Industry Update

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Ventrac Announces New Web Site

Venture Products, Inc., manufacturer of the Ventrac compact tractor, has launched a newly designed Web site at www.ventrac.com. The site includes additional product information, Ventrac Advantage pages, customer testimonial pages, a Markets section highlighting various sales markets and Monthly Featured Product information. It also features easier navigation, a wider knowledge base, expanded photo and video gallery, and links to Ventrac’s blog, Facebook page, YouTube videos and Twitter.

Griff’s Donates to Shriners

Jeff and Barbara Griffin, owners of Griff’s Small Engine, LLC, Clayton, N.C., donated a Country Clipper zero-turn mower to the Amran Ragtops, a unit of the Shriners Organization, to help raise money for the Shriners Hospitals for Children. The raffle raised over $8,000, and the winner of the mower was Herbert Guthrie, Zebulon, N.C.

Ruppert Honors Award Recipients

Ruppert Landscape presented its annual awards at a banquet. Drew Dummann received the Achievement Award and Fred Key received the Clyde Vadner Merit Award. Impact Awards were presented to Shannon Berkheimer, Patty Pescrille, Mark Innis, Kristine Pereira, Leroy Barton, Bill Angelis, Kevin Kelly, Bonita Wakeling, James Carey, Nick Graves, April Rose and Roxanne Owens.

Robert Olinger

Olinger Named VP for Forestry Resources

Forestry Resources appointed Robert Olinger to the position of vice president of sales, marketing and store operations. He originally joined Forestry Resources in 1997 as vice president of landscape supply and went on to become director of landscape operations for WCI Communities. Olinger holds a bachelor’s degree in parks and recreation administration from Ohio State University.

PERC Hosts Propane Summit

The Propane Education & Research Council hosted the 2010 Propane Engine Fuel Summit in Chantilly, Va. It highlighted a comprehensive program in on and off-road propane vehicles and applications, as well as the latest developments in propane technology. Representatives from Toyota, Mitsubishi, Caterpillar, Kohler, Dixie Chopper, Ferris, Cub Cadet, Lehr Industries, EnviroGard and other firms participated in the summit.

New States Sign On to Online Golf Auction

Rounds4Research.com, an online golf auction benefiting turfgrass research, now features rounds in five states. Georgia, Texas and Virginia have signed on to the campaign that originated in North and South Carolina last year. The auction generated $55,000 in new funding for turfgrass research at Clemson and North Carolina State universities in its first year. Auction proceeds from courses in Georgia, Texas and Virginia will be directed to advancing turfgrass research and practices in the respective states.

Sarlo Celebrates 75 Years of Family Business

Sarlo Power Mowers, Inc. announced the celebration of its 75th year of continuous family ownership and operation. The Sarlo family has been manufacturing its trademark lawnmowers in Fort Myers, Fla., since 1935. The company operates its flagship retail store and manufacturing plant in Fort Myers, with additional stores in Naples and Bonita Springs.

Rowe Joins Cub Cadet for GreenCare Mission

Cub Cadet and Mike Rowe, host of Discovery Channel’s “Dirty Jobs,” are issuing a new “Get Ready to Get Dirty” challenge, asking people to help support American troops. Cub Cadet has been the financial underwriter of Project EverGreen’s GreenCare for Troops organization since its inception in 2006. This year the company partnered with Rowe on a special project to clean up a soldier’s property. Video of the project is available at www.cubcadet.com/greencare, and fans of Rowe can get his perspective at www.mikeroweworks.com/greencare.

Eclipse 322 in Full Production

Jacobsen announced that its latest generation riding greensmower, the Eclipse 322, has begun full production at the company’s manufacturing center in Charlotte, N.C. The mowers are available in three models (battery, gas hybrid and diesel hybrid) and have been designed to lower operating costs, increase productivity and provide cutting consistency on all types of greens.

LFI Launches Design Symposia

The 2010 Lightfair International has broadened its educational programming with the launch of the Design Symposia. The initiative will present four 90-minute symposia, including “Changing the Orientation by 180° at 6500K” with Ken Lewis; “Lighting: The Most Important Aspect of Interior Design” with Michael Bedner; “Create Iconic Places: Lighting is a Big Player” with Mark Rios; and “Sustainable Design & Architecture in Mexico” with Tatiana Bilbao. LFI is scheduled for May 10-14 in Las Vegas, Nev.

Case Announces Emissions Technology Choices

Case Construction Equipment announced that it is ready to meet the next two phases of emissions requirements. Tier 4 interim standards begin in 2011, and Tier 4 final standards come into effect beginning in 2014. Case is using two distinct technologies, cooled exhaust gas recirculation and selective catalytic reduction, to address Tier 4 interim standards across its product line. When Case machines meet Tier 4 final standards, they will have achieved a 90 percent reduction in particulate matter and nitrogen oxides, compared to Tier 3.

Barnyard Supply Launches New Web Site

Barnyard Supply Ltd. launched a new e-commerce Web site at www.barnyardproducts.com. It features a variety of lawn and garden supplies from small, family-owned businesses throughout the U.S. and Canada.

PACE Named Distributor of the Year

Wright presented its 2009 Distributor of the Year Award to PACE, Inc., Plymouth, Mich. PACE also earned the award in 2006 and 2008, as well as the Market Expansion and Salesman of the Year awards in 2007.

TWCA Debuts at TPI Conference

The Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance made its debut at the midwinter conference of Turfgrass Producers International. TWCA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the environment through water conservation initiatives. It recognizes and promotes plants that can thrive using limited amounts of water.

Maruyama Hires Anderson, Holds Training

Maruyama U.S., Inc. hired Ben Anderson as regional sales manager for the western region of North America. Previously, he worked for C&N Tractor and Berchtold Equipment Co. He has over 10 years of sales experience.

Maruyama held a training seminar for distributor technical service managers. Technical representatives from 10 distributorships in North America attended the four-day meeting, held at the company’s headquarters in Denton, Texas.

Redi-Rock Announces Rocky Award Winners

Redi-Rock International announced the winners of the annual Rocky Awards for 2009. The winners included Piedmont Precast, Atlanta, Ga., Commercial Wall of the Year; Redi-Rock Structures of OKI, Independence, Ky., Water Application Wall of the Year; Puget Sound Precast, Tacoma, Wash., Residential Wall of the Year; Redi-Rock Walls of New England, with offices throughout New England, Freestanding Wall of the Year; and Foster Supply, Inc., Scott Depot, W.Va., New Product of the Year.

Meyda Offers Custom Capabilities Brochure

Meyda Custom Lighting offers a 10-page color brochure featuring its extensive custom capabilities. The company’s diverse group of designers and engineers create custom fixtures, lamps, windows or accessories to meet the exact specifications of any project.

Blue Water to Carry Ashland Products

Fertilizer produced by Ashland Hercules Water Technologies, a commercial unit of Ashland, Inc., is now available exclusively through Blue Water Agronomy The products include bluAgro Chip, bluAgro Granular and bluAgro Powder.

From left, Charles Gershowitz, Rose Mary Becker (national accounts manager), Lou Dalrymple, Diane Adams (vice president of sales and marketing support) and Roger Zimmerman.

Schiller Expands Sales Team

Schiller Grounds Care, Inc. has hired Lou Dalrymple as director of sales for retail, rental and national accounts. Previously, he worked for Airlessco and Parks Corp. Charles Gershowitz and Roger Zimmerman have joined the team as technical services managers. They will report directly to Dalrymple.

Kubota Provides Earthquake Relief Donations

Kubota Corp.’s affiliated companies in the U.S. and Canada, including Kubota Tractor Corp., Kubota Credit Corp., Kubota Mfg. of America, Kubota Industrial Equipment, Kubota Engine America Corp. and Kubota Canada, Ltd., have donated $50,000 in equipment in-kind for ongoing relief efforts following the earthquake in Haiti. Kubota has provided generators and other electronic and first aid supplies through the California-based Operation USA. Kubota Corp. of Osaka, Japan, has made a contribution of $110,000 to the Japanese Red Cross Society for earthquake relief assistance.

Marc BoissonnaultAnthony Warren

News from Kioti

Kioti Tractor has launched a Facebook fan page to communicate corporate, product and general tractor news. The new page allows Kioti to post news releases, marketing polls and surveys, product and corporate videos, and photos, as well as generate discussion about its products.

Marc Boissonnault has joined Kioti as territory manager for Quebec and Atlantic Canada. He has served as director of sales for Ag Dealer Magazine, territory manager for a distributor in eastern Canada and Ontario territory manager for a farm equipment supply OEM.

Anthony Warren was named purchasing manager for Kioti’s line of compact tractors and UTVs. Most recently, he was a commodity manager/team leader for the North American Cranes Division of Terex, and he has also worked for John Deere.