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Loftness Adds Lightweight Mulching Head For Compact Excavators
Jessica Schwartz
UTVs: Equipment To Build Business
Utility vehicles are a growing product category for many segments of the industry, and can provide landscape contractors and facility managers with a versatile piece of equipment for their fleets. UTVs (sometimes called side-by-sides) were developed with work in mind, initially used in outdoor applications like ranching, farming, and hunting. Now, they’ve been adopted by industry and deployed on construction sites, college campuses, sports fields, and with their range of attachments, can be adapted to fit a range of use cases in the landscape industry. Use cases. Utility vehicles offer landscape contractors and a multipurpose piece of equipment that can work year-round. What makes UTVs such a practical addition to a landscape management fleet are the many attachments and accessories that these machines support. Depending on your needs, these vehicles can be configured as people movers in crowded stadiums, fitted with a plow or brush to clear snow along sidewalks and driveways in a city center, or kitted out with racks and a tank and used as a landscape maintenance crew vehicle on a corporate campus. An outdoor power equipment dealer or retailer can advise on the best UTV and attachments to purchase based on current or future application needs. Getting around. The customization for UTVs isn’t limited to attachments. These vehicles are powerful outdoor equipment, and can be equipped with winches, treads, and four-wheel drive to help them reach locations that can be difficult for crews to access by foot or with a large pick-up truck. First responders ...
15 Rescue Dogs Find Homes At Equip Exposition
Fifteen lucky pups are settling into their new homes this week just in time for Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, which takes place November 1 to 7. The rescue dogs, all from the Kentucky Humane Society (KHS), found permanent homes during Lucky’s Mutt Madness, according to the TurfMutt Foundation, the environmental stewardship and education arm of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI). The annual national dog adoption event is held in conjunction with the Equip Exposition trade show, which gives rescued dogs a chance to meet hundreds of trade show attendees. “For the dogs, the event was all about finding a permanent home,” says Kris Kiser, President of the TurfMutt Foundation, OPEI and Equip Exposition, “…and for the show’s attendees who create the green spaces America loves. Bringing home a new pet underscores the importance of what they do every day—get outside, work in it, and enjoy it.” When Zachary Watson, owner of Site Pros Landscaping, and Alissa Wells stopped by Lucky’s Mutt Madness, they weren’t planning to adopt a dog. Then they met feisty Kaia, a spaniel mix, and “it just happened,” they explained. Kaia is settling into her new home near Orlando with their five-year-old lab mix, Snowman, and both dogs accompany them to work. “We haven’t had a puppy for five years and she zooms around the house!” they said. Ace, an American bulldog mix, caught the eye of Jacqui Hubacek, who wanted to adopt a dog that could play with her two boys, Greyson and Ayden. ...
GIE+EXPO To Become Equip Exposition In 2022
The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) announces that GIE+EXPO will rebrand and relaunch in 2022 as Equip Exposition, evolving the industry’s largest tradeshow. Equip will be held October 19-21 in Louisville, KY. Concurrent with the launch of Equip Exposition, the OPEI Board of Directors and President Kris Kiser, opened new show offices on Main Street in Louisville. The ribbon-cutting event was attended by Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, Secretary of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet Michael Berry, and other invited guests. “We’re excited to announce this evolution of our industry-leading tradeshow,” said Kris Kiser, President of OPEI. “The opening of our new office shows the investment our industry has in the event and in its long-standing location of Louisville. With OPEI bringing the management of the show wholly under the association’s umbrella, it was time to re-envision the event while honoring its long history.” Equip Exposition will bring on veteran show management staff and Karen Williams, longtime head of Louisville Tourism, as Senior Vice President of Partnerships and Development. Plans underway to expand education opportunities and enhance the attendee and exhibitor experience include: Trace Adkins will headline the concert series David Feherty will give the opening keynote A series of educational workshops will be hosted The TurfMutt Foundation will launch the first-ever Mulligan’s 5K and Fun Run in downtown Louisville “Equip Exposition is where the landscape changes, and is the place for landscape contractors, outdoor power equipment dealers, distributors, and manufacturers to connect, learn, and grow,” Kiser said. “… ...
OPEI Holds Annual Meeting, Adds New Board Member
The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) held its 2021 Annual Meeting recently in Kohler, WI, with 120 members and guests reconnecting in person at the American Club. Keynote sessions focused on technology innovation, the dynamic political landscape, and leadership, as well as industry updates on GIE+EXPO and the TurfMutt Foundation’s ongoing messaging on the importance of “backyarding.” The event featured sponsor support and included the annual Karen Williams Invitational golf tournament. “Our record sponsor support, and the significant member attendance is evidence that the industry is back, and bodes well for EXPO this October,” said Kris Kiser, President of OPEI and the TurfMutt Foundation. “We have several in-person meetings slated at our Alexandria headquarters building and are looking forward to a successful trade show this fall in Louisville.” The OPEI Board of Directors met in conjunction with the event, approving the 2021-22 Board slate, and adding Mike Clancy, CEO of Chervon North America (right), as new member of the Board. The full 2021-22 Executive Committee comprises: Chair Tom Duncan, Executive Board Member, Positec USA (left); Vice Chair Joe Wright, President and CEO, Excel Industries, Inc.; Secretary/Treasurer: Brian Melka, Group President – Power, Kohler Co.; Immediate Past Chair Rick Olson, Chairman and CEO, The Toro Company; GIE+EXPO Show Chairman Dan Ariens, Chairman and CEO, Ariens Company; and Kris Kiser, President of OPEI. Rounding out the Board are: Mike Clancy, CEO, Chervon North America Tim Dorsey, President, Echo Incorporated Bjoern Fischer, President, STIHL Peter Hampton, President and CEO, Active Exhaust Corporation Robert ...
OPEI Year-End Report & 2021 Forecast
The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, or OPEI, released its forecast last month, showing growth across the industry despite an ongoing pandemic and downward market pressures, and predicting continued positive activity into 2021. The past year saw expansion of both gas and battery/electric equipment, with all electric and battery powered segments tracked by OPEI posting double-digit growth. “We expect demand for outdoor power equipment to remain strong into 2021 as homeowners expand their connection to their living landscape and invest in the maintenance of their outdoor spaces. Consumer demand remains high, and inventories at outdoor power equipment dealers remain tight,” commented Kris Kiser, President and CEO of OPEI. Overall, the industry saw shipments of outdoor power equipment increase by more than 5 million units – a jump of 16% from last year – and those levels are expected to remain elevated in 2021. An increase in consumer sales offset a slight decline in the commercial segment. Consumer lawn mower shipments grew more than 15% in 2020, with 7.7 million units shipped. While commercial lawn mower shipments were down about 5% in 2020 compared to 2019 (with more than 308,000 shipped), they are expected to grow by more than 5% in 2021. Handheld power equipment shipments grew by more than 17% in 2020, with 29.3 million units shipped. “Commercial products are down a bit this year, as professional landscape contractors have been conservative during this period of uncertainty. They’ve been saving and will likely be in a strong cash position in the ...
12 On-Demand Education Sessions Available From GIE+EXPO ToGo
Twelve free education sessions have just been added on GIE+EXPO ToGo. The online portal that has been connecting industry members to the new innovations they would have found at the show, now offers four education tracks – landscape contractor, dealer/retailer, grounds management, and hardscape. It can be accessed anytime, anywhere through the end of 2020. Here are some of the GIE+EXPO ToGo sessions: Landscape Contractor Track: presented by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) Disciplines and Tactics for Exponential Growth Judy Guido Triple your profits, double your cashflow and increase your company valuation tenfold with the disciplines and tactics outlined in this exciting business strategy session. Discover how to free up your time so you can focus on attracting and retaining top talent, and learn how to leverage marketing and human resources to minimize your recruiting and workforce development problems. Build a team that’s accountable, efficient and happy to come to work, and watch your business grow! Recruit Like a Pro Kelly Dowell Learn simple, high-impact ways to leverage online marketing to attract new employees to your lawn care or landscaping business. Explore best practices for optimizing your website to attract, engage, convince and convert potential applicants. Learn how to write a persuasive job post, and find out when and where to post it for maximum ROI. Dig deep into Indeed, Craigslist and LinkedIn to attract top talent while avoiding common pitfalls. Finally, you don’t want to miss Kelly’s favorite tech tools and email hacks that will make your ...
OPEI Board Of Directors Appoints New Leadership
The Board of Directors of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) have announced new leadership at the helm, with the appointment of Rick Olson, Chairman, President and CEO, The Toro Company as Chairman. The board also elected several new executive committee members to the 2020-2021 roster. OPEI is an international trade association representing power equipment, small engine, portable generator, utility vehicle, golf car and personal transport vehicle manufacturers and suppliers. Olson takes on chairmanship duties during an unprecedented time in the association’s history, including the canceling of its spring annual meeting and the postponement of GIE+EXPO to 2021. “Change and creativity are the watchwords of OPEI this year,” he says. “No one could have predicted how 2020 would unfold, but the association is ready to tackle the challenges ahead from how we meet and connect with one another to reassessing our priorities. We’ve learned through this pandemic just how important our outdoor spaces are to our mental and physical health.” Adds Kris Kiser, President and CEO of OPEI and the TurfMutt Foundation: “Rick is the right person to lead us through a tumultuous time and genuine uncertainty. Toro is a significant player in the business, and the company has had a longtime leadership role at OPEI. We are very fortunate to have him as Chair.” OPEI’s 2020-2021 officers and members of its Board of Directors are: Chair: Mr. Rick Olson, Chairman, President and CEO, The Toro Company Vice Chair: Mr. Tom Duncan, Executive Board Member, Positec USA, Inc. Secretary/Treasurer: Mr. ...
Get Yards Ready For Fall With Six Tips From TurfMutt
For more than a decade, the TurfMutt environmental education and stewardship program has advocated the importance of managed landscapes and other green space as critical to human health and happiness. Since 2009, The TurfMutt Foundation has reached more than 70 million children, educators, and families. The program is directed by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), which provides tips and reminders to help families and backyard enthusiasts stay safe when using outdoor power equipment. This year is different, reports OPEI, as the world experiences a paradigm shift in how we live our everyday lives. “Due to the pandemic, we are all re-discovering the importance of connecting to the outdoors. We’re seeing record sales in yard and garden equipment and supplies, and more interest in working and living surrounded by green space,” said Kris Kiser, President of OPEI and the TurfMutt Foundation. “People want their own section of the outdoors, and they see how a yard can both keep us safe and help us connect with one another. “Your patch of grass outside your back door is not only a safe space for you, your family and pets, but it’s also part of the larger ecosystem,” he continued. “By taking care of our personal green spaces, we are taking care of the planet.” Here are six tips from Mutt Mulligan, a rescue dog and the spokesdog of the TurfMutt Foundation, to get yards ready for fall and winter: Be purposeful in how you maintain your landscape. Many people are sprucing up ...
