Emak hosted this dealer training in Ohio.
Emak Hosts Ohio efco Dealers for Training
Dealers from all over Ohio traveled to Wooster to take part in an intensive one-day training session for the efco brand and products. The goal for the attendees was to better acquaint themselves with the product line and learn how to market the brand effectively. The day began with an overview of Emak USA’s company history, followed by marketing tactics and resources available to the dealers. A detailed product review allowed the dealers to learn the features and benefits of each piece of equipment that is available to them. Sales strategies rounded out the indoor portion of the training.
In the afternoon, the dealers had the opportunity to run each piece of equipment. Proper starting techniques and safety tips were included in the outdoor demonstration. All attendees also had the chance to run the six new products efco will be debuting soon.
U.S. Lawns Announces Hall of Fame Inductees
U.S. Lawns inducted the father-and-son team of Hank and Bryan Smith of Myrtle Beach, S.C., into the U.S. Lawns Hall of Fame. U.S. Lawns held its annual conference at the historic Vinoy Hotel in St. Petersburg, Fla. The final event of the three-day conference was the awards ceremony, when deserving franchisees and their teams are presented awards for their community contributions and their business successes. The awards night celebration culminates with a franchisee being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
The Garden State Bobcat Group will serve as Morbark’s tree care products dealer in New Jersey and Staten Island, N.Y.
Morbark Signs Garden State Bobcat Group to Dealer Network
Morbark, Inc. announced it has signed a contract making
Garden State Bobcat Group its exclusive tree care products dealer for New Jersey and Staten Island, N.Y. The Garden State Bobcat Group consists of Bobcat of Central Jersey, located in Green Brook, N.J., and Garden State Bobcat, located in Freehold, N.J. Bobcat of Central Jersey will be handling Morbark equipment sales, rentals, parts and service for northern New Jersey and Staten
Island, N.Y., and Garden State Bobcat will be handling central and southern New Jersey.
The Grounds Guys Joins Forces with First Lady
The Grounds Guys of Jacksonville owner and veteran, Rick Santo, joined forces with first lady Michelle Obama at Mayport Naval Station in Jacksonville, Fla., for the announcement that more than 2,000 companies had hired or trained 125,000 veterans and military spouses since the initial launch of the Joining Forces White House initiative in 2011.
The Joining Forces campaign was launched in an effort to support American veterans and their families during their employment, education and wellness endeavors. President Barack Obama asked the first lady to direct Joining Forces, while challenging for-profit businesses to hire or train 100,000 veterans and military spouses by the end of 2013. According to White House officials, this effort has resulted in a 20 percent decrease in veteran unemployment compared to last year.
Noon Ranks on List of Fastest-Growing Companies
Inc. Magazine ranked Noon Turf Care No. 1,412 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, a ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. Noon also ranked 42nd in fastest-growing companies in Boston and 92nd in industry rank. Noon has experienced 213 percent growth in the past three years and has added over 40 new jobs to its company and local economy. The privately owned, Massachusetts-based lawn care company was founded in 2001 by brothers Christopher and Matthew Noon. Noon offers chemical and organic fertilization services for lawns, trees and shrubs for residential and commercial customers in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Arysta LifeScience Hires Northeast Territory Sales Manager
Arysta LifeScience North America hired Eric Gerhartz as territory sales manager for the Northeast region for Turf and Ornamental. Gerhartz brings 16 years of sales, sales management and business development to the position, and most recently served as director of the Professional Products Division of The Liquid Fence Co. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in strategic management and leadership at Capella University and is currently pursuing his Master of Science in environmental management and an MBA.
PERC expanded its Propane Mower Incentive Program to include qualified mowers that have been converted to run on propane.
Conversion Mowers Added to Propane Incentive Program
The Propane Education & Research Council has expanded its popular Propane Mower Incentive Program, which offers a $1,000 incentive for the purchase of qualified new propane-fueled mowers, to include a $500 incentive for qualified mowers that have been converted to run on propane. To qualify for the $500 incentive, a conversion mower must be a commercial, heavy-duty mower that has been operated for less than 10 hours, and it must be a dedicated propane-fueled mower, not a dual-fueled model. The mower conversion kit must meet Environmental Protection Agency or California Air Resources Board requirements, and it cannot void the original equipment manufacturer’s warranty on the engine. For more information, visit www.autogasusa.org/mip/eligible-equipment.
Wright Announces Arrangement with Deere & Co.
Wright Mfg., Inc. announced a design and manufacturing arrangement with Deere & Co. Beginning with the 2013 season, Wright will manufacture a range of commercial stand-on mowers bearing the John Deere brand, using Wright’s patented technology. Deere will distribute and support the mowers through its worldwide network of independent dealers.
Grasshopper Recognized for Sustainability Efforts
On the heels of a state environmental award, Grasshopper Co. received special recognition from Green Biz Wichita for accomplishments in sustainable manufacturing and adoption of sustainable concepts in product design. Green Biz Wichita is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting sustainable, environmentally friendly concepts among businesses in the greater Wichita area, which is Kansas’ largest metropolitan area. The organization chose Grasshopper as its featured member in August.
The Pollution Prevention Award, or P2 Award, was presented to Grasshopper in July by the Kansas Department of Commerce in recognition of both raw material conservation through investments in enhanced manufacturing processes and for the MaxTorque Clean Diesel campaign, which enables the company’s customers to reduce fuel consumption and air emissions while increasing productivity and profitability in lawn care practices.
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