News from around the Green industry
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New England Grows Attracts Large Crowds, Sells Out Exhibit Hall
More than 14,250 green industry professionals attended New England Grows, which was held at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center in Massachusetts. Education sessions covered such topics as creating lifetime customers, climate change, merchandising techniques, organics, sustainability, insect and disease management, and unique new plants.
During this year’s event, New England Grows contributed to the six New England cooperative extension systems and continued its support of the Boston Schoolyard Initiative, which connects children with horticulture.
New England Grows is an educational partnership between the New England Nursery Association, Associated Landscape Contractors of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Arborists Association and Massachusetts Nursery & Landscape Association.
Personnel Changes at Scag
Scag Power Equipment has appointed John Crowson to the position of president. Crowson is a 23-year veteran of the outdoor power equipment industry. He joined Scag in 1992 as national sales and marketing manager and was promoted to vice president of sales and marketing in 2000. He holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Southern Illinois University and a master’s in finance from the University of St. Thomas. Crowson succeeds Jerry Bailey, who is retiring after 34 years with Metalcraft of Mayville and Scag.
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| John Crowson | Chris Frame | Dennis Opalacz |
Chris Frame was promoted to director of marketing and technical services. He joined Scag in 1996 as an assistant manager and was promoted in 2000 to manager of marketing and strategic technologies.
Dennis Opalacz was promoted to national sales manager. He joined Scag in 2006 as a regional sales manager.
Aquascape Announces Extreme Pond Build
Aquascape, Inc. announced a one-time summer event that is replacing its annual Pondemonium week in 2008. By invitation, a group including Certified Aquascape Contractors, Water Garden Excellence members and authorized AquascapePRO distributors will gather at Aquascape headquarters for the “World’s Most Extreme Pond Build” from July 14-18. The 250-by-90-foot water feature will reside at the entrance of Aqualand, the company’s corporate headquarters.
In addition, the week includes classroom seminars, networking opportunities, pond and garden tours, and social events such as Pond Olympics.
Pondemonium will return for a 10th anniversary celebration in 2009 and will be open to anyone wishing to attend.
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Fackler & Kayton Elected Chairmen for NAEDA
George Fackler was elected chairman of the OPE Dealer Council of the North American Equipment Dealers Association. Fackler owns Fackler Country Gardens, with locations in Granville and Mansfield, Ohio, and is a member of the Ohio-Michigan Equipment Dealers Association. He will also represent OPE dealers on NAEDA’s board of directors.
Steve Kayton was elected chairman of NAEDA’s board of directors. Kayton is a partner and manager of Nebraska Equipment in Seward, Neb. He also has interests in Kayton International, Inc., Horizon West, Inc. and Quad County Implement. Kayton became a member of NAEDA’s board in 2003. He represents the Iowa-Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association.
Mid-Am a Success
More than 11,500 green industry professionals gathered in Chicago for the 2008 Mid-America Horticultural Trade Show. The three-day event featured exhibits from 548 industry companies, filling 104,600 square feet of space.
Educational sessions drew 929 registrants for the Midwinter Conference and preshow Management Workshop. Mid-Am’s education partners, including the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association (ILCA), the Irrigation Association and Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, held classes that attracted another 207 registrants. The Student Career Center registered a record 992 students from more than 37 high schools, colleges and universities from around the Midwest who visited with 66 employers.
The next show is scheduled for January 14-16, 2009. Mid-Am is sponsored by ILCA, the Illinois Green Industry Association and the Wisconsin Green Industry Federation.
MU Study Shows How Plants Fight Pathogens
Shuqun Zhang, associate professor of biochemistry at the University of Missouri, conducted a study that revealed a complex process by which plants counterattack pathogens. This discovery could potentially lead to crops with enhanced disease resistance.
According to the study, plants first sense the attack of a pathogen, and then activate defense responses by triggering a complex signaling cascade. One of the defense responses is the induction and accumulation of antimicrobial defense chemicals known as phytoalexins.
Companies Partner to Provide Satellite Imagery & Analysis
Baxter & Woodman, Inc. and RFP Mapping LLC, both based in Crystal Lake, Ill., have created a strategic relationship to provide high-resolution satellite imagery and analysis to a variety of clients and municipalities throughout northeast Illinois and southeast Wisconsin.
Baxter & Woodman provides civil engineering services to more than 500 municipalities, counties and sanitary districts. RFP specializes in analyzing satellite and vertical aerial imagery. The data will be available to all municipalities in the greater Chicago-land area in early summer 2008.
RFP and NCDC Imaging of Colorado Springs, Colo., are developing a mapping project covering thousands of square miles in the greater Chicago and metropolitan area. The project will create datasets useful in natural resource management. NCDC provides satellite image mapping and change detection services.
Home Nursery Establishes HRI Fund
Home Nursery, Inc., based in Edwardsville, Ill., established the Home Nursery, Inc.—Chuck & Jean Tosovsky Family Fund for the Horticultural Research Institute. Charles Tosovsky announced his donation of $50,000 to HRI during the winter reception. Home Nursery, founded in 1921, serves a 12-state territory and maintains two distribution centers in Albers and O’Fallon, Mo.
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Kenworth Names Dealer of the Year, Dealer Council Members
Custom Truck Sales was named 2007 Kenworth Dealer of the Year for the United States and Canada. Custom Truck Sales has been a Kenworth dealer since 1965 and operates dealerships in Regina, Saskatoon and Estevan, Sask., and Winnipeg, Man., Canada. The 2007 Gold Award winners included Edmonton Kenworth, Inland Kenworth-U.S., Kenworth of South Texas, Kenworth Sales Co. and MHC Kenworth-Oklahoma.
Silver Award winners included Cooper Kenworth, Inland Kenworth (Canada), Kenworth Northwest, Kenworth of South Louisiana, Kenworth Toronto, Long Island Kenworth, Motor Power Kenworth-Great Falls, Truck Enterprises-Chesapeake, Wallwork Kenworth, Worldwide Equipment and MHC Kenworths of Colorado, Kansas City, Tennessee and Texas.
Kenworth has named its 2008 Kenworth Dealer Council members. The council’s goal is to help promote program consistency across the dealer network. The members are Chairman Jay Ellison, Brent Leach, Harry Mamizuka, Dan Penksa, Alex Sykes and Ron Whiteford. In addition, Kyle Treadway serves as the Kenworth ATD line representative.
USCC Conference a Success
The U.S. Composting Council’s 16th Annual Conference and Trade Show drew nearly 1,000 composting and organics recycling professionals and more than 100 exhibitors to Oakland, Calif. Hosted by a record 48 sponsors, the conference attracted representatives from nearly every state and 19 countries.
The conference featured three days of training courses, educational and technical sessions, and equipment demonstrations. Awards were presented for outstanding achievements in the composting industry. Winners included Walter Carey, Hi Kellogg Award for Outstanding Service to the Composting Industry; Roger Tim Haug, Rufus Chaney Award for Research Excellence; Chuck Wilson, Composter of the Year; Claire and Rusty Orner, H. Clark Gregory Award to Promote Grassroots Efforts in Composting; and Britt Faucette, Clean Water Award.
Next year’s conference is scheduled for January 26-29 at the Westin Galleria in Houston, Texas.
PacLease Adds 14 New Locations
PACCAR Leasing Co. continues its expansion with 14 new locations throughout the United States and Canada, bringing the total to 328. The new United States locations are Inland PacLease, Farmington, N.M.; Allstate PacLease, St. Paul and Rogers, Minn.; Gabrielli PacLease, Dayton, N.J.; and Golden State Peterbilt PacLease, Porterville, Fresno and Bakersfield, Calif. The new Canadian locations are Inland PacLease, Prince George and Kamloops, B.C.; Bayview PacLease, Saint John, Fredericton, Sussex and St. Stephen, N.B.; and Edmonton Kenworth PacLease, Lloydminster, Alb.
Maruyama Announces Commercial Warranty
Maruyama U.S., Inc. has introduced a five-year commercial warranty. The new warranty will protect commercial, industrial and residential users against manufacturing, material and workmanship defect for five years from the date of purchase. Maruyama will continue to warranty the ignition modules and inner drive shafts of trimmers and brush cutters for the lifetime of the product.
Spring Garden Acquires Briggs Nursery
The Spring Garden Group, Inc. has completed the acquisition of the business of Briggs Nursery, Inc. Based in Elma, Wash., Briggs provides products based upon the production of tissue culture plantlets, as well as finished woody ornamental plants.
Under the new ownership, Dave Jarzynka, who had previously spent 10 years as vice president of finance and then as president of Briggs, returns as president and chief executive officer. Other senior members of management will also continue in their positions in the company.
Davis Joins Seago
Don Davis has joined Seago International, Inc. as a manufacturers’ representative for all equipment distributed by the company. Davis’ territory will include Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida panhandle. He has almost 20 years of experience in the turf industry.
Calhoun Appointed as Yanmar President
Yanmar America appointed Thomas H. Calhoun to the position of president and COO. He succeeds Akihiko Nakaoka, who will remain through 2008 as the industrial division manager and senior special advisor. Calhoun will operate from Yanmar’s facilities in Adairsville, Ga., while Nakaoka will remain at the industrial division offices in Buffalo Grove, Ill.
Calhoun joined Yanmar in 1999 as a marketing director. Most recently, he served as vice president and then president of Yanmar Marine.
Nufarm & Etigra Reach Agreement
Nufarm Americas, Inc. and Etigra have reached an agreement for Nufarm to acquire Etigra’s assets. Etigra is a privately owned supplier of crop-protection products, specializing in the U.S. turf and specialty markets. The proposed acquisition will strengthen Nufarm’s existing position in the turf and specialty segment by providing additional products and a complementary distribution platform.
NTEP Discusses New Trials
The National Turfgrass Evaluation Program policy committee met to discuss items related to its programs, upcoming trials and potential new trials. Trials slated for establishment in 2008 include bentgrass (putting green and fairway/tee) and fineleaf fescue. Other items discussed include NTEP’s efforts to strengthen its data collection protocols and methods, visits to NTEP trial sites and two new trials in the planning stages. These new trait-specific trials focus on the evaluation of drought and traffic tolerance over multiple species. The trials are planned for establishment in fall 2009.
NTEP will partner with the Sports Turf Managers Association through the SAFE (Safer Athletic Fields Environment) foundation in developing and funding the traffic tolerance trials. STMA members and turfgrass researchers with traffic tolerance experience will be involved in determining trial protocols and locations.
Meet and Greet Sno-Way at Snow & Ice Symposium
Sno-Way International will be holding their meet and greet SIMA (Snow & Ice Management Association) party on Thursday, June 19, during the 11th Annual Snow & Ice Symposium in Buffalo, N.Y.
The Sno-Way party will be held at the Pearl Street Brew and Grill, and refreshments will be served from 6 to 9 p.m. To RSVP, or for more information, visit www.SIMA.snoway.com.
Precision Announces Alliance With Agrium
Precision Laboratories, Inc. and Agrium Advanced Technologies announced a product alliance to manufacture and market 0-0-20 Turf Fertilizer with 10.6 percent Cascade Plus throughout Canada. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency granted registration of the product after validating safety, efficacy and product label claims. Agrium will produce, distribute and sell the product through Precision’s existing network of turf distributors.
Kinservik Joins Jacklin International Sales Team
Jim Kinservik has expanded his role at Jacklin Seed Co. by joining the international sales team. He will be responsible for various existing export accounts and will continue his previous duties within domestic markets. Kinservik has over 23 years’ experience at Jacklin.
Briggs & Stratton Celebrates its First 100 Years
Briggs & Stratton Corp. announced a yearlong celebration honoring its first 100 years in business. The company plans to celebrate by giving back to the community through numerous festivities in Milwaukee, Wis., home of its corporate headquarters, and at many of its locations worldwide.
Stephen F. Briggs and Harold M. Stratton founded the company in 1908. Today, the company employs more than 8,000 people with 10 manufacturing facilities globally. Briggs & Stratton products are designed, manufactured, marketed and serviced in more than 100 countries.
NTEA News
Dennis Jones, vice president of sales and marketing for Auto Truck Group (Bensenville, Ill.), was installed as the 44th president of the National Truck Equipment Association. Jones has been in the truck industry for over 30 years and has served on the NTEA board of trustees since 2003. Auto Truck Group has been a Distributor member of the NTEA since 1973.
Leggett & Platt Commercial Vehicle Products of Atlanta, Ga., won the Work Truck Show 2008 New Product Innovation Award for its mobile workspace shelving, storage areas, docking stations and vehicle mounts featuring eCoupled technology, created by Fulton Innovation. The show was held in conjunction with the 44th Annual NTEA Convention.
Show attendees voted for the most innovative product introduced by exhibitors participating in the New Product Spotlight program. Leggett competed against 78 other companies. The company’s eCoupled-equipped products will hit the market in 2009.
Thomas Enters Agreement With ST Engineering Subsidiary
Thomas Equipment, Inc. has entered into an agreement in principle for the production of Thomas skid steer loaders with Singapore Technologies Engineering’s Guizhou Jonyang Kinetics (GJK) subsidiary. Thomas also signed a letter of intent for GJK to distribute the machines in its markets.
Thomas will supervise all phases of production and quality control. Thomas’ marketing, sales, quality control and related staff in Centerville, N.B., Canada, will spearhead all Thomas activities and oversee production.
Irrigation Show Results; New Name
The official results of the 2007 International Irrigation Show are complete. Over 600 exhibitors and attendees responded to separate Irrigation Association surveys sent after the show. Overall, there was an increase in attendance and exhibitors as compared to the previous three years. With attendance at nearly 7,000, 2007 broke the record for total attendance since the show began in 1979. Over 250 certification exams were taken, nearly 900 class seats were filled and 380 companies exhibited on the show floor.
The IA has announced a new name for the annual trade show, “Irrigation Show 2008.” The name will replace “29th Annual International Irrigation Show.” To accompany the new name, the IA has also released a new logo that will be used for the 2008 show.
The show will be held in Anaheim, Calif., November 2-4, 2008. A full slate of education courses will be offered November 1-4.
News From Bayer
David Crank was named national accounts manager for the green professional products division of Bayer Environmental Science. Crank will be responsible for several national accounts in the golf, lawn care and formulator business segments. Previously, he was the lawn care and landscape market specialist for Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. He holds a master’s degree in agribusiness from Santa Clara University and a bachelor’s in animal science from West Virginia University.
A new, water-dispersible granule formulation containing triticonazole, Chipco Triton 70 WDG fungicide is now registered for disease control in golf and lawn turf. It provides broad-spectrum, systemic, residual disease control. Banol fungicide is now registered for use in California on golf courses and sod farms, as well as on ornamentals in greenhouses and nurseries. Available in a liquid formulation, Banol delivers protection for foliar and root Pythium species.
The biggest business-related stresses for golf course superintendents are labor, followed by turf quality and playability, according to the results of a stress-related survey taken by golf course superintendents attending the 2008 Golf Industry Show. The survey, sponsored by Bayer, was taken over a two-day period.
News From Jacobsen
During Jacobsen’s annual dealer and customer event held at the Golf Industry Show, the company announced the recipients of its 2007 Dealer Awards, given for extraordinary customer service efforts and overall performance. The winners included Mike Bertlesman, Will McClelland, Brian Powers, Brian McCoy, Mike Korvas and Jaime Ovalle, Pacesetter Award for outstanding performance in sales and customer satisfaction; Wisconsin Turf Equipment Co. and Malvese Equipment Co., Dealer of the Year; and S.V. Moffett Co., Inc., CustomerCare Dealer of the Year.
Pebble Beach Resorts in Pebble Beach, Calif., has signed a new national agreement with Jacobsen. Pebble Beach extended its relationship with Jacobsen as its official supplier of turf care maintenance equipment for the next five years.
Jacobsen has committed to participate in the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America’s Partner Recognition Program as a Gold sponsor.
Toro Partners with Nicholson Kovac
The Toro Co. announced Nicholson Kovac, Inc. as their new integrated marketing communications partner. Nicholson Kovac will provide research, strategic planning and public relations support for Toro’s U.S. golf course management, sports field and grounds and professional irrigation markets.
McCloskey Unveils New Facility
McCloskey International began construction of a new 100,000-square-foot facility in Dungannon in Northern Ireland. The facility will house the company’s growing engineering team, along with four manufacturing bays dedicated to specific product lines.
Based in Peterborough, Ont., Canada, the company’s North American facilities will continue as its worldwide center for trommel engineering, manufacturing and service support. The new facility in Dungannon is projected to commence operations by fall 2009.
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