Want to keep up with the latest news in lawn care and landscaping? Check back every Thursday for a quick recap of recent happenings in the green industry.
Performance Nutrition Asks Turf Managers to ‘Show Us Your Grass’
In a social media promotion on Twitter & Facebook, Performance Nutrition, asked sports turf managers, landscapers and golf course superintendents to post photos of their facilities using the hashtag #PNFertilizers. Turf industry pros who post photos with that hashtag will get retweeted, reposted and also be sent a free t-shirt.
Wells Fargo CDF Announces Financing Extension with Briggs & Stratton
Wells Fargo has extended its inventory financing program with Briggs & Stratton that will be used to support wholesale floor plan financing of riding equipment, portable generators, pressure washers, snow blowers and lawn mowers. Within the Briggs & Stratton network, CDF will be supporting more than 2,800 dealerships in both the US and Canada.
Valley Irrigation Recognized by Groundwater Foundation
Valley Irrigation has been recognized as a Groundwater Guardian Green Site by the Groundwater Foundation. The Groundwater Guardian Green Site program recognizes businesses, organizations and communities that implement, measure and document their groundwater-friendly practices. These practices focus on water use, chemical usage, pollution prevention, water quality and overall environmental stewardship.
TaskEasy Annouces Financing to Expand On-Demand Landscape Services
TaskEasy announced a $12M Series B financing led by Delta Electronics Capital and new investors Moderne Ventures, MTD Products Inc, as well as existing investors Grotech Ventures, Access Venture Partners and Kickstart Fund. The funding, comes after TaskEasy’s delivered over $10M in services. Read more: TaskEasy Links Property Owners with Contractors
Vanguard Big Block Selected as Exclusive ZTR Engine
Vanguard engines have been chosen by two mower manufacturers, who announced they’ll power their ZTR mowers exclusively with the Vanguard air-cooled V-twin BIG BLOCK. Hustler Turf Equipment, part of Excel Industries, selected the Vanguard engines to power its Super Z HyperDrive and Super 104 commercial mowers. Spartan Mowers, launched in October 2015, chose Vanguard for its Spartan SRT XD.
Pickel Landscape Group joins LandOpt Network
Pennsylvania-based Pickel Landscape Group has joined LandOpt as the third contractor powered by the network in the state. The company designs and maintains outdoor spaces for the residents of southern Chester County and northern Delaware, specializing in design/build, lawn and bed maintenance and landscape construction.
Caterpillar First-Quarter Results Mirror Slowing Industrial Sector
Caterpillar Inc. announced first-quarter 2016 sales and revenues of $9.5 billion, down from $12.7 billion in the first quarter of 2015. First-quarter 2016 profit per share of $0.46 was down from a profit of $2.03 per share in the first quarter of 2015. Excluding restructuring costs, profit per share was $0.67, compared with $2.07 per share in the first quarter of 2015. Sales and revenues in 2016 are expected to be in a range of $40 to $42 billion.
Bobcat Completes Gwinner Factory Renovations
Bobcat Company and Doosan recently completed $12 million in improvements at the engineering building and plant in Gwinner, North Dakota. The project is part of an investment to enhance work environments, drive innovation and improve operations across the organization.
PRO Landscape Acquires Visual Impact’s EARTHSCAPES Design Software
Drafix Software, Inc., has announced the acquisition of Visual Impact Imaging’s EARTHSCAPES. Since most users are approaching their busy season Drafix Software will continue to offer support to EARTHSCAPES customers as the image library and key features are added to PRO Landscape.
Sales Event for Massey Services a Success
Massey Services conducted its annual company-wide sales event generating over 12,000 new customers for more than $6.2 million in sales. The event, “MAD (Making a Difference) in APRIL” was two days long and included all 1,900 team members.
Application Process Open for 2016 Arborjet Scholarship
Arborjet has announced its third annual “Taking Root” Scholarship Program for graduating high school seniors. Applications are being accepted online through June 30. Ten seniors will each be awarded with $1,000 scholarships to pursue full-time studies in Forestry, Plant Sciences, Horticulture, Entomology or Environmental Science.
Toro Elects New Member to Board of Directors
Toro Co. has elected D. Christian “Chris” Koch to its board of directors, effective immediately, the company announced. The addition of Koch brings the Toro board to 11 members. Koch, 51, currently serves as president and chief executive officer at Carlisle Companies Inc.
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