Industry Update

Source: www.TurfMagazine.com

Sharon Hengel, left, and Michelle Williams.

Aspen Receives Award for Wellness Program

Aspen Equipment Co. received a Gold Award for its wellness program from Minnesota’s Hennepin County. Sharon Hengel and Michelle Williams attended the Wellness by Design Award Ceremony to accept the award. The purpose of Aspen’s wellness program is to create a culture that encourages and supports employees’ efforts in making healthy physical and mental lifestyle choices by raising awareness through education and company policies and practices.

Cotton Awarded Fourth U.S. Patent

Don Cotton was granted patent protection on an invention that improves the method used to sharpen reel-type mowers. Cotton, who also has three other patents, is president and owner of Turf Pride LLC, Andalusia, Ala.

From left, Vice President Wayne Buchberger and CEO Rodney Miller, McCormick; Ryan Delaney; and President J.L. Hans Bouwers, National Sales Manager Greg Bouwers and Product Manager Sergio Correia, Landini.

Spirit Implements Enters Supply Agreement

Spirit Implements, LLC, Waupaca, Wis., entered an exclusive supply agreement with McCormick International USA and Landini, McCormick Canada. Spirit will supply front-end loaders and other tractor attachments for the U.S. and Canadian market. Ryan R. Delaney founded the company in 1999 and is currently its president and sole owner.

Aquascape Launches Makeover Movement

Aquascape, Inc. installed more than 25 sustainable landscape projects during its first-ever Extreme Green Community Makeover at the Lakes of Bliss Woods neighborhood in Sugar Grove, Ill. The event was the prototype and official launch of Aquascape’s “Green Community Makeover Movement.” Beginning in January 2010, the company will offer the “Business Opportunities with Water” seminar series to help contractors learn the nuts and bolts of incorporating the makeover movement into their business.

JDI to Exhibit at GIE

In October 2009, JohnDow Industries, Barberton, Ohio, will exhibit at GIE+EXPO for the first time. In addition to its exhibit booth, JDI will have items in the New Products Arena. The company intends to investigate and expand into new markets.

Companies Donate Services to Help Cemetery

Greenside Lawn & Landscaping and Gateway Lawn Service, both based in Edwardsville, Ill., donated their services to Valley View Cemetery, also in Edwardsville. Darin Lee, owner of Greenside, and John Mikes, owner of Gateway, responded to Mayor Gary Niebur’s appeal for help with the neglected cemetery.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm, left, and Bob Anderson, Permaloc vice president and general manager.

Permaloc Helps Green a Governor’s Residence

As part of her campaign for green technology, Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm has taken the initiative to the official governor’s residence, where a wind turbine, solar panels, water-smart irrigation system and green roof have been installed. Permaloc Corp.’s GeoEdge aluminum green roof restraint surrounds pre-vegetated modules provided by LiveRoof, Spring Lake, Mich. Permaloc donated the GeoEdge material to the state as part of its ongoing Sustainable Design Initiative.

Cane Creek Sod Redesigns Web Site

Cane Creek Sod, Poplar Bluff, Mo., redesigned its Web site at www.canecreeksod.com to streamline the flow of information and help those interested in turfgrass to make educated decisions. Cane Creek also unveiled a new corporate logo to reflect its mission to provide customers with “Quality You Can Trust.”

Paradise Lawns Launches New Web Site

Paradise Lawns has launched its new Web site at www.paradise-lawn.com, where customers can find specials, tips and photos of work the company has done. David Lyman owns Paradise, which serves customers in Omaha, Elkhorn, Bennington, Blair, Papillion and La Vista, Neb.

Dr. John Thomson, left, and Nick Federoff.

Thomson Receives SEE Award

Dr. John A. A. Thomson, originator of SUPERthrive, received the Lifetime Environmental Awareness Award from Sustainable Environmental Education, a nonprofit organization. Radio show host Nick Federoff presented the award at Thomson’s Vitamin Institute facilities in North Hollywood, Calif.

Cook Acquires PECO

Peter Allen Cook has acquired PECO, Inc., Asheville, N.C., from its founder, Peter Hall. Cook has a degree in finance from Central Michigan University and has held a number of professional management positions. PECO was founded in 1972 and manufactures outdoor power equipment.

Reinders Offers Rainwater Harvesting Event

Reinders, Inc. held a Rainwater Harvesting Event at Boerner Botanical Gardens, Milwaukee, Wis. The hands-on training seminar installed a 25,000-gallon rainwater harvesting system for the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District.

Toro and AST Resolve Wireless Soil Monitoring Dispute

The Toro Co. has agreed to settle all outstanding litigation with Advanced Sensor Technology, Inc. The parties’ patent infringement, trade secret, false advertising and other claims and counter-claims were resolved without any admission of liability or wrongdoing, nor any licensing agreement, by either party.

Both companies will continue to compete in the field of soil sensing with their respective technologies, Toro’s Turf Guard and AST’s UgMO, and they have agreed not to disparage one another’s product.

While Toro believes that Turf Guard never infringed a patent that AST licensed, the company nevertheless agreed to modify the Turf Guard source code to address AST’s concerns and resolve the dispute. The modification does not impact Turf Guard’s performance or functionality.

News from Maruyama

Maruyama U.S., Inc. hosted its first North American distributor council meeting in St. Louis, Mo. Council members include Steve Purdy, Jack Ball, Rick Roberts, Robert Smith and Donald Marquis.

Maruyama announced business partnerships with two outdoor power equipment distributors. Smiths South-Central Sales Co., Springhill, La., will distribute the full line of Maruyama commercial products in Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma. Roberts Supply, Inc., Winter Park, Fla., will cover Florida, Georgia and Alabama.

King Innovation Launches New Web Site

King Innovation launched a new Web site at www.kinginnovation.com geared toward the “people” side of business. The user-friendly site features feedback-oriented information, a well-organized home page, product pages, specification sheets, free sample requests, videos, blogging capabilities and more.

Otterbine Launches New Web Site

Otterbine Barebo, Inc. launched its newly designed Web site at www.otterbine.com. Features of the new site include market-specific sections, photo galleries and improved resources, with direct access to owner’s manuals, specification forms and feature installations in addition to expanded product listings and reference documentation. The site also offers enhanced directory listings and an electronic sales lead program.

Agrium Offers Fertilizer Guide

Agrium Advanced Technologies offers information about choosing fertilizer products and best practices in its free “Fertilizer 101 Agronomy Guide.” Landscape and lawn care professionals can request printed copies and download the guide in English and Spanish at www.agriumat.com/AgronomyGuide.

Pressler Joins AST

Paul Pressler has joined the board of Advanced Sensor Technology, Inc. as vice chairman. Pressler is a director for Avon Products, Inc., OpenTable, Inc. and Overture Acquisitions Corp., and is an adviser to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice. He is working with the UgMO team to help forge strategic partnerships, expand growth opportunities and promote UgMO’s water advocacy role.

ValleyCrest Adds Sprint GPS Solutions

Sprint and ValleyCrest Landscape Companies announced an agreement for Sprint to add GPS services to ValleyCrest’s communications tool kit at select branch locations. The location-based services will help ValleyCrest better track employee job location and company assets for these field branches. The tool will also help in handling payroll and route job assignments.

Wolf Joins Stihl

Stihl, Inc. announced the appointment of Matthias Wolf to the position of manager of manufacturing engineering. He comes to Stihl with more than 10 years of management experience, most recently as vice president with the American subsidiary of Hengst Automotive. Wolf received a master’s degree in mechanical and electronic engineering from the Technical University of Berlin (Germany) and a certification in accounting and finance from Midlands Technical College.

News from Doosan

Doosan Infracore America’s 48-Hour Parts Guarantee for its wheel loader and excavator customers is celebrating its two-year anniversary. The program guarantees that Doosan machine owners will receive “machine debilitating” replacement parts within two business days, or Doosan will pay for a replacement machine rental. To learn more, visit www.doosan48hour.com.

The company launched Doosan Elite Plus, which provides customers with comprehensive product support solutions. It offers programs including Doosan Elite Assurance, an extended warranty program, preventive maintenance programs, Doosan GPS, Doosan’s Component Oil Analysis Program, remanufacturing and all-makes parts and attachments.

Mrotek Joins Terex AWP

Mike Mrotek was appointed to the position of senior product manager for Terex Aerial Work Platforms’ Genie telehandler product line. Previously, he was an industry marketing manager for Rexnord. Mrotek earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Wisconsin and a master’s in business administration from DePaul University.

Martin Levy

Jacobsen Hires Levy, Holds Dealer Training

Martin L. Levy has joined Jacobsen as vice president of sales and marketing, with responsibility for the Americas and Asia Pacific. Levy has worked for Ingersoll-Rand Co. and Doosan. He holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and a master’s in business administration from the University of Miami, Coral Gables. Levy is replacing Ralph Nicotera, vice president of sales, who has spent 35 years with the company and will retire in early 2010.

Jacobsen held a two-day sales training program at Madden’s on Gull Lake resort near Brainerd, Minn. The training was facilitated by Erik Sides, Jacobsen University’s training manager, assisted by Gene Klinkman, product support manager, and Les King, northwest territory sales manager.

RSC Launches Used Equipment Web Site

RSC Equipment Rental launched an updated used equipment sales Web site, accessible at www.RSCrental.com/usedequipment. Visitors can quickly search for equipment by type, make, model, year and current location, and information sheets can be prepared for specific units. A separate “Great Deals” section features limited-time opportunities on selected pieces of equipment.

Gehl and Mustang Offer FluidTRAC

Gehl Co. and Mustang have introduced the FluidTRAC program, a fluid analysis program for North American customers. The program routinely tests engine oils, coolants, hydraulic oils, gear oils and fuel to help maximize machinery performance.

Bobcat Facility Awarded Certifications

Bobcat Co.’s manufacturing facility in Bismarck, N.D., has received ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certification by the British Standards Institution in recognition of its commitment to environmentally friendly operation and a safe, healthy work setting. The facility’s environmental management effort encompassed implementing a systematic approach to setting environmental objectives and targets and demonstrating continuous improvements in environmental performance. Bobcat also created an occupational health and safety management system that controls risks and improves performance, and demonstrated the system is working.

Bud Smart

Smart Releases Sustainable Development Podcast

Miles M. “Bud” Smart, president of Audubon Environmental, released a podcast discussing sustainable development design. The podcast is available for download at www.mmimarketing.com/podcast.

Ledex Receives U.S. Patent

Ledex Industries announced that it has received a U.S. patent on its new Steel Trip Edge system with Trip-Lock. Ledex manufactures Avalanche snowplows.

Telogis Wins Award

Telogis announced that Network Products Guide named its WorkForce software application a winner of the 2009 Best Products and Services Award. WorkForce is a handset-based application that connects mobile workers to their office.

Talbert Recognizes Top Dealers

Talbert Mfg., Inc. recognized its top dealers for superior achievements in sales and service throughout the past year. The number one dealer was Hale Trailer Brake & Wheel, Voorhees, N.J., which operates 14 locations along the East Coast. Other top dealers included Big Iron Equipment, Lively, Ont.; Branded Trailer Sales, Woodworth, La.; Freightliner, Grand Rapids, Mich.; J&B Pavelka Truck & Trailer, Corpus Christi, Texas; Leslie Equipment, Cowen, W.Va.; Lucky’s Trailer Sales, South Royalton, Vt.; Trailer America, Columbiana, Ohio; and Western Truck & Trailer Sales, Las Vegas, Nev.

NaturaLawn President Phil Catron, left, and Nick Vujicic.

NaturaLawn Holds Owners Meeting

NaturaLawn of America held its owners meeting in Scottsdale, Ariz. Motivational speaker Nick Vujicic of Attitude is Altitude gave the keynote address. NaturaLawn is headquartered in Frederick, Md.

Atlas Copco and Chicago Pneumatic Offer Trade-In Program

Atlas Copco Construction Equipment and Chicago Pneumatic are offering a special trade-in program for hand-held tools, regardless of age, working condition or brand. Until December 31, 2009, customers can trade in their old tools for new ones and receive 10 percent off the price of the new unit. Certain terms and conditions apply.