Industry Update

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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.

BLEC Changes Name to STEC

BLEC USA, Inc. has undergone several changes, including a new name, STEC, Inc., or Specialized Turf Equipment Co. The name was chosen to more accurately reflect what the company does. The everyday workings of the company will remain the same, and it has added new employees and implemented new policies. It also plans for a larger facility, an increase in personnel and new products.

JCB Launches Encore Program

JCB has launched a program aimed at keeping high-quality used JCB machines available within the marketplace. The Encore Program provides dealers with an affordable opportunity to bring used JCB equipment back to original specifications, making them mechanically sound and correcting any cosmetic or other superficial defects.

Healing Garden Wins Awards

The Healing Garden at St. Luke’s Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wis., received the Grand Award in the 40th Annual Environmental Improvement Award Program sponsored by the Professional Landcare Network. The project was designed by Bill Ferguson of Daniel Weinbach & Partners, Ltd. and implemented by Stano Landscaping. It features indoor and outdoor gardens with walkways, sitting areas, greenery and panoramic views.

Greenwood Group Receives Safety Awards

The Greenwood Group, LLC announced that it was awarded the following 2008 Safety Recognition Awards: No Vehicle Accidents; No Injuries or Illnesses; and No Days Away from Work in the Professional Landcare Network’s annual Safety Recognition Awards Program. The Greenwood Group is a full-service landscape maintenance company serving the residential and commercial communities in St. Louis and St. Charles, Mo.

Greg Wittstock

Aquascape Launches Seminar Tour

Aquascape, Inc. has launched the “Selling, Marketing and Promoting Water Features and Your Business” seminar tour. Presented by Aquascape founder and CEO Greg Wittstock, the tour is scheduled to hit 19 North American cities from January through March 2010. Enrollment is open to all landscape professionals, and more information is available at www.aquascapetraining.com.

Solideal Purchases SPW Industries

Solideal announced its acquisition of SPW Industries, Inc.. SPW, based in Atlanta, Ga., is a service provider and distributor of construction and industrial tires, wheels and rubber tracks.

Acme to Distribute Vast Products

Acme Brick will distribute Vast Enterprises, LLC’s composite masonry products. Under the agreement, Acme now distributes Vast products in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado and New Mexico.

News from GIE+EXPO

Erin McKay, guest of JPH Lawn & Landscape, Bourbonnais, Ill., won $5,000 by attending GIE+EXPO and visiting the exhibits of the participating truck manufacturers. The Trucks of the Industry Giveaway was sponsored by Power Equipment Trade and Turf magazines and featured Ford, Isuzu, GM, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Toyota.

This year’s show featured nearly 16,600 participants, with dealer/retailer registrations up 2 percent from 2008 and merchandiser/buyer registrations up 18 percent. Lawn and garden centers were up 25 percent and distributor numbers were up 9 percent from last year.

New features such as the New Products Arena and the High-Performance Service Pavilion, as well as educational sessions for all segments of the industry, were well-received and added value to the show for attendees and exhibitors alike.

Car Mate Passes Safety Compliance Inspection

Car Mate Trailers, Inc., Leeper, Pa., has again passed the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers’ safety compliance consultation, part of NATM’s voluntary compliance program. The program is based on the NATM Guidelines for Recommended Minimum Manufacturing Practices for Light and Medium-Duty Trailers, which is a compilation of federal safety standards and regulations and industry best practices that govern trailer construction.

Quintessential Launches New Web Site

Quintessential Outdoor Living Co. launched a new, customer-focused Web site at www.indoors2out.com. It features a dealer locator search by zip code, complete dealer list, images and specifications for each oven model, recipes, industry news, frequently asked questions and an e-news sign-up option.

Schréder Appoints Operations Manager

Schréder Lighting USA appointed Mark J. Domzalski to the newly created position of operations manager. He will help start up and oversee the firm’s manufacturing facility and product development department. Previously, he worked for Freudenberg Household Products/O’Cedar.