Industry Update

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Chris and Alyssa Vaughn

Walker Announces Giveaway Winner

Alyssa Vaughn, Lawrenceville, Ga., was announced as the winner of Walker Mfg.’s Get Out Front Mower Giveaway. Vaughn and her husband Chris received a Walker Model MT Grass Handling System with a 48-inch deck, delivered by Walker distributor Lawn Equipment Enterprises of Waycross, Ga., and local dealer Howard Bros. of North Atlanta, Ga.

The giveaway encompassed 30 days of registration, 106,728 entries and 290 prizes given away-including the tractor and deck. The contest was a kickoff of the newly updated www.walkermowers.com.

Shemin Adds Three Sites in Texas

Shemin, The Landscape Supply Company, opened its three newest locations in Texas. Adding the three former Skinner locations brings Shemin’s total number of locations to 29 and expands its market into Texas. The new sites are in Manor (Austin area), Lewisville (Dallas area) and Houston. Shemin plans to expand the product line over time at these locations to include a broad mix of hardlines, turf, irrigation and lighting products.

CPEC and Turf Teq Partner Up

Compact Power Equipment Centers (CPEC) and Turf Teq have partnered up to offer new products through their rental and sales networks. Under the agreement, CPEC will be rolling out Turf Teq’s 1035 PRI Landscape Rake and 1305BR Power Broom to their rental stores located in select locations of the Home Depot Tool Rental Center.

Fecon Announces New Dealer

Fecon announced Vermeer Midwest as its dealer and service provider in Illinois, Indiana, eastern Missouri and the Detroit area of Michigan. Vermeer Midwest, founded in 1971, will offer Fecon’s line of Bull Hog mulchers, FTX track carriers and various other forestry attachments.

Mid-Am Board Elects First Female President

For the first time in its history, the Mid-America Horticultural Trade Show has elected a woman to serve as president of the board of directors. Barbara Rosborough, of Rosborough Partners, Inc. in Libertyville, Ill., will serve a one-year term as president. Mid-Am also elected Bill Vogel as vice president; Carsten Hoffmeyer as secretary; and Dave Story as treasurer. Vogel and Story were reappointed to the board as representatives of the Wisconsin Green Industry Federation and the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association, respectively. Veronica Krenzel was elected to serve as a director representing the Illinois Green Industry Association.

Buffalo Turbine’s Walker attachment.

Buffalo Turbine Begins 11th Year with GHS

GHS Corp., a Walker distributor located in Denton, N.C., has been assigned as Buffalo Turbine’s North American distributor for the Walker Front Mounted Turbine Debris Blower attachment. GHS has distributed the attachment since 1999 and serves eastern Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Delaware.

Jeff CliniteGrant Rundblade

Redexim Announces New Staff Members

Redexim Turf Products, the factory direct store for Redexim North America, announced the addition of two new staff members, Jeff Clinite and Grant Rundblade. Clinite, formerly of MTI Distributing, will manage inside sales and the new retail Web site. Rundblade, who previously worked at Alpine Hills Golf Course, will cover the Chicago area as a salesperson.

Valley Towing Partners with Revstone

Valley Towing Products has entered a partnership agreement with Revstone Industries, LLC. Under this agreement, Valley will become part of REM-Tec, Revstone’s aftermarket group of businesses, and continue to conduct business under the name of Valley Towing Products. The existing management team will remain in place, including George Caplea, president and CEO; Richard Marsden, CFO; Larry Fisher, vice president of sales and marketing; Chris Fudala, vice president of engineering; and Brian Rishell, vice president of global sourcing and purchasing.

Thomas White

White Joins Kioti

Kioti Tractor appointed Thomas White to the position of territory manager for Florida, Alabama and Georgia. He has over 20 years of business experience, serving most recently with the Komatsu Utility Division. White holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Wayne State College and has served in the U.S. Army.

Notes from Case

Case Construction Equipment announced the production start-up of a new line of military skid steers and compact track loaders. Case is providing the equipment as part of a $160 million contract with the U.S. Army TACOM that could span 10 years, depending on contract renewals.

Case also announced the sale of its interest in LBX Co. LLC to S.C.M. (America), Inc., an affiliate of Sumitomo Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. LBX is now wholly owned by Sumitomo. The existing global supply alliance between S.C.M. and CNH Global will remain intact.

EasyPro Celebrates 40 Years

EasyPro Pond Products is celebrating its 40th anniversary with an open house in Grant, Mich., on July 22 and 23. Steve and LeAnn Ouwinga founded the company in 1970 as Stoney Creek Fisheries. The event will include over $5,000 in door prizes and giveaways, as well as free seminars. For more information, visit www.easypropondproducts.com/form/2010openhouse.htm.

Jeff HebbardBob Bradford
John HornBill Engler

News from Ariens

Ariens Co. announced it has signed an agreement with W.W. Grainger, Inc. The company will supply select outdoor power equipment products under four brand names: Ariens, Sno-Thro, EverRide and Parker. The lineup is available online at www.grainger.com and will be listed in the upcoming 2011 Grainger catalog.

Jeff Hebbard will assume the new role of president of Ariens Co. Wholegoods Business. He previously held the position of senior vice president of sales, marketing and product development.

Bob Bradford will assume the new title of senior vice president of operations. Bradford previously held the position of vice president of manufacturing, supply chain and logistics.

John Horn will serve as vice president of sales for Ariens Wholegoods. Previously, he was director of international, turf, government and distributor sales.

Bill Engler has been named as director of sales, LSC, distributor and industrial. Engler previously held the position of director of sales for North America.

Clarkson Joins JCB

Van Clarksonhas joined JCB as vice president of sales for the eastern region of North America. He has worked for Komatsu Finance America, Inc., Associates Commercial Corp. and Hyster Co. Clarkson holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and an MBA in leadership and organizational change management from North Central College.

Jacklin Celebrates 75th Anniversary

Jacklin Seed marks its 75th business anniversary in 2010. The organization, which is now known in the industry as Jacklin Seed by Simplot, was started in 1936 by Arden Jacklin and his father, brothers and other relatives in Dishman, Wash. Simplot Co. acquired Jacklin in 1997. Today, the company seasonally employs 100 people, primarily in Idaho and Oregon. Jacklin operates the largest privately funded grass research facility in the world at its site in Post Falls, Idaho, and sells grass seed to a variety of customers.

Water Experts Gather at Summit

U.S. water experts convened in Washington, D.C., for the 11th Intelligent Use of Water Summit: State of the Union. The summit focused on providing greater insight into the water conservation policies and legislation, programs, initiatives and trends that ultimately steer city and statewide efforts to reduce outdoor water waste. The event was presented by Rain Bird, in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution. Susan McGinnis moderated the panel, which included Paul Goble, Karen Guz, Elizabeth Hurst, Karla Wilson, Mark Risse and Doug Bennett.

News from Ditch Witch

Ditch Witch launched Ditch Witch Safe, a new safety program featuring a library of “Safety Matters” training and information sheets available in both English and Spanish. They address a wide range of topics, including working in trenches/pits, safely transporting equipment, rollover protection, electrical strike education and more.

Ditch Witch announced the continuation of the Partners Program with John Deere Landscapes. The program provides many benefits to customers, who earn 40 JDL points for every $100 spent on qualifying Ditch Witch equipment.

The Charles Machine Works, Inc., manufacturer of Ditch Witch equipment, has acquired 100 percent ownership of HammerHead Trenchless Equipment, manufactured by Earth Tool Co., LLC, Oconomowoc, Wis. The acquisition makes ETC a wholly owned subsidiary of CMW.

Aquascape Sets Pondemonium Dates

Aquascape, Inc. announced the dates for Pondemonium 2010. The event will be held August 5-7 in St. Charles, Ill., and the theme is Back to Basics: Helping Each Other Grow. For more information on courses and schedules, visit www.pondemonium.org.

Atlas Commits to Sustainable Productivity

Atlas Copco has launched a new brand promise, “Committed to Sustainable Productivity.” It encompasses all Atlas Copco divisions. The concept refers to an entire set of corporate values that embraces a long-term view of commitment, interaction and innovation that improves product quality and productivity, while simultaneously benefiting Atlas Copco customers and the global community at large.

CONTECH Opens First Mexican Facility

CONTECH Construction Products, Inc. opened its first Mexican facility in Silao, Mexico. The new manufacturing facility provides the company with the footprint and infrastructure to support its expansion into Mexico, Central America and South America.

John Deere built its 5 millionth lawn tractor in Wisconsin.

John Deere Builds 5 Millionth Tractor

John Deere rolled its 5 millionth lawn tractor off the assembly line at the manufacturing facility in Horicon, Wis. A model from the Select Series X700 Ultimate lineup was manufactured as the 5 millionth lawn tractor. Production of the first lawn and garden tractor began at the Horicon facility in 1963.

Profile Holds Distributor Meeting

Profile Products LLC held its first international distributor meeting in Hickory, N.C. It primarily focused on the value of engineering and agronomic considerations to ensure cost-effective erosion control and vegetative establishment practices. Attendees from countries around the world received detailed educational information about a broad range of Profile’s products and technologies available for many different types of projects and applications.

Peter KalessisLaura Wiktorek

Hires at Ecological Laboratories

Ecological Laboratories announced the hiring of David Schwartz as export manager. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York, Stony Brook, and has a retail business background.

Peter Kalessis has been hired as a microbiologist. He is a graduate of Ohio State University.

The company also hired Laura Wiktorek as manager of its freshwater and marine aquatics laboratory in the Cape Coral, Fla., facility. She has a lifetime of experience working in this environment.

Daniel MillerSerge Bosché

Notes from Gehl

Gehl Co. announced that the Gehl Foundation awarded two $20,000 collegiate scholarships for the academic year beginning in the fall of 2010. The recipients are Max A. Brudvig of Cedarburg, Wis., and Meghan Vogt of Pierce, Neb.

Daniel L. Miller succeeded Malcolm F. Moore as president of the company. He joined Gehl in 2001 as director of manufacturing operations and was appointed to the position of vice president of manufacturing operations in 2005.

Serge Bosché has been promoted to vice president of sales and marketing. He joined the Gehl organization in February 2009, following Manitou B.F.’s acquisition of Gehl Co. in October 2008. He will continue to serve as the president and CEO of Manitou North America, Inc.

Brodrick and Jones Keynote LFI

James Brodrick and Stephen Jones were the featured keynote speakers at Lightfair International 2010. They addressed solid-state lighting and the impact of integrated design on the AEC (architectural, engineering and construction) industry.

Amiad Adds Ooval Valves to Line

Amiad Filtration Systems has added Ooval automatic diaphragm valves to its product lines in the U.S. and Canada. Ooval manufactures a range of hydraulically and electrically operated automatic valves, including pressure reducing valves, pressure sustaining valves, pressure relief valves, remote control valves and more.

Kusta Joins LTR

LTR Products appointed Heidi Kusta to the position of sales assistant. She has worked for Character Counts, Make-A-Wish Foundation, American Heart Association, Studio West Photography and Mundelein High School. Kusta holds a bachelor’s degree in photography from Columbia College Chicago.