Industry Update

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Husqvarna Integrates RedMax Division

The RedMax organization of Husqvarna became part of Husqvarna Professional Products, Inc., which is headed by Dave Zerfoss and also includes the Husqvarna, Yazoo Kees, Dixon and BlueBird brands. The integration of RedMax will create additional operational efficiencies for Husqvarna and create value for its customers through improved customer support and service.

The company will continue to have separate dealer and distributor sales forces for individual brands, but with an integrated leadership approach.

7L Brands’ plant processes logsinto mulch.

New Mulch Plant Processes Logs from Lykes Forest

7L Brands, LLC, a division of Lykes Bros., Inc., opened a new manufacturing facility in Palmdale, Fla. The plant processes eucalyptus and pine logs from the Lykes forest into environmentally friendly mulch products and related horticultural goods. The 35-acre facility provides for log storage, mulch processing and finished package storage.

Turf Appeal Helps Soldier’s Family

Matt Doerr, owner of Turf Appeal, Oklahoma City, Okla., volunteered his services as part of the Professional Landcare Network’s Day of Service. Turf Appeal did a complete lawn and landscape makeover for the family of National Guard Sgt. Justin Steckman, Edmond, Okla., who is serving in Iraq.

Above left: From left, Will Wolverton; Bryan Wood; Nancy Russell, Commercial Turf &Tractor; Steve Russell, Commercial Turf & Tractor; Jurgen Wiedenmann; and Mike Colgan,Commercial Turf & Tractor.Above right: Al Hicks.

Wiedenmann Honors Salesman, Dealer of the Year

At Wiedenmann North America, LLC’s annual Dealer Appreciation Meeting, Will Wolverton, general manager, and Jurgen Wiedenmann, owner, presented awards. Al Hicks, territory manager for ShowTurf, was the 2008 Salesman of the Year. The 2008 Dealer of the Year was Commercial Turf & Tractor, Chillicothe, Miss., owned and operated by Bryan Wood.

K&R to Grow UltimateFlora

Environmental Turf, Inc. has selected K&R Turf Farm, Gainesville, Fla., as a licensed sod producer of its drought-resistant UltimateFlora zoysiagrass. K&R, owned and operated by Reggie and Kenya Crum, delivers and installs sod throughout Florida.

Wright Names Sales Rep of the Year

Wright Mfg. presented its Sales Representative of the Year Award to John Franke of PACE, Inc. PACE, based in Plymouth, Mich., earned Wright’s Market Expansion Award and Sales Representative of the Year Award in 2007 and was Wright’s 2006 and 2008 Distributor of the Year.

Stens donated an ambulanceto Mercy & Sharing.

Stens Donates Ambulance

Stens donated an ambulance to Mercy & Sharing, an organization dedicated to helping feed, educate and provide medical care for children and widows in Haiti. Mark Salter, the Stens vendor who approached the company about the donation, is the program director of Mercy & Sharing.

New Hires at Maruyama

Maruyama has appointed Jay Larsen to the position of technical sales support manager. Previously, he worked for Shindaiwa, Inc. as a technical services representative for 11 years and, since 2001, as marketing manager for North America. He is a graduate of Clatsop College.

Carmelo Grenier was hired as the company’s new distribution market development manager for North America. He comes to Maruyama from Shindaiwa, where he was North American sales manager.

Pete Fernald was appointed to the position of technical services manager. He has a degree in industrial education and served as Shindaiwa’s director of technical services and training for 28 years.

Satoshi Iida

New President for Kubota Tractor

Kubota Corp. named Satoshi Iida as the new president of Kubota Tractor Corp., Torrance, Calif. Iida, who has a Ph.D. in mechanical and systems engineering, has been with Kubota for 29 years and served in the company’s engineering, utility tractor and construction equipment divisions. Previously, he was president of Kubota Europe in France. He succeeds Tetsuji “Mike” Tomita, who was named president of the farm and industrial machinery consolidated division and general manager of international operations headquarters.

Gordon Joins New Hunter Division

Kevin Gordon has assumed the role of sales and marketing manager for the FX Luminaire division of Hunter Industries. Previously, Gordon was Hunter’s California regional sales manager. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Southern Illinois University and a master’s degree from the University of Colorado.

First Products Redesigns Web Site

First Products launched a new Web site at www.1stproducts.com, redesigned to make it easier for customers and dealers to interact with the company online. Visitors can now go straight to equipment options for individual industries, including downloadable spec sheets and mini brochures, as well as multiple product images. The “order tines” form and parts book are now under “Customer Tools.”

Richard Vega moves boulderswith his Kioti DK45 tractor.

Vega Wins Kioti Success Story Contest

Kioti Tractor announced Richard Vega, Lake George, N.Y., as the winner of its 2008 National Success Stories Contest. It was conducted online through www.kioti.com to collect customer stories about how they use their Kioti tractors. One winner was chosen every month, and those winners became eligible for the grand prize. Vega, who owns Adirondack Furniture Designs, received a $1,500 gift card.

Aurora Offers Drawing Library

Aurora Bearing Co., Montgomery, Ill., has made its complete engineering drawing library available as individual, downloadable drawings at its Web site, www.aurorabearing.com, and on its free product catalog CD. These technically correct drawings are compatible with all popular engineering drawing programs.

Personnel Changes at Hannay

Hannay Reels announced that Sales Manager Dave Guilzon has retired after 39 years of service. He served in the position of sales manager for more than 12 years. Guilzon was succeeded by Denis Bleile, who has over 25 years’ experience in the industrial sector.