Putting at Home Takes an Organic Approach
Putting at Home, located in Norcross, Ga., creates environmentally sound approaches to native backyard golf putting greens and grass landscapes. The company offers green information, resources, guidance, organic fertilizers and the book “How to Build a Putting Green,” by S. Barry Hamdani. Members receive maintenance schedules, homemade compost directories, topdressing manuals and more via e-mail. Visit www.puttingathome.com to learn more.
Piscataqua Landscaping Celebrates 30th Year
Piscataqua Landscaping Co., Inc., Eliot, Maine, celebrated its 30th anniversary with an event honoring staff, clients and vendors. Owner Booth Hemingway founded the company in 1979.
Lebanon Presents Royalty Check to Rutgers Turfgrass Center
LebanonTurf, a division of Lebanon Seaboard Corp., presented a check for $280,556 to the Center for Turfgrass Science at Rutgers University as royalty payment for the center’s help in developing several of the company’s top turfgrass varieties. LebanonTurf has been working with Rutgers since the early 1990s in support of its seed and turfgrass businesses. The turfgrass center was established in 1991.
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News from Foley
Susan Connolly, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Foley, Inc., has joined the Associated General Contractors of New Jersey board of trustees as an associate member representative. Connolly joined Foley in 1974 and has served in her current position since 2000.
Patrick Brosnan has joined Foley as a rental account manager. Brosnan earned a degree in international business from Roger Williams University and gained experience at another Caterpillar dealership.
SavATree Acquires H.R. Spooner
SavATree has merged with H.R. Spooner Ornamental Care, based in East Falmouth, Mass. H.R. Spooner has provided Cape Cod residents with plant health care services for over a decade.
KeyPlex Expands Into New Markets with EcoSyn
KeyPlex has expanded into the professional services arena, including the landscape, golf and sports turf markets, with their micronutrients and advanced plant nutrition product line. KeyPlex chose EcoSyn Distributors of New Smyrna Beach, Fla., and Oneonta, N.Y., as the national distribution coordinator.
Turf Intelligence Formed
Turf Intelligence LLC, a newly formed company, will focus on helping turf managers utilize data from measurement technology to optimize inputs and maintain consistently exceptional conditions. Services will include data mapping for site analysis and management planning; assistance with the selection and implementation of measurement technology into maintenance programs; and formation and analysis of on-site research. Visit www.turfintel.com for more information.
Hunter-Welborn Returns to Hunter Industries
Ann Hunter-Welborn has returned to Hunter Industries as vice president of human resources. She was active in the business from 1983 to 1995. Prior to that, she taught special education. She will continue to serve as chair of the board of directors.
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Maruyama Conducts Distributor Training Program
Maruyama U.S., Inc. held a two-day training meeting for employees at Smiths South-Central Sales Co., Springhill, La. Chris Martin, regional sales manager, and Jay Larsen, technical sales support manager, conducted the training.
Turf Pride Expands Production
Turf Pride announced an expansion of its production of the new Ultra Blade to include certain models of John Deere, Toro and Jacobsen/Textron rotary mowers. The Ultra Blade is a super-thin rotary blade made of nickel, chrome and carbon steel.
Toro Announces Joint Venture with TCF
The Toro Co. announced the creation of a new joint venture with TCF Inventory Finance, Inc., an indirect subsidiary of TCF Financial Corp. Under the name Red Iron Acceptance, LLC, the new commercial finance entity will provide U.S. distributors and dealers and select Canadian distributors of the Toro and Exmark brands with a source of floor plan and open account financing. TCFIF’s affiliate, TCF Commercial Finance Canada, Inc., will provide financing to Canadian dealers.
Customer support services for Red Iron will be located at Toro’s headquarters in Bloomington, Minn., with “back office” operations housed at TCFIF’s offices in Hoffman Estates, Ill. Tom Evans will serve as general manager of the new entity.
Kioti Earns USCA Award
Kioti Tractor, a division of Daedong Industrial Co. Ltd. based in Wendell, N.C., has been awarded the 2009 Best of Wendell Award in the industrial tractors category from the U.S. Commerce Association. USCA’s Best of Local Business Awards Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Winners are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers, loyalty to their employees and support of the community.
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Country Clipper Names Distributor of the Year
Country Clipper announced that Boettcher Supply, Inc., Beloit, Kan., earned its 2009 Distributor of the Year Award. Boettcher has dealers in Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri and Colorado, and was recognized for its outstanding results in the areas of sales growth, dealer service, training and customer support.
Bobcat to Consolidate Operations
Bobcat Co. announced that it is transferring all North American machinery production to its original manufacturing facility in Gwinner, N.D., resulting in discontinued production at its plant in Bismarck, N.D., by the end of 2009. Currently, mini excavators, the Toolcat, the S70 skid steer and mini track loaders are manufactured in Bismarck, while all other Bobcat loaders are made in Gwinner.
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Jacobsen Appoints New Regional Sales Managers
Mark Williams has been promoted to the position of western regional manager for Jacobsen. He began his career with the company in 1988 as a sales manager for the Jacobsen factory store, and most recently served as a territory sales manager.
Chuck Greif was appointed to the position of eastern regional manager. Previously, he served in various roles at E-Z-GO.
LandscapeSafety Launches
LandscapeSafety, Inc. announced its official launch. It offers 17 equipment-specific modules in English and Spanish, covering landscape maintenance, landscape construction and golf course maintenance. Training is via an interactive online lesson, with an online exam and practical safety check for every piece of equipment.
Lawn Dawg and Brighton Complete Recapitalization
Lawn Dawg, Inc., Nashua, N.H., announced that Brighton Partners, LLC, Atlanta, Ga., has completed a recapitalization of its lawn care operations, acquiring a 70 percent stake in the business while providing working capital. The company will continue to operate under the Lawn Dawg name and currently operates four facilities.
Good Ideas Names VP of Sales & Marketing
Scott T. Jonap was named vice president of sales and marketing for Good Ideas, Inc., Lake City, Pa. He has over 25 years of senior-level sales and marketing experience in the lawn and garden, hardware and home improvement markets.
PBI/Gordon Supports GreenCare for Troops
PBI/Gordon Corp. held a contest to support Project EverGreen’s GreenCare for Troops program. The company’s employee-owners were divided into teams to compete to see who could collect the most coins in their collection jar. A total of $2,000 was raised for Buck it Up for Military Families, which the company has agreed to match. Buck it Up is an industry fund-raising program that supports GreenCare.
Smart Releases Podcast
Dr. Miles M. “Bud” Smart of Audubon Environmental has released a podcast discussing the process of choosing a sustainability consulting company. He addresses how to choose a consulting company, clearly identify goals and objectives and avoid “greenwash” (companies that are not actually credible firms).
The podcast can be downloaded at www.mmimarketing.com/podcast/dr-bud-smart-of-audubon-environmental-
discusses-choosing-a-sustainable-consulting-company .
Fallbrook and Hydro-Gear Sign Agreement
Fallbrook Technologies, Inc. has signed a manufacturing license agreement with Hydro-Gear. Under the agreement, the companies will develop new applications using Fallbrook’s NuVinci infinitely variable transmission. Hydro-Gear has exclusive rights to manufacture and sell IVT NuVinci products in the residential and commercial lawn and garden market.
Converted Organics Products Suppress Disease in Trials
A comprehensive scientific review suggests that Converted Organics liquid fertilizers boost disease suppression characteristics in plants. William Torello, professor emeritus of plant and soil sciences at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, found that this is due to the fertilizer’s high levels of hormones and antioxidants.
Mowers Direct Expands Lawn Tool Offering
MowersDirect.com is broadening its selection of lawn and garden tools. The online store, one of nine operated by Power Equipment Direct, now carries a complete selection of lawn tools from brands including Husqvarna, Poulan Pro, Snapper, Toro, Tanaka, Weedeater and Worx.
Weingartz Launches Parts Web Site
Weingartz launched www.weingartzparts.com, a Web site providing access to the company’s inventory of more than 55,000 parts. The site is searchable by both model number and part type. Weingartz is an outdoor power equipment retailer founded in 1945.
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Seedway Hosts Event at Turf Trials
Seedway, Hall, N.Y., hosted a tour of turf seed research trials in Lewisburg, Pa., for turf seed salespeople and customers. Attendees reviewed hundreds of turf-type tall fescue and ryegrass varieties that are being examined for possible commercial release. Seedway partners with Allied Seed, Nampa, Idaho, and McCarthy Research Farms, Forest Grove, Ore., on turf variety evaluations at the Lewisburg facility.
Talbert Announces New Finance Program
Talbert Mfg., Inc. announced Talbert Advantage Credit, a financing program available to qualifying customers for new trailer purchases made through participating dealers. The program is supported by a number of top financial institutions that offer a variety of programs designed specifically for the needs of owner-operators, heavy haulers and companies of all sizes.
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