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.
DriWater Hires Dorcy and Miller
DriWater, Inc. has hired Bridget Dorcy and Nathan Miller to the northern California team. Dorcy has worked in the landscape contracting industry for several years, and she will work directly with landscape contractors and landscape distributors from Bakersfield to the Oregon border. Miller has worked in the landscape industry since graduating from Cal Poly. He will work with landscape architects and government agencies from Bakersfield to the Oregon border.
New E85 Station Opens in Arizona
The Renewable Fuels Association announced the opening of the first E85 station in Coolidge, Ariz. A grand opening celebration was held, with a ribbon-cutting and comments from city officials. The station was opened in conjunction with Coolidge Chevron (Discovery Fuels), Pinal Energy and the Tucson Regional Clean Cities Coalition.
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Hawthorne CAT Promotes Carcioppolo, Creates Alliance
Hawthorne CAT has promoted Mike Carcioppolo to corporate manager of its Rental Services. He will be responsible for rental operations in San Diego, Calif., Hawaii and Guam. Carcioppolo has worked at Hawthorne for over 20 years.
Hawthorne CAT has also formed a new alliance with Laser West Positioning, Inc. to provide the best GPS technology and service to contractors in San Diego and Hawaii. Laser West is based in Vista, Calif.
Lassenite Pozzolan Study Funding Approved
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California chose Western Pozzolan’s project for funding under its Innovative Conservation Program. The project, “Lassenite Pozzolan Turf Irrigation Study,” is being conducted in conjunction with Drs. Laosheng Wu and Robert Green of the University of California, Riverside, and Gail Materials. The Innovative Conservation Program provides funding to promote new, innovative devices, technologies and strategies that save water and energy and reduce urban runoff to help achieve regional water supply reliability.
Turf Pride Expands Production
Turf Pride has expanded 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.
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.
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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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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