Industry Update

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Mahwah Approves Cipriano Rain Garden Design

The town of Mahwah, N.J., approved the installation of a rain garden by Cipriano Landscape Design. Cipriano has created rain gardens that provide a natural interaction between soil, vegetation and water in order to reduce pollutants such as gas, oil, waste, road salt, litter, pesticides and fertilizer in stormwater runoff. The company plans to submit rain garden designs to several other towns as part of ongoing projects.

YardApes Names Ape of the Year

Shayne Newman, president of YardApes, Inc., New Milford, Conn., announced that Roberto Angulo is the recipient of the 2008 Ape of the Year Award. The award is given annually to a YardApes employee who consistently demonstrates an initiative to go above and beyond the call of duty. Angulo is a PLANET Certified Landscape Technician. YardApes is a full-service residential and commercial landscape design, construction and maintenance company.

Barry Block Wins Design Award

Barry Block Landscape Design & Contracting, East Moriches, N.Y., received the 2008/2009 Gold Environmental Enhancement award from the Long Island Nursery & Landscape Association. The company won the award for work in landscaping design in the category for a single-family residence, less than .5 acre.

2009 Kioti Dealer Meeting Boasts Record Attendance

Kioti Tractor hosted its annual dealer meeting in Raleigh, N.C. The meeting’s focus on sales training helped lead to record attendance. The agenda for the three-day event included a welcome reception, new product introductions, new sales incentive programs and presentations on Developing a High-Performance Dealership by Bob Clements and Principles of Selling by Jim Falk. Dealers also went on a tour of Kioti’s corporate headquarters in Wendell, N.C., and attended the annual semiformal awards dinner.

MB Companies and Hustler Turf will work together to promote MB’s MCT-H broom.

MB Enters Strategic Relationship with Hustler Turf

Hustler Turf Equipment has recognized MB Companies as a sole provider of mechanical brooms for its new 3500 and 3700 mowers. MB will work with Hustler Turf and its distributor group to promote the MCT-H broom attachment.

Briant Speaks at Foley Meeting

Bob Briant, CEO of the Utility Transportation Contractors Association, spoke at Caterpillar dealer Foley, Inc.’s 2009 annual meeting, held in Somerset, N.J. The UTCA is made up of about 1,100 member firms active in the construction industry market.

Otterbine Introduces New Pattern, Guarantee, Catalog

Otterbine Barebo, Inc. redeveloped its Equinox pattern for its 1 to 5 hp aerating fountain line. The pattern was originally released in the 7.5 and 10 hp line.

Otterbine now offers a Pattern Guarantee on its 1 to 5 hp line. Customers who are not satisfied with their pattern may receive a new one within 30 days of installation.

The company has also released a newly designed catalog, which emphasizes its commitment and dedication to delivering effective, reliable and natural solutions to water quality management.

Danuser Names Media Agency

Danuser Machine Co., Inc. named True Media as its media agency of record. In addition to media strategy and placement, True Media will provide search engine optimization to strengthen the manufacturer’s online presence.

Magna-Matic Offers Online Store

Magna-Matic Corp. has a new, redesigned online store at www.magna-matic-direct.com. It contains all Magna-Matic products and parts, and visitors can download parts diagrams, review products, receive e-mail notifications when items are in stock, view order history and more.

Cub Cadet Launches New Web Site

Cub Cadet has launched a new, enhanced Web site at www.CubCadet.com. Customers can now access all Cub Cadet Home Owner, Cub Cadet Utility Vehicle, Cub Cadet Commercial and Cub Cadet Yanmar products through one site. It also allows visitors to arrange purchase of products from nearby dealers and features interactive product views, videos, product comparisons, recently viewed products, easy-to-use tabs, product suggestions and online product manuals.

LebanonTurf Names Account Managers

LebanonTurf named Chris Osborne as national account manager for professional products. He will establish and grow corporate accounts in the landscape, golf and sports turf markets. Osborne has worked for Winner Global and Fairmont Minerals.

The company named Ken Klopp as national account manager for lawn care. He will be responsible for sales with national lawn care and landscape companies. He has worked for Growmark FS and TIMAC USA.

Gehl’s 150th-anniversary skid loader.

Gehl Unveils Anniversary Skid Loader

Gehl Co. created a chrome-covered 7810E skid loader to commemorate its 150th anniversary. The original concept for the machine was created by Form-I Design, Waverly, Iowa. The design features a reflective gold and black finish and laser-cut Gehl logos in the ROPS side screens. Decals on the lift arm display historical Gehl milestones. Milsco, Milwaukee, Wis., contributed a customized leather seat for the project, and XXX Chrome Plating, Brookfield, Wis., handled the chrome plating.

News from Ewing

Professional Landcare Network certified professionals now qualify to receive continuing education credits for approved Ewing Irrigation Products education workshops. Approved workshops include Irrigation Troubleshooting; Advanced Installation, Troubleshooting & Design; Landscape Irrigation Auditor Workshop; and Water Management Strategies Workshop.

Ewing reorganized its executive board as part of a plan to prepare the company for continued growth and efficiency. Warren S. Gorowitz was appointed to the position of vice president of sustainability and conservation. Several company officials were promoted, including Richard A. York, chief operating officer; Jeffrey C. Anthony, chief financial officer; Rilus A. Graham III, senior vice president of credit administration; and Cliff Woodbury, senior vice president of marketing and communications. The board also includes Terry Williams, Raul Gonzalez and Jim Borneman.

Ariens Acquires Treker UTV Line

Ariens Co. has acquired the Treker line of utility vehicles, attachments and accessories from Land Pride, a division of Great Plains Mfg., Inc. Ariens will continue to sell the utility vehicles through Land Pride retailers and select power equipment retailers under the Gravely brand name. UTVs will also be sold through Gravely Turf retailers that serve the sports field management segment.

Rocktober Thursday Returns to GIE+EXPO

Rocktober Thursday will return to GIE+EXPO 2009 on October 29 at Fourth Street Live! in Louisville, Ky. The Thursday night concerts are sponsored by Briggs & Stratton Corp., and this year will feature Eddie Money and The Briggs Bluesbusters. On Friday night, Ariens Co. and Stens will present The Grass Roots, followed by the Fourth Street Live! Street Party featuring The Blues Brothers.

Forterra Announces Agreement with Turf Logic

Forterra Environmental Corp. announced a sales and distribution agreement with Turf Logic, Inc. Turf Logic will purchase granulated worm castings from Forterra for use in its pesticide-free lawn care solutions sold through its franchise operations in Canada.

Terry Ethier

J. Thomas Appoints General Manager

J. Thomas hired Terry Ethier as general manager. Previously, he was vice president of sales and marketing at a company supplying products for industrial equipment applications. J. Thomas is an outdoor power equipment, accessories and parts supplier located in Novi, Mich.

Curtis Announces New Sno-Pro Distributors

Curtis Industries, LLC named Meyer Distributing, Jasper, Ind., and Action Group of Companies, Ontario, as exclusive distributors of the Sno-Pro line of truck snow plow and spreader products. Meyer will work with dealers in the United States, and Action Group will cover all of Canada.

ENCAP Celebrates 10th Anniversary

ENCAP, LLC marked its 10th anniversary in 2009. The company develops, manufactures and markets advanced soil technologies that fight erosion, establish seeds and hold fertilizers in place.

Sarlo Hosts Trade Conference

Sarlo Power Mowers, Inc. hosted visiting delegations from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic as a kickoff for the Hispanic-American Business Alliance. Activities included a trade show and conference focused on exporting a wide spectrum of goods, including outdoor power/industrial equipment.