Industry Update

Source: www.TurfMagazine.com

News from around the Green industry

New President & Chairman for Crary

Chuck Crary, president of Crary Industries, Inc., based in West Fargo, N.D., has stepped down to become chairman of the board. Keith Nilson, formerly vice president of operations, has replaced him.

Crary started the company in 1979 as a small machining shop for area agricultural businesses. In 1999, investment firm KRG Capital Partners, LLC acquired the company and combined it with three others to form TerraMarc Industries. ECHO purchased TerraMarc in 2006 and renamed the company Crary Industries.

Nilson joined Crary Industries in 2004. He has held executive positions at Kohler Co. in Wisconsin and BTD Mfg. in Minnesota. He holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the University of Wisconsin and a master’s from Northwestern University.  

Parkway is Now Brandt

Completing the transition that began with its acquisition in 2001, Parkway Research will now be known as Brandt. Part of the specialty formulations division of Brandt Consolidated of Springfield, Ill., the former Parkway turf unit combines its operations with the company’s agriculture, horticulture, aquatic, and lawn and garden divisions under the Brandt corporate brand. All former Parkway staff will remain.

Cleveland Botanical Garden & Kent State LCI Team Up

Cleveland Botanical Garden and Kent State University’s Liquid Crystal Institute announced a partnership to design and construct unique research greenhouses on the Garden’s campus.

The goal is to determine liquid crystal’s potential for creating more sustainable, energy-efficient greenhouses. Researchers at Kent have developed liquid crystal windows that “switch” to different shading.  These windows can be used to manipulate sunlight entering a greenhouse, thereby controlling temperature and light wavelengths. This could help to grow commercial and food plants more efficiently, extending the growing season.

New PLM Network Member

Superior NW Tree and Shrub Care, Inc. has joined the Premier Level Member (PLM) Network of Horticultural Asset Management, Inc. (HMI). As a member of the network, a Superior NW certified arborist will conduct landscape assessments on residential and commercial properties to determine the types, sizes and condition of woody trees and shrubs. From this data, HMI’s system will establish the replacement cost valuation of each plant assessed.

Network members are able to provide property owners with risk mitigation services, repair and tree replacement services as needed. In addition, members receive work referrals, customized covers and discounted pricing on HMI’s property-specific landscape owner’s manual.

Replacement values for landscapes and individual plants can be used to establish insurance coverage requirements, help determine casualty loss values and support the asking price of a landscaped property during a real estate transaction.  

Dow AgroSciences Recognized

Dow AgroSciences LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Co., was recognized as a winner in one category and as a finalist in four others in the AGROW Awards competition, which honors corporate and individual excellence in the crop protection and production industry.

Winners, named October 16 at a dinner and presentation in Glasgow, Scotland, included Dow AgroSciences’ EcoZome as the 2007 Best Formulation Innovation.

Dow AgroSciences was nominated and named as a finalist for Best Stewardship Program for its product stewardship and risk mitigation for ProFume fumigant; Best New Crop Protection Product for aminopyralid-containing herbicides; Most Innovative Chemistry for spinetoram; and Best Public Program for its agricultural science outreach tours.

This is the first year the awards were presented. Entries were judged by a panel of 13 industry professionals from around the world.

NDS Celebrates 30 Years of Putting Water in Its Place

NDS, Inc. began producing plastic drainage products more than 30 years ago. Through the years, NDS has continued to innovate within the industry to expand its business across multiple categories. NDS is committed to helping reduce the environmental impact of stormwater, as well as conserving water through efficient landscape irrigation and water flow management.

Based in Woodland Hills, Calif., NDS offers the Flo-Well stormwater leaching system, Agrifim drip irrigation systems and Flo Control flow management products.

Weathermatic Acquires Ecologic

Weathermatic has acquired Ecologic, developer of the RainBrain line of rain and rain/freeze sensors.

Ecologic’s manufacturing operations will move into the Weathermatic production facility in Dallas, Texas. Ecologic founder Dave Klever will oversee the transition.

Weathermatic has manufactured landscape irrigation equipment since the 1940s and was the first company to introduce a rain sensor in the 1970s.

Klever has developed sensor products for the irrigation industry for more than 20 years. Prior to founding Ecologic, he designed rain sensors for Glen-Hilton Products.

Conwed Purchases Tie-Net Unit

Conwed Global Netting Solutions acquired the Tie-Net Unit of Tipper Tie, Inc., located in West Chicago, Ill. The purchase includes Tipper Tie’s knitted net products brands, Tie-Net and Net All.  

Conwed is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn.

Eagle Point Adds Job Board

Eagle Point Software Corp. announced the addition of a job board to its newest business service, Eagle Point Exchange.

This service is an on-line business community dedicated to civil engineering, land surveying and landscape architecture firms. Initially, it includes access to resources that help owners manage workload, such as a job board and Contract Connections. The exchange will evolve to provide educational materials, business templates, and connections to others in the industry to help business owners manage their organizations effectively and efficiently.

Scotts Co. Announces New Global Structure

The Scotts Co. has announced a new organizational structure for its Professional Business Group, which markets fertilizers, plant protection products and agriculture products. According to Claude Lopez, senior vice president, international, the realignment is intended to leverage the company’s worldwide presence.

Fred Bosch has been named vice president, global professional, and will be responsible for developing a long-term business plan for that division. He will also lead the International and North America Professional businesses.

Korbin Riley has been named vice president, Global Professional Grass Seed and Emerging Markets and is tasked with leveraging Scotts’ recent investment in grass seed operations on a more global basis. He will also focus on expanding the company’s Professional and Consumer businesses into emerging markets throughout the Asia/Pacific region, Latin America and other world regions. Fidel Quinones, director of the Latin America division, will now report to Riley.

Thomas Appoints Etholm President & CEO

Thomas Equipment, Inc. has hired Petter M. Etholm as president and chief executive officer, and he was appointed to the board of directors. He succeeds Michael Luther, who will remain with Thomas Equipment as chairman of the board.

Thomas Equipment is emerging from a period of financial difficulty and embarked on a restructuring program to regain its market position and financial strength.

Previously, Etholm was a consultant to the Thomas Equipment 2004 subsidiary. He was also president of Cardsmart Retail and executive vice president of Nutri/System, Inc. Earlier in his career, Etholm founded Norwegian Wood, Inc. and Elinex, LLC.  

LidoChem Expands Into Southeast

LidoChem, Inc.’s Performance Nutrition Division has expanded into the southeast turf and ornamentals markets with its line of agricultural, turf and ornamental fertility and disease control products. To support this new stage of growth, LidoChem has announced the addition of Glen Thompson as southeast regional sales manager for the turf and ornamental markets. He will be responsible for managing product sales for golf courses and sports turf management, and expanding the company’s network of local dealers throughout the Southeast.

Thompson is a graduate of the Lake City Turf Management Program and has served as an assistant superintendent at various golf courses in the Carolinas. He spent several years selling fertilizer products for dealers in the Florida markets. Most recently he owned and operated a local fertilizer distribution company.

John Deere Clarifies Position on Biodiesel Use

Due to the variety of standards that exist in the diesel engine industry and in response to questions from various markets, John Deere Power Systems has officially clarified its position on the use of biodiesel in its diesel engines.

While 5 percent blends (B5) are preferred, biodiesel concentrations up to a 20 percent blend (B20) in petroleum diesel fuel can be used in John Deere engines through Tier 3/Stage III A models, including all non-emissions-certified engines. Biodiesel blends up to B20 can be used only if the biodiesel (100 percent biodiesel or B100) meets ASTM D6751, EN 14214 or equivalent specification. Biodiesel users are strongly encouraged to purchase biodiesel blends from a BQ-9000 Certified Marketer and to source from a BQ-9000 Accredited Producer, as certified by the National Biodiesel Board.

Arysta Acquires GBM

Arysta LifeScience Corp. has completed the acquisition of Grupo Bioquímico Mexicano, S.A. de C.V. (GBM), a Mexican manufacturer and marketer of inputs for the fruit and vegetable market. The purchase includes GBM and its subsidiaries, affiliated real estate and employee service companies, as well as its formulation and manufacturing facilities in Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila, Mexico.

TapSet Signs Distribution Agreement With Rex

TapSet Corp. has signed a distribution agreement with Rex Commercial Tool & Fasteners, authorizing the sister company of Senco Products, Inc. to sell TapSet branded products through its existing channels. The TapSet line of chemical anchors will be sold through the sales organizations of both Senco and Rex.

TapSet is a plastic injection molding company headquartered in Calumet, Mich.

Komatsu Announces Completion of Parts Depots

Komatsu America Corp. announced the completion of eight regional parts depots throughout the United States and Canada.  

Komatsu will work closely with distributors to monitor and improve local parts stocking and availability of “on-the-shelf inventory” at distributor locations. The company has also improved the customer service, technical assistance and response teams as well as increased the inventory levels and parts availability at their Master Parts Distribution Center in Ripley, Tenn.

HMI Announces Wildfire Preparedness Program

Horticultural Asset Management, Inc. is now offering a tool for evaluating a property’s wildfire preparedness. HMI’s Wildfire Preparedness Assessment consists of an on-site evaluation of a property using HMI’s proprietary PDA-based software, which collects specific information regarding the property’s compliance with established defensible space criteria. Based on the data collected by a trained assessor, HMI will produce a graphical report detailing any non-compliant conditions as well as provide specific remedial requirements for each property.

Platinum Equity Acquires Tecumseh

Platinum Equity has acquired Tecumseh Power Co., which provides powertrain solutions to the outdoor power equipment industry. The acquisition includes facilities in Wisconsin, Indiana, Tennessee, the United Kingdom and the Czech Republic.

In conjunction with the acquisition, Platinum Equity announced that Rudi Strobl has been appointed as president and CEO of the business. Strobl is an experienced senior executive who previously served as president and CEO of Strategic Distribution, Inc., a Platinum Equity company engaged in outsourcing of MRO supplies, as well as deputy CEO of DyStar, a Platinum Equity company that manufacturers textile dyes.

German Company Begins Distribution Of Subsite Equipment

The Charles Machine Works, Inc. has announced the addition of Schmetz Messtechnik of Menden, Germany, as an official dealer of Subsite electronic locating equipment, which is used to locate and identify underground utilities at construction jobsites. Established in 1982, Schmetz Messtechnik is a distributor of a wide variety of electronic measurement products, including densimeters, flow meters, leak indicators and ultrasonic wall-thickness gauges.

Bayer Names New Sales Reps

Bayer Environmental Science has announced three new sales representatives, Mike Kelly, Bob Ducote and Mike Hirvela. They will be responsible for sales and product support for golf customers in their respective territories.

Kelly’s territory is Minnesota, Iowa and North and South Dakota. Previously, Kelly was golf course superintendent at Edina Country Club, Edina, Minn., and an assistant site superintendent for Thunder Hawk Golf Club, Beach Park, Ill.

Ducote covers Southeast Texas for the golf market and is also the golf and lawn care field sales representative in Arkansas and Louisiana. Ducote was a distributor sales representative for UAP Professional Products and Helena Chemical Co.

Hirvela will be responsible for the golf market in Michigan. Most recently, Hirvela owned and operated Total Land Care, Inc. and Fertilizer in Royal Oak, Mich. Prior to that, Hirvela worked as golf course manager for Wabeek Country Club.

Sod Solutions Unveils New Logo

Sod Solutions, Inc. has introduced a new corporate logo reflecting the company’s role in researching, developing and marketing environmentally friendly products. The logo more accurately depicts its mission, which is to identify, test and introduce new selections of turf varieties that exceed the expectations of consumers.

HMI Reaches Agreement With Bartlett

Horticultural Asset Management, Inc. has reached an agreement with Bartlett Tree Experts, a nationwide provider of tree and shrub care services.   Under this new agreement, Bartlett is making its local arborists available to support the creation of Certified HMI Horticultural Assessments. Bartlett personnel will also be available to conduct both remedial and preventive services that may be required as a result of the assessment process.

Assessments provide detailed information including plant description, location, replacement cost value, general health assessment and other important data which can be used for insurance, tax, real estate or risk management applications.  

LawnGrips Goes International, Partners with Stihl

LawnGrips, LLC has announced the appointment of Deshe Itzhar as exclusive distributor in Israel for its growing line of footwear. The expansion into Israel is a first step in establishing a global presence for the Oregon-based company. Deshe Itzhar, established in 1992, operates a 148-acre sod farm.

Stihl, Inc. has entered into an agreement with LawnGrips to make available to the nationwide network of independent Stihl dealers three models of lawn care footwear that will feature both the Stihl and LawnGrips logos.

Ditch Witch Employees Complete Training

Thirteen Ditch Witch employees completed Trenchless Products New Person Sales Training at the Ditch Witch Training Center in Perry, Okla.

The trainees were Terry Thompson, Bobby Sellers, Brian Mehigan, Charles Riggs, Cory Bailey, Damon Reeves, Gary Murphree, Joe Person, Michael Dellazizzo, Michael Mooney, Roger Bigaouette, Ron Martin and Shawn Tuschhoff.

Doonan Partners With Truck Web Services

Doonan Specialized Trailer, a manufacturer of specialty flatbed, drop-deck and lowbed trailers, has appointed Truck Web Services, a division of Dominion Enterprises, as its exclusive Internet services and solutions provider.  Truck Web Services provides Web sites and Internet marketing solutions for commercial truck and trailer dealers.

Greene Elected to STC Board

Stanley H. Greene, president and CEO of Sprinturf, was elected to the board of directors of the Synthetic Turf Council during the organization’s Annual Membership Meeting. Founded in 2003, STC serves as an objective resource assisting buyers and end users with the selection, use and maintenance of synthetic turf systems in sports field, golf and landscape applications.

AlturnaMats Acquires Mobile Matts

AlturnaMats, Inc., a producer of ground protection mats, has acquired Mobile Matts, based in Green Bay, Wis.

Phil Schounard will continue to head up Mobile and operate from the Green Bay facility. Mobile Matts are now available through AlturnaMats’ extensive dealer network.

John Deere/LESCO Golf Merger Complete

A merger between John Deere and LESCO has been finalized. With the merger, John Deere Golf has added about 150 agronomic experts to its sales and support organization.

Agronomic products, including LESCO brands, will be available through golf sales representatives, Stores-on-Wheels and John Deere Landscapes Gold Branches, while equipment and irrigation products are available through John Deere Golf distributors.  

Red Rhino Wins Green Apple Award

Red Rhino Crushers won the National Gold Award in the International Green Apple Awards 2007 for Environmental Best Practice, in recognition of their Compact On-Site Recycling Solutions project.

Trophies are awarded annually in recognition of organizations carrying out projects that benefit the environment.

The award-winning project will be featured in The Green Book and the organization will also be presented with a Green Heroes Shield.

The Green Apple Awards campaign is run by The Green Organization, which recognizes, rewards and promotes environmental best practice around the world.

Beidel is Growing

Ed Beidel, president of Beidel Design Associates, has opened new offices. The corporate office is now in Orlando, Fla., with a satellite office in Valencia, Pa. Beidel has been practicing golf and landscape architecture for 31 years.

Peterson Appoints New Managers

Peterson, an Oregon-based manufacturer of grinders, chippers and blower trucks, appointed Brian Gray as product support manager for Eastern North America.

Gray has worked in a wide variety of areas in sales and support for the forestry and construction and power generation industries. Prior to joining Peterson, Gray worked for Pioneer Machinery and Carter Machinery in Virginia.

Peterson also appointed Victor Acevedo as blower truck sales manager. Acevedo will focus on blower truck sales, support and demonstrations.

Acevedo has worked for Peterson since 1993, most recently serving as the blower truck manufacturing coordinator.

Dent Promoted at Ecological Laboratories

Ecological Laboratories, manufacturer of the Microbe-Lift brand of products, announced the promotion of Doug Dent to vice president of sales.  Dent joined Ecological in 2002, prior to which he spent 32 years in the biotechnology sector with Sybron Biochemical, where he was director of institutional, household and commercial products.

CGC & SPI Announce New President; Honor Distributors

Commercial Grounds Care, Inc. and Schiller-Pfeiffer, Inc. announced that Pat Cappucci is the new president of the affiliated companies. Cappucci brings a diversified background and experience to the companies, with service in a variety of functional areas ranging from ground level to senior management. Cappucci brings over 10 years of OPE experience to CGC & SPI and more than 25 years of driving growth for leading companies. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Marquette University and an MBA with honors from The Carlson School at the University of Minnesota.

CGC and SPI also honored their commercial distribution sales partners at their recent distributor meeting in Johnson Creek, Wis.

CGC award winners include Hayward Distributing, Distributor of the Year; Bobby Garner, Pat Davenport and Jeff Keuhn, Territory Managers of the Year;  Mike Fairfax, Sales Manager of the Year; and Scott Ferrone, Rookie of the Year.

SPI award winners include Fierle Distribution Corp., Distributor of the Year (United States); Echo Canada, Distributor of the Year (Canada); Buddy Merz, Jeff Woods and Jeff Peek, Territory Managers of the Year; and Rick Favata, Sales Manager of the Year.