeffrey C. Anthony, chief financial officer; Rilus A. Graham III, senior vice president of credit administration; and Cliff Woodbury, senior vice president of marketing and communications. The board also includes Terry Williams, Raul Gonzalez and Jim Borneman.
Ariens Acquires Treker UTV Line
Ariens Co. has acquired the Treker line of utility vehicles, attachments and accessories from Land Pride, a division of Great Plains Mfg., Inc. Ariens will continue to sell the utility vehicles through Land Pride retailers and select power equipment retailers under the Gravely brand name. UTVs will also be sold through Gravely Turf retailers that serve the sports field management segment.
Magna-Matic Offers Online Store
Magna-Matic Corp. has a new, redesigned online store at www.magna-matic-direct.com. It contains all Magna-Matic products and parts, and visitors can download parts diagrams, review products, receive e-mail notifications when items are in stock, view order history and more.
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| From left, Steve Smith, president, STI; Jeff Corn, Todd Joefreda andMarty Bahen; Anna-Lindsay Yarbrough, executive vice president, STI; andBob Bell, vice president and director of commercial sales and operations, STI. |
STI Recognized for Excellence
Smith Turf & Irrigation received the Distributor of Excellence award from the Toro Co. and was also recognized as Toro’s Best in Irrigation distributor for 2008. Three STI salespeople were honored by Toro, including Todd Joefreda, Rookie of the Year; Jeff Corn, Green Blazer Award; and Marty Bahen, Master Salesman Award. In addition, STI received the Otterbine Commercial Distributor of the Year and the Dakota Distributor of the Year awards for 2008.
LebanonTurf Names Account Managers
LebanonTurf named Chris Osborne as national account manager for professional products. He will establish and grow corporate accounts in the landscape, golf and sports turf markets. Osborne has worked for Winner Global and Fairmont Minerals.
The company named Ken Klopp as national account manager for lawn care. He will be responsible for sales with national lawn care and landscape companies. He has worked for Growmark FS and TIMAC USA.
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Gehl Unveils Anniversary Skid Loader
Gehl Co. created a chrome-covered 7810E skid loader to commemorate its 150th anniversary. The original concept for the machine was created by Form-I Design, Waverly, Iowa. The design features a reflective gold and black finish and laser-cut Gehl logos in the ROPS side screens. Decals on the lift arm display historical Gehl milestones. Milsco, Milwaukee, Wis., contributed a customized leather seat for the project, and XXX Chrome Plating, Brookfield, Wis., handled the chrome plating.
Bobcat and Polaris Enter Strategic Alliance
Bobcat Co. and Polaris Industries, Inc. announced a long-term strategic alliance that will leverage the complementary strengths of both companies to penetrate work-related market segments globally. The alliance will include codevelopment of work vehicles, supply of highly differentiated work vehicles and technology sharing, with a planned launch by the second half of 2010.
Agrium Announces Facility Expansion
Agrium Advanced Technologies announced that it will make a multimillion-dollar investment to increase production capacity of its ESN SmartNitrogen technology. Work on the new and improved facilities began in March 2009 and will involve expansion of existing production as well as an expansion of the research and development facilities in Sylacauga, Ala., and the addition of new storage and office buildings. The project should be completed in late 2010.
Sarlo Hosts Trade Conference
Sarlo Power Mowers, Inc. hosted visiting delegations from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic as a kickoff for the Hispanic-American Business Alliance. Activities included a trade show and conference focused on exporting a wide spectrum of goods, including outdoor power/industrial equipment.
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| From left, Dan Wilkinson, president, Jacobsen; Phil Millett, Rocky Mountain TurfEquipment; and Peter Whurr, vice president of product support, Jacobsen. |
Jacobsen Presents Awards
Jacobsen announced the recipients of its 2008 Dealer Awards. Winners included Jason D’Andrea, Ken Bramble, Dave Fleming, Eric Nielsen, Trip Freeman, Mike Werth and George Corgan, Pacesetter Awards; Krigger & Co., Inc., Dealer of the Year and TFC Award; O.J. Co. Ltd., CustomerCare Dealer of the Year; Phil Millett, Achievement in Customer Excellence Award; and Vereen’s Turf, Kansas Golf & Turf, TurfCare & Specialty Products, C&M Golf & Grounds, Tri-State Pump, Wilfred MacDonald, Steven Willand, Inc., Midwest Golf & Turf and G.L. Cornell, TFC Awards.
Forterra Announces Agreement with Turf Logic
Forterra Environmental Corp. announced a sales and distribution agreement with Turf Logic, Inc. Turf Logic will purchase granulated worm castings from Forterra for use in its pesticide-free lawn care solutions sold through its franchise operations in Canada.
ENCAP Celebrates 10th Anniversary
ENCAP, LLC marked its 10th anniversary in 2009. The company develops, manufactures and markets advanced soil technologies that fight erosion, establish seeds and hold fertilizers in place.
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