Industry Update

Source: www.TurfMagazine.com

Venture Products Earns Business Growth Award

Venture Products, Inc. has been selected for the second year in a row as a Cascade Capital Corp. Business Growth Award honoree for 2009. The awards honor businesses in Summit, Medina, Portage, Wayne, Ashland and Holmes counties in Ohio that have increased sales over the previous five years.

Joe Montross, left, and Jamie Cerda, center, accept the Judges Beautification Award from Sal Gonzalez.

Bemus Landscape Receives Awards

Bemus Landscape, Inc. received two awards recognizing its commitment to environmental stewardship on both a national and local level. The company was honored by the Professional Landcare Network with a National Merit Award for its work at Talega, a residential community in San Clemente, Calif. The Orange County chapter of the California Landscape Contractors Association presented Bemus with the Judges Beautification Award for its landscape management of One Ford Road, a development in Newport Beach, Calif.

Garvin Named Interim President & CEO of TCIA

Mark Garvin, chief program officer, has been named interim president and chief executive officer of the Tree Care Industry Association. He succeeds Cynthia Mills, who notified the board of directors in September that she would be leaving to take a new position and manage family responsibilities. Garvin has served in various positions at TCIA since joining the organization in 1996. He was promoted to chief program officer in 2008 from vice president of public policy and communications.

Scott Arnett

Arnett Joins LCI

Scott Arnett has joined Nevada-based Land Care, Inc. as vice president of operations. Previously, he worked for Swingle Tree Co., and he has more than two decades of landscape experience.

King Announces Contest Winners

King Innovation announced the winners of its Connect and Collect Promotion: Joe DiBlasi, Centennial, Colo.; Steve Terviel, Osage Beach, Mo.; and John Goiangios, Hartford, Conn. Each will receive one year’s worth of free DryConn Wire Connectors. The online promotion was held in conjunction with the kickoff of King’s new Web site.

Tony Brown

Brown Joins Kioti

Kioti has appointed Tony Brown to the position of national sales manager. He holds a business degree from Indian River State College and has a diverse range of managerial experience at both the dealer and manufacturing levels. Brown has worked for JCB, Brevard Tractor and Berggren Equipment Co.

Ariens Acquires Parker

Ariens Co. has acquired the assets of Parker Co., Inc., Phoenix, Ariz. Ariens will continue to sell Parker products through two-step distribution channels in the outdoor power equipment market. The products will also be made available as brands sold directly to the independent dealer channel for the fall 2010 cleanup season. Ariens will produce the Parker products at its manufacturing facility in Auburn, Neb.

Ken Rust

Rust Joins Kasco

Kasco Marine hired Ken Rust, whose duties will include sales and marketing assistance. His prior work experience includes over 15 years in both aquaculture and pond management. He graduated from Louisiana State University with a bachelor’s degree in animal science and a master’s in fisheries.

Toro Acquires Assets of TYCROP

The Toro Co. has acquired certain assets from TYCROP Mfg. Ltd., Rosedale, B.C., which manufactures topdressing and material handling equipment. TYCROP products will be marketed under the Toro brand and sold through Toro’s distribution channel in the U.S. and international markets.

Gary Morgan

Morgan Travels for “Grass Routes” Effort

Gary A. Morgan, president of Dixie Chopper, spent five weeks on the road in a “grass routes” effort designed to demonstrate the company’s commitment to a successful 2010. He started in Greencastle, Ind., and attended 22 meetings with dealers in 17 states.

Yanmar Consolidates Operations

Yanmar America will relocate its industrial engine division and parts department from its current Buffalo Grove, Ill., location to its North American corporate headquarters in Adairsville, Ga. The transfer is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2010. Sales, engineering and service groups will be maintained in Buffalo Grove.