Industry Update

Source: www.TurfMagazine.com

Aspen Equipment’s new state-of-the-art facility in Omaha, Neb.

CI Holds Grand Opening

Tiger-Sul Products, Calgary, Alb., and Chemical Initiatives Ltd., Johannesburg, South Africa, announced the grand opening of the first international Tiger-Sul Products sulfur pastillation facility at CI’s Umbogintwini sulfuric acid plant in Durban, South Africa. Tiger-Sul, a wholly owned subsidiary of H.J. Baker & Bro., Inc., has licensed CI with the technology to produce its sulfur-based fertilizers and products. The new facility will supply the African continent and has been designed to meet the growing demand for sulfur and micronutrient fertilizers.  

Aspen Opens New Building in Omaha

Aspen Equipment has moved to a newly built, 20,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art truck equipment installation and service facility in Omaha, Neb. The facility features a dozen 50 to 60-foot-long and 20-foot-wide bays; each bay is served by two 7.5-ton overhead hoists.

The expansion was due to the recent acquisition of the Manitowoc and Grove Crane lines in Nebraska and Iowa, in addition to the company’s growing National Crane and Auto crane lines. The facility  was designed for future expansion with a zip-off back wall that will allow for 6,000 additional square feet as needed.

Mid-Am Innovation Showcase Highlights Products & Ideas

The Innovation Showcase at the Mid-America Horticultural Trade Show, scheduled for January 14-16 in Chicago, Ill., will feature a selection of the newest items for the green industry. The showcase, located just outside the trade show floor, will highlight new plants, labor-saving equipment and helpful ideas for improving business practices. The Mid-Am Showcase Committee will award three first-place blue ribbons to the item they deem most innovative in three categories: plant material, hard goods and equipment. For a complete list of items that will be displayed, visit www.midam.org.

TenCate Geotextiles Provide Reinforcement for Minneapolis Bridge

TenCate Geosynthetics North America used Mirafi HP-Series woven polypropylene geotextiles to reinforce the St. Anthony Falls Bridge, which was constructed following the collapse of the I-35W Mississippi River Bridge in Minneapolis, Minn., in August 2007. In order to allow simultaneous construction of a retaining wall and the bridge, temporary fabric-wrapped walls were installed in four locations adjacent to the bridge abutment, using Mirafi.

Deere Acquires Full Ownership of ReGen

Deere & Co. has acquired full ownership of ReGen Technologies, Inc., a remanufacturing company in Springfield, Mo. Deere had already owned 50 percent of the business. Operations will be more fully integrated with those in Edmonton, Alb., and the overall name of the business will be John Deere Reman.

Wiedenmann Presents Distributor Awards

Wiedenmann GmbH presented awards to the best distributors in its worldwide sales network, which spans 48 countries. The North American distributor, Wiedenmann North America, LLC, received three awards. On hand to receive them was General Manager Will Wolverton. The inauguration of the new company headquarters in Rammingen, Germany, provided the setting for the awards ceremony.

From left, Juergen Wiedenmann, Ralph Wiedenmann, Margit Liable and Will Wolverton.

Husqvarna Recognizes Dealers for Community Involvement

Husqvarna announced the winners of its 2008 Husqvarna Heroes program, designed to highlight dealers for being hands-on in their communities. Five dealers were selected based on community participation and good works, and each will receive a $1,000 check to donate to their favorite charity. The Husqvarna Heroes are Ron DeKok, Dutchman’s, Foley, Ala.; Jake Ricker, Baker’s Hardware/Power & Turf, Millsboro, Del.; Kenneth and Juanita Ray, Ray’s Saw, Centre, Ala.; Paul G. White III, Warren Industrial & Lawn Supply, Dunn, N.C.; and Keith Penatzer, Ray’s Lawnmower Sales & Service, Summerhill, Pa.

Crews laying sod.

“Extreme Makeover” Features Landscape by Bruce Co.

The Bruce Co. teamed up with Veridian Homes to donate the landscape design, materials and installation for a home featured on the program “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” Sixty-four Bruce Co. employees were involved in the project. Labor and materials were also donated by Unilock; Hoffie Nursery, Inc.; Second Season Recycling; Long Sod Farms, Inc.; Tall Grass Restoration; Corning Construction; Rain Water Green; John Deere Landscapes; Vista; Halquist Stone Co.; and Orchids Garden Center & Nursery.

News from Terex & Genie

Terex Aerial Work Platforms has introduced online service training that will provide technicians with an interactive way to learn about troubleshooting and repairing Genie products. The course begins with a 12-lesson basic electrical theory program, with quizzes at the end of each lesson. To participate, technicians need a computer with Internet access and a registered Genie account. Terex AWP plans to introduce a course on hydraulic theory, followed by specific product courses.

Genie Industries has appointed David Brotherton to the position of product manager for the Genie articulating boom product line. He will develop strategic globalization plans, identify and develop new products and manage the line globally.

Previously, he was an associate brand manager at Kimberly-Clark. He earned a bachelor’s degree in decision sciences and an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University.

Toro Spray Nozzles Recognized at Irrigation Show

Toro Precision Series spray nozzles were named the 2008 New Product of the Year for Turf/Landscape at the 2008 Irrigation Show. The nozzles use patented Toro H2O Chip Technology. The Irrigation Association’s new product contest is held annually at the show. The nozzles were chosen from 31 total products, 13 of which were turf/landscape entries. The award is given to companies with new irrigation technology, and products are judged on merits of design quality, water-conserving attributes, cost and time savings and ease of use.

Toro received a New Product of the Year award for its Precision spray nozzles.

Shindaiwa Introduces New Catalog, Holds Distributor Meeting

Shindaiwa has introduced a new North America Full-Line Product Catalog for 2009, its first printed with paper from well-managed forests and recycled wood or fiber. The catalog has been awarded official certification by the Forest Stewardship Council.

Shindaiwa held its 2008 North America Distributor Meeting in Portland, Ore. Top executives from Shindaiwa Corp., Hiroshima, Japan, attended the event, as well as 35 distributor principals representing 18 distributorships. RCH Distributors, Inc., Memphis, Tenn., and Tidewater Power Equipment, Inc., Virginia Beach, Va., both celebrated their 20th anniversaries as Shindaiwa distributors in 2008. They were recognized at the awards banquet and presented with grandfather clocks.

Pace American Acquires Cargo Express

Pace American, Inc. has acquired J&L Cargo Express, Bristol, Ind. In addition to retaining its own independent brand identity, Cargo Express’ existing dealer network and staff will remain unchanged. Cargo Express President and General Manager Lyle Miller will continue to manage the brand.

Nikko Tanaka Absorbed Into Hitachi Koki

As of January 1, 2009, the business functions of Nikko Tanaka Engineering USA, Ltd. were absorbed into Hitachi Koki USA, Ltd.. This will improve business efficiencies and allow the product lines to collaborate and benefit from technological innovations as well as share in research and development endeavors. Nikko Tanaka USA has been a subsidiary of Hitachi Koki USA since May 2007 and both companies had been operating independently since then. Tanaka’s customer service, technical service, order placement, order processing and accounting functions will be moved from Auburn, Wash., to Hitachi Koki USA’s headquarters outside of Atlanta, Ga. All Tanaka sales and marketing staff will remain in place.

Clark Joins Wood Bay

Wood Bay Turf Technologies announced that Dave Clark has joined its regional sales staff. Clark comes to Wood Bay from Blackhawk Golf Club, Edmonton, Alb., and has 13 seasons’ experience in golf course maintenance as well as a strong business background.

HPE Produces 20 Millionth Power Product

Honda Power Equipment Mfg., Inc., a division of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., manufactured its 20 millionth product—a lawnmower—at its Swepsonville, N.C., facility. The mower joins an array of engines, tillers and generators that have been produced at the facility since it opened in 1984.

AST Receives Patent, Names Director of Engineering

Advanced Sensor Technology, Inc. has received a utility patent from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for its wireless soil monitoring sensor. AST’s technology is an inground system that operates via a wireless mesh network. It provides real-time measurement of soil moisture, temperature and salinity.

AST has named Katayoun Sohrabi as director of engineering. An electrical engineer, Sohrabi has nearly 10 years of experience, having worked most recently for NextWave. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Missouri, and a doctorate in electrical engineering from the University of California.

Phoenix Launches New Web Site

Phoenix Environmental Care has launched its new Web site at www.phoenixenvcare.com. The site offers simple navigation and several new customer-friendly features, including an expanded product information area, a section about NexGen enhanced pesticide technology and a distributor listing. It also features a section dedicated to company news and industry events, as well as a literature section that allows customers to order information about the company and its products.

Aquascape Announces Apprentice Program

Aquascape, Inc. has created the Aquascape Apprentice Program to help contractors who are just starting out in the water features industry. Apprentices will have access to ongoing education and will have a Certified Aquascape Contractor mentor. They will also receive a welcome kit and gain access to a message board for networking and educational purposes.

Smith Named COO of Arysta European Business

Kevin Smith, a 26-year veteran in international business, has joined Arysta LifeScience Corp. as chief operating officer of the company’s European business unit. Smith comes to Arysta after serving as corporate vice president and group managing director for Europe for Sun Chemical. He replaces Andy Jones, who will now serve as global head of marketing. Smith has a master’s degree in business administration from London Business School and a bachelor’s degree in French from Leeds University.

Water Industry Experts Convene at Danfoss Symposium

Danfoss Drives hosted an EnVisioneering symposium entitled “At Water’s Edge: The 21st Century Agenda in Water Strategy and Technology.” Held at the InterContinental Hotel in Chicago, Ill., the symposium brought together about 20 water industry experts and featured four speakers: Polly Trottenberg, executive director, Building America’s Future; Betsy Otto, vice president of strategic partnerships, American Rivers; Mark Shannon, director, National Science Foundation’s Center of Advanced Materials for the Purification of Water with Systems, and professor, University of Illinois; and Robert Bastian, senior environmental scientist, Office of Wastewater Management, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

PacLease Continues Canadian Growth

PACCAR Leasing Co. continued its Canadian franchise network expansion with the addition of a new full-service lease location in Moncton, N.B. The new location is operated by Bayview PacLease.

Agrium Opens New Production Facility

Agrium Advanced Technologies has opened a new fertilizer production facility in Courtright, Ont. The plant opening coincides with the launch of Agrium’s XCU Slow-Release Fertilizer, which is now available in the United States and Canada. The new operation, which features an improved laboratory, warehousing and distribution capabilities, has an annual production capacity of 60,000 tons of slow and controlled-release fertilizers.