Greenworks Commercial, a provider of battery-operated outdoor power equipment, recently unveiled the Optimus Mobile Charging Trailer, a battery-charging trailer that allows landscapers to transport and charge all their tools and equipment onsite, overnight or while in transit.  

The Optimus Mobile Charging Trailer houses a 26KWH battery, capable of providing 32KW of constant charging energy, optimizing efficiency for landscapers and eliminating any runtime concerns. Its built-in temperature-controlled

Greenworks Commercial, a provider of battery-operated outdoor power equipment, recently unveiled the Optimus Mobile Charging Trailer, a battery-charging trailer that allows landscapers to transport and charge all their tools and equipment onsite, overnight or while in transit.  

The Optimus Mobile Charging Trailer houses a 26KWH battery, capable of providing 32KW of constant charging energy, optimizing efficiency for landscapers and eliminating any runtime concerns. Its built-in temperature-controlled charging ports charge up to 18 82V handheld batteries, for use in trimmers, walk-behind mowers, string trimmers and edgers, blowers, chainsaws and hedge trimmers in as little as 30 minutes, reducing the number of handheld batteries needed to complete a workday by 60%.

Optimus MCs’ three zero-turn mower chargers output 6000W each and are capable of charging a riding mower in as little as 75 minutes while allowing landscapers to conveniently charge their mowers inside or outside of the trailer.

With real-time 4G/GPS connectivity, management will have full visibility of their team while in the field, allowing them to stay updated with real-time metrics on battery status, trailer location and system functions via the trailer’s built-in LCD Screen Dashboard and Greenworks Fleet Connect (TM) app. This 4G/GPS connection also provides theft protection.

“For landscape managers looking to increase productivity while remaining green, the Optimus Mobile Charging Trailer is the perfect solution,” said Nick Suchoza, senior director of design at Greenworks. “Eliminate the hassle of loading and unloading fuel or batteries by plugging the tools and batteries into the trailer, plugging in the trailer and unplugging from the stress of excess work.”

Equipped with 3000W of solar power, an automated shutdown system and a security system with an HD camera, the design extends beyond these features. The 20’ Optimus Mobile Charging Trailer can transport and charge 20+ battery-powered tools, 36 handheld batteries and 3 full-size zero-turn mowers.

The Optimus Mobile Charging Trailer is complete with EV-style, rapid DC charging capabilities which can fully charge the 26KW battery in as little as 30 minutes at any EV charging station and has four individual 20AMP circuits for powering existing products on board.

The trailer can output 50A 240V to power a welder or recharge an electric vehicle. According to Greenworks, the Optimus Mobile Charging Trailer is designed to allow for an easier transition from gas to battery.

This 20-foot-long is scheduled to launch in Spring 2023.

Additionally, Greenworks also debuted several other new products including the OptimusZ Range, a line of commercial zero-turn ride-on mowers. The OptimusZ Range consists of:

A new backpack blower is also being released. With CYCLONE FORCE axial fan technology, powered by high-performance brushless motor technology, and an 750 CFM and 220 MPH output from start to finish, landscapers have the capacity to blow away 10% more leaves than a gas counterpart. Weighing only 14.3 pounds, with a noise level of 72DB at 50 feet, this blower is equipped with a heavy-duty padded harness and waterproof dual-port battery compartment. 

Greenworks Commercial is also announcing a new 82V 16-inch front-mount string trimmer.

Built to perform, the new model 82ST12 trimmer allows operators 45 minutes of runtime on a single charge with the benefit of being 13% lighter. The trimmer provides a 16-inch cutting swath and a comfort overmolded ergonomic front handle and rear throttle as well as lightweight rear housing, improving balance and reducing operator fatigue.

The new 82-volt string trimmer utilizes a front mounted, direct drive commercial-grade brushless motor that produces 1.2 kW of maximum power to deliver continuous power through the toughest terrain without bogging down. With an included 8-amp dual port charger that recharges a 4Ah battery in 30 minutes.

Additionally, the company is releasing a new 24-inch commercial chainsaw, expanding its current lineup of 16-, 18- and 20-inch saw options.

With 4.3kW* Brushless motor, the 24-inch chainsaw exceeds any 70cc gas powered version on the is powered by the new 82V X6 6Ah lithium-ion battery pack with EnergX battery technology. With only 5.95 pounds of weight, the battery pack provides 4.5kW of continuous power output and up to 60 amps of continuous discharge current. The unit is also available with the newly developed 1.5kW X-Series charger with dual or six-port charging bank option that can charge the 82V X6 6amp battery pack with energX ™ lithium-ion battery technology within 20 minutes.

For more information on any of these products, visit the company’s website.

Bobcat Company is accelerating its innovations in the landscaping and grounds maintenance industries with the announcement of its new autonomous mowing system. The company is also announcing the advancement of its autonomous technology and operations through a strategic investment in Greenzie, an autonomous software company for commercial lawn mowers and outdoor power equipment.

“Innovation is part of the Bobcat DNA. We invented the compact equipment industry more than 60 years ago, and we continue to reimagine the future of the industry today,” said Joel Honeyman, vice president of global innovation for Bobcat Company. “Through this investment with Greenzie, we can accelerate our development of operator-assisted and automated solutions to help our customers be more productive on the jobsite or their backyard.”

The collaboration supports Bobcat’s introduction of its new autonomous, zero-turn mower, which offers efficiency and productivity by completing repetitive mowing tasks without the need for an onboard operator. 

Designed to operate with software developed by Greenzie, the Bobcat autonomous mower has a ride-and-repeat feature, where operators can plot a course and mark areas for the mower to avoid during autonomous operations. Able to detect objects, known or unknown, the zero-turn mower travels its prescribed path while the operator can take on other tasks and maximize their jobsite efficiency. The machine utilizes mapping to execute an exact route that can be repeated; all of which can be managed or edited on a simple smartphone app. 

Through this investment, Bobcat and Greenzie will join forces to accelerate Bobcat’s development of the autonomous capabilities and solutions across its product line-up.

"We are thrilled to close our largest investment round to date with a strategic investment by an industry leader like Bobcat," said Charles Brian Quinn (CBQ), co-founder and CEO of Greenzie. "Our customers are desperate for solutions that help them overcome their biggest challenge: labor shortages. Our software helps crews be more productive, and will run on reliable, rugged Bobcat equipment they trust."

The autonomous mower will make its North American debut at Equip Exposition in Louisville, Kentucky. Demos will be held in Bobcat’s outdoor booth, 7506D.

The mower will have a limited launch in late 2023 with more details forthcoming.

Editor’s note: A prototype of one of DEWALT’s new Ascent mowers caught fire during the Equip Exposition last week in Louisville, Kentucky. Here is the company’s statement: “We are grateful that no one was injured. We are working quickly to determine the cause of the issue with this single pre-production prototype unit and will provide further information when available.”

DEWALT, a Stanley Black & Decker brand and a provider and innovator in outdoor power equipment, unveiled the Ascent zero-turn mower series, the first in a lineup of electric outdoor power equipment for professional landscapers. The Ascent Series will offer a total electric solution with smart technology designed to meet the needs of landscapers. It will be available through DEWALT’s professional dealer network beginning in fall 2023.

“Through expert engineering, cutting-edge technology and rigorous testing, we’re proud to deliver a total electrification experience that is customizable to meet the specific needs of our landscape customers,” said Christine Potter, president of Outdoor for Stanley Black & Decker, whose brand portfolio includes DEWALT. “Developed in tandem with professional landscapers to meet tough demands, the Ascent Series will help landscapers ease the transition from gas to electric fleets with a customized battery solution.”

The Ascent mowers will feature swappable, 3.2 kwh lithium-ion batteries built for all-day runtime while giving landscapers the choice on how to invest in batteries. In connection with the DEWALT Ascent Series, DEWALT plans to offer a PowerEquip battery subscription program that will provide flexible terms to help landscapers reduce upfront battery investments versus purchasing batteries. Additionally, the PowerEquip subscription program would aim to provide peace-of-mind that easy battery exchanges and support are available.

“DEWALT was born on the jobsite – the brand has a proven performance in innovation and battery technology,” said Steve Adcock, vice president of Outdoor business development for Stanley Black & Decker. “We’re using that legacy to set a new standard for electrification in landscaping. The Ascent Series is backed by DEWALT innovation, testing and durability.”

The Ascent mowers can hold up to five batteries to allow landscapers to scale-up runtime based on specific needs. The flexibility and support that the PowerEquip subscription program offers will provide landscapers control of their battery needs.

The Ascent Series will also feature a redesigned, high-efficiency deck that will set a new standard for cut quality and performance. With three spindles, each with dual-blade technology and four cutting surfaces, the H-E-2, 60” deck is engineered to allow easy airflow to help process and clear grass fast and avoid clumping.

The Ascent Series from DEWALT features the C-60 as the first-ever mower with 2-in-1 crossover functionality. Operators can choose to stand or sit, and the conversion can be made in seconds for jobsite flexibility while maintaining a compact footprint to help optimize trailer space. An R-60 sit-only model will also be available.

The Ascent mowers will be complemented by the GroundCommand app to give fleet managers real-time visibility into the operational status of each mower, to remotely manage productivity and help optimize runtime. Cellular connectivity will provide live intel about battery life, blade operation, location, driving status, charging status and more with the ability to customize thresholds and notifications.

The Ascent Series mowers are the first in a succession of commercial electric options to come from DEWALT. The brand plans to introduce an electric outdoor product family, all powered by the swappable DEWALT battery system and supported by a nationwide network of dealers.

“We are also excited that the Ascent mowers may soon be eligible for a new tax credit of up to $7,500 for eligible commercial businesses,” said Adcock. “As a leader in the electrification of lawn and garden equipment, we collaborated with policymakers and other stakeholders to meet the demands of this growing outdoor market.”

The Davey Tree Expert Company has promoted Travis Evans to market manager, Bay Area operations, Residential/Commercial (R/C) services and Jeremy Nama to district manager, Santa Cruz, R/C services.  

Evans started his career with Davey in 2001 with the Davey Tree Surgery Company and Davey Resource Group until he moved to the Santa Clara R/C office in 2007 as sales arborist. He was named assistant district manager of this office in 2012. In 2015, Evans became the district manager of the new Santa Cruz R/C office, previously known as Nature First, which was acquired by Davey. Evans is an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist, an ISA Certified Utility Specialist and Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) Certified Tree Safety Professional.  

“Travis has a wide range of experience and has been instrumental in growing our Santa Cruz office,” said Andrew Ferguson, vice president, Western R/C operations. “He has a wealth of knowledge thanks to his diverse experience within Davey. That breadth of information will serve his clients well in the Bay Area.” 

Nama began his career in tree care in 1994 and founded Nature First in 1999. He joined Davey as a sales and service coordinator for the new Santa Cruz office in 2015 after Nature First joined Davey. Nama is an ISA Certified Arborist and a TCIA Certified Tree Safety Professional.  

“Jeremy is a hardworking, excellent Arborist and has great relationships throughout our market,” said Evans. “He will continue to expand his skillsets and provide a level of employee engagement necessary for our success in Santa Cruz.”  

Tree care workers will gather at the Charlotte Convention Center for TCI EXPO '22 this November.

The event (Nov. 10-12) is hosted by the Tree Care Industry Association. The event will also welcome more than 250 exhibitors on two trade show floors, 38 educational sessions, and an outdoor block party.

This event is for tree care professionals, from CEOs trying to grow their businesses and support their teams to climbers, as well as landscape management professionals and plant health care specialists.

Companies from around the country will display their latest equipment, tools, and software and the most technologically advanced large-scale equipment, such as knuckle boom cranes, bucket trucks, track lifts, and more.

TCI EXPOClimb features an entire floor dedicated to the climbing community and a unique experience for tree climbers to get on-site support from seasoned trainers and try out new gear. 

RC Mowers, a manufacturer of robotic mowers, announced the launch of its Autonomous Mowing Robot (AMR) line to help landscaping contractors reduce labor needs and scale their businesses to manage fewer employees while improving mowing profitability.

“RC Mowers’ Autonomous Mowing Robot is a revolutionary product that directly addresses the labor availability problems in the landscaping industry,” said Tim Kubista, vice president of sales and marketing for RC Mowers. “With our autonomous mowers,

RC Mowers, a manufacturer of robotic mowers, announced the launch of its Autonomous Mowing Robot (AMR) line to help landscaping contractors reduce labor needs and scale their businesses to manage fewer employees while improving mowing profitability.

“RC Mowers’ Autonomous Mowing Robot is a revolutionary product that directly addresses the labor availability problems in the landscaping industry,” said Tim Kubista, vice president of sales and marketing for RC Mowers. “With our autonomous mowers, landscape contractors can reduce the number of employees needed to handle mowing jobs. Our AMR’s allow one operator to generate the same revenue as a crew of three.  RC Mowers’ autonomous line creates the opportunity for increased profit from mowing services, which traditionally is the number one source of landscaping companies’ revenue but also generally the least profitable.”

With a focus on advanced technology and safety in mind, Michael Brandt, CEO of RC Mowers, put together a research and development team of cross-industry heavy-hitters. The autonomous line was designed and built by the RC Mowers robotics team, which is led by the experts who developed the U.S. military’s weapons guidance systems and includes experts who worked to develop U.S. Department of Defense autonomous vehicles as well as leading experts in aviation safety.

“This highly-skilled team saw the perennial problems the landscaping industry faces and then set out to develop this transformative product that solves those problems,” Kubista said. “These autonomous mowers can increase the productivity of a single operator by 300%. Landscape contractors often say they want to grow – that getting the work is easy – but they simply don’t have access to available labor that would allow them to scale their business. The Autonomous Mowing Robot solves this problem.”

Kubista said companies that transition to autonomy will have a significant competitive advantage. The services they offer will become more profitable and they’ll have the ability to grow without adding labor.

“Companies that stay at the forefront of technology are also able to attract the best talent by providing better wages because they’ve reduced their need for unskilled workers,” he said. “Skilled employees and fewer people to manage simply makes a business easier to run.”

The made-in-America Autonomous Mowing Robot will be distributed through the company’s established dealer network throughout the United States, Canada and Australia. The new AMR line joins RC Mowers’ remote-operated robotic mower line.

For more information on RC Mowers’ Autonomous Mowing Robots, click here.

Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply has acquired SiteLight LD, a Virginia distributor specializing in landscape lighting and design. 

This acquisition expands Ewing’s geographic footprint into the Richmond market, opening the supplier’s second location in Virginia. The alignment between Ewing and SiteLight will allow contractors and landscape designers access to the same great lighting products from SiteLight, while expanding category offerings into all outdoor living and landscaping products. SiteLight customers will have access to Ewing’s full catalog of products. including pavers, outdoor kitchens, fire pits, irrigation, turf and ornamentals, tools and more. 

“As we continue to expand in the Eastern Territory, we are always looking for opportunities to partner with companies that share similar philosophies as Ewing," said Phil Kerchner, Ewing Eastern Territory president. "A positive culture and one that believes in putting customers first is one of those philosophies. SiteLight has built its reputation as a premier supplier to the green industry for over 35 years doing just that. The company also provides us with a unique opportunity to launch our expansion into the Richmond, VA area while broadening our market reach throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region."

SITHL is releasing a new line of zero-turn mowers at EQUIP this week. One being the STIHL 500 Series. Equipped with commercial-grade Hydro-Gear ZT-3400 transaxles, these mowers offer a top forward speed of 10 mph and reverse speed of 5 mph, and the advanced four-wheel suspension system with mowing deck height compensation is designed to provide a comfortable ride and consistent cutting height. With four models to choose from—the STIHL RZ 552, STIHL RZ 552 K, STIHL RZ 560 and STIHL RZ 560 K—users can maintain property with the customized options and performance of the STIHL 500 Series.

“With a choice of a professional-grade 52” or 60” mowing deck and a Briggs & Stratton or Kawasaki carbureted engine, the STIHL 500 Series gives users the power options they need to efficiently mow multi-acre properties,” said Brian Manke, STIHL Inc. product manager. “On top of all that users will experience improved performance and a more comfortable ride on uneven surfaces with the adjustable rear suspension with shock absorbers.”

STIHL now offers various financing solutions on zero-turn mowers for ease of purchase. Qualifying customers can finance STIHL zero-turns with 0% and low APR programs, and all STIHL zero-turn mowers are backed with an up to 3-year limited warranty. As an added benefit to financing a zero-turn mower with a STIHL Dealer, customers can also include an unlimited number of STIHL handheld tools on the same purchase, giving them a convenient way to fulfill all their outdoor power equipment needs.

Key Standard Product Features

FieldBin will offer its application free of charge for one year to any Florida-based trade company assisting with Hurricane Ian recovery or rebuilding their existing business. FieldBin’s application is designed to help contracting, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, landscaping, and other trade companies manage every aspect of their business.

“Like many people across this country, we are heartbroken by the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian in Florida and the unimaginable hardships its residents and businesses now face,” said Garrett Wilson, the president of FieldBin. “We hope that by giving our solution to field service trade professionals assisting with hurricane recovery, we can help them get their businesses back up and running faster so that they are then able to better manage the massive challenge of rebuilding  their communities.

“The Hurricane Ian recovery effort requires significant boots on the ground, but Florida has been experiencing a significant shortage of skilled labor. Construction companies and other trade workers have an admirable history of responding quickly to disasters and emergencies, and we’d like to empower them to help in the relief efforts as best they can,” Garrett added.

FieldBin's features include work order scheduling, invoicing, inventory management, estimating and quotes, payments processing, service portal, and customer management with a simple-to-use interface, intuitive navigation, and drag-and-drop functionality – all accessible from anywhere on any device.

In addition to contracting, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and landscaping, FieldBin is ideal for painting, cleaning, roofing, fencing, and handyman service businesses.

SiteOne Landscape Supply launches its LESCO 300 Truck Mounted Tank Sprayer. The new unit features a 300 gallon tank, all electric start and 6.5 horsepower Vanguard engine.

“With an unknown economic outlook in 2023, we recognize it’s crucial for turf maintenance teams to be as productive as possible,” said Nick Schomer, SiteOne director of category management, equipment. “We’re excited to introduce our newest innovation at Equip Expo and offer unbeatable LESCO financing options. This is the perfect time for customers to elevate their business for next year.”

The truck mounted design offers alternative efficiencies compared to a stand-on unit, such as easy towability and space-savings. It features a Hydra-Cell pump engineered to be trouble-free and low maintenance.

The tank sprayer is resistant to corrosive chemicals and features molded, peel-resistant measurement labels for easy reading. It also includes a waterproof, lockable storage compartment. The unit attaches to most truck models and covers a large application area.

Now through Oct. 31, customers can take advantage of LESCO financing including 0% for 48 months (0.81% APR). Equip Exposition attendees can visit the SiteOne outdoor booth (Booth No. 6268D) to demo the new product, along with the full lineup of LESCO spreaders, sprayers, aerators and overseeders.

SITHL is releasing a new line of zero-turn mowers at EQUIP this week. One being the STIHL 500 Series. Equipped with commercial-grade Hydro-Gear ZT-3400 transaxles, these mowers offer a top forward speed of 10 mph and reverse speed of 5 mph, and the advanced four-wheel suspension system with mowing deck height compensation is designed to provide a comfortable ride and consistent cutting height. With four models to choose from—the STIHL RZ 552, STIHL RZ 552 K,

SITHL is releasing a new line of zero-turn mowers at EQUIP this week. One being the STIHL 500 Series. Equipped with commercial-grade Hydro-Gear ZT-3400 transaxles, these mowers offer a top forward speed of 10 mph and reverse speed of 5 mph, and the advanced four-wheel suspension system with mowing deck height compensation is designed to provide a comfortable ride and consistent cutting height. With four models to choose from—the STIHL RZ 552, STIHL RZ 552 K, STIHL RZ 560 and STIHL RZ 560 K—users can maintain property with the customized options and performance of the STIHL 500 Series.

“With a choice of a professional-grade 52” or 60” mowing deck and a Briggs & Stratton or Kawasaki carbureted engine, the STIHL 500 Series gives users the power options they need to efficiently mow multi-acre properties,” said Brian Manke, STIHL Inc. product manager. “On top of all that users will experience improved performance and a more comfortable ride on uneven surfaces with the adjustable rear suspension with shock absorbers.”

STIHL now offers various financing solutions on zero-turn mowers for ease of purchase. Qualifying customers can finance STIHL zero-turns with 0% and low APR programs, and all STIHL zero-turn mowers are backed with an up to 3-year limited warranty. As an added benefit to financing a zero-turn mower with a STIHL Dealer, customers can also include an unlimited number of STIHL handheld tools on the same purchase, giving them a convenient way to fulfill all their outdoor power equipment needs.

Key Standard Product Features

FieldBin will offer its application free of charge for one year to any Florida-based trade company assisting with Hurricane Ian recovery or rebuilding their existing business. FieldBin’s application is designed to help contracting, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, landscaping, and other trade companies manage every aspect of their business.

“Like many people across this country, we are heartbroken by the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian in Florida and the unimaginable hardships its residents and businesses now face,” said Garrett Wilson, the president of FieldBin. “We hope that by giving our solution to field service trade professionals assisting with hurricane recovery, we can help them get their businesses back up and running faster so that they are then able to better manage the massive challenge of rebuilding  their communities.

“The Hurricane Ian recovery effort requires significant boots on the ground, but Florida has been experiencing a significant shortage of skilled labor. Construction companies and other trade workers have an admirable history of responding quickly to disasters and emergencies, and we’d like to empower them to help in the relief efforts as best they can,” Garrett added.

FieldBin's features include work order scheduling, invoicing, inventory management, estimating and quotes, payments processing, service portal, and customer management with a simple-to-use interface, intuitive navigation, and drag-and-drop functionality – all accessible from anywhere on any device.

In addition to contracting, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and landscaping, FieldBin is ideal for painting, cleaning, roofing, fencing, and handyman service businesses.

SiteOne Landscape Supply launches its LESCO 300 Truck Mounted Tank Sprayer. The new unit features a 300 gallon tank, all electric start and 6.5 horsepower Vanguard engine.

“With an unknown economic outlook in 2023, we recognize it’s crucial for turf maintenance teams to be as productive as possible,” said Nick Schomer, SiteOne director of category management, equipment. “We’re excited to introduce our newest innovation at Equip Expo and offer unbeatable LESCO financing options. This is the perfect time for customers to elevate their business for next year.”

The truck mounted design offers alternative efficiencies compared to a stand-on unit, such as easy towability and space-savings. It features a Hydra-Cell pump engineered to be trouble-free and low maintenance.

The tank sprayer is resistant to corrosive chemicals and features molded, peel-resistant measurement labels for easy reading. It also includes a waterproof, lockable storage compartment. The unit attaches to most truck models and covers a large application area.

Now through Oct. 31, customers can take advantage of LESCO financing including 0% for 48 months (0.81% APR). Equip Exposition attendees can visit the SiteOne outdoor booth (Booth No. 6268D) to demo the new product, along with the full lineup of LESCO spreaders, sprayers, aerators and overseeders.

Embrace change.

That was the biggest piece of advice Judy Guido, industry consultant and chairwoman of Guido & Associates, offered during her session “Your market — how to read, leverage and monopolize it” during SiteOne’s recent Women in Green Industry event.

“Embrace change. Love change. Be change,” Guido told attendees. “Those who are standing still are not leaders.”

Guido added that leadership and growth in one’s market are also connected to continuing education and encourages everyone to be a “chronic learnaholic.”

In order to read one’s market correctly, Guide said there are five forces on a market that have to be understood. Those forces are:

1. Threat of new entrants
2. Threat of substitutes
3. Bargaining power of buyers
4. Bargaining power of suppliers
5. Rivalry among existing competitors

To combat these forces and to set your business apart from the competition, Guido asked attendees to consider their strategy.

“What’s different about you,” she said. “If you aren’t different, than you’re going to be valued only on price.”

Guido added it’s important to keep in mind that leadership in the market isn’t only about your business — it’s about your customers. By keeping that in mind, you’ll gain a stronger presence.

“It’s not about what we want. So, it’s not always about you,” she said. “It’s about them. Don’t just pretend to walk in their shoes, really be in them.”

Outside of the five main forces on a market, Guido noted that trends and other macro-economic forces such as economic infrastructure and commodities can also play a factor.

After understanding your place in your market, Guido said the next step is building your market map to really take things to the next level. A market map should identify six things. They are:

Identifying your ideal customer can be easy, Guido said. Companies should perform customer profiles and figure out who their core customers are.

“A core customer is the one willing to pay an optimal price,” she said.

In terms of channels, Guido said the two most important channels are sales and communication. Sales is all about how a company is going about selling their business and capitalizing on opportunities. And there should be more than one source.

“Your best sales channel hopefully are your customers,” Guido said. “And then your employees.”

Communication channels are about getting everyone talking about you Guido noted. She suggested all companies spend more time on branding, which boils down simply to name awareness and reputation.

Guido also touched on the importance of associations in helping boost one’s business. She noted there are over 27,000 associations in the U.S. and encouraged attendees to research and join some that fit their business/business model.

Partners, such as attorneys and CPAs, can be an overlooked part of your market map Guido said, but they are important to have relationships with to understand your market.

“Who are the people in our area to help us understand what’s going on in our town and our area to affect what we’re doing,” Guido said of identifying key partners.

Caterpillar Inc. announced that its Board of Directors has waived the policy requiring Caterpillar's Chairman and CEO, Jim Umpleby, to retire at age 65. Umpleby has agreed to remain in his position beyond February 2023, when he turns 65.

"Waiving the mandatory retirement policy for Jim provides the Board greater flexibility with its CEO succession process," said Debra Reed-Klages, presiding director, speaking on behalf of Caterpillar's Board of Directors. "Jim has provided strong strategic and operating leadership for the company, and we look forward to his continued leadership of the Caterpillar team."

Caterpillar Inc. announced that its Board of Directors has waived the policy requiring Caterpillar's Chairman and CEO, Jim Umpleby, to retire at age 65. Umpleby has agreed to remain in his position beyond February 2023, when he turns 65.

"Waiving the mandatory retirement policy for Jim provides the Board greater flexibility with its CEO succession process," said Debra Reed-Klages, presiding director, speaking on behalf of Caterpillar's Board of Directors. "Jim has provided strong strategic and operating

Caterpillar Inc. announced that its Board of Directors has waived the policy requiring Caterpillar's Chairman and CEO, Jim Umpleby, to retire at age 65. Umpleby has agreed to remain in his position beyond February 2023, when he turns 65.

"Waiving the mandatory retirement policy for Jim provides the Board greater flexibility with its CEO succession process," said Debra Reed-Klages, presiding director, speaking on behalf of Caterpillar's Board of Directors. "Jim has provided strong strategic and operating leadership for the company, and we look forward to his continued leadership of the Caterpillar team."

Greenzie, an autonomous software company for commercial lawn mowers and outdoor power equipment, closed an $8 million corporate strategic round. This was the company's largest equity raise yet, and it was led by Atlanta Ventures and including a strategic investment by Bobcat Company.

Greenzie's Robotic Ready program gives manufacturers the ability to upfit mowers with autonomous mowing functionality.

"We are thrilled to close our largest round yet and include strategic investments by a strong partner like Bobcat," said Charles Brian Quinn, Greenzie CEO and co-founder. "Atlanta Ventures invested again to lead this round and many existing investors, including myself, continue to believe in what the tremendous team at Greenzie is capable of."

Because Greenzie focuses exclusively on software, the business model is less capital intensive than other competitors. The additional $8 million raised in capital will allow Greenzie to grow its engineering team and to add additional manufacturers to the Robotic Ready program. It will also continue to grow its fleet of robotic workers already deployed with customers in the field.

"Greenzie has tremendous growth ahead and the noble mission of freeing humans from repetitive outdoor labor," said David Cummings, founder and partner, Atlanta Ventures. "Atlanta Ventures is excited to lead Greenzie's strategic round and to continue to back this promising technology startup as it grows."

Greenzie partners with manufacturers, working alongside them to incorporate the autonomous mowing software onto their established mowing platforms. Greenzie does not compete to sell its own hardware or physical mower. The strategic investment by Bobcat will help further boost these relationships across the industry. In the future, Greenzie's autonomous software could also be applied to adjacent industries such as a construction and mining.

"Innovation is part of the Bobcat DNA. We invented the compact equipment industry more than 60 years ago, and we continue to reimagine the future of the industry today," said Joel Honeyman, vice president of global innovation for Bobcat Company. "Through this investment with Greenzie, we can accelerate our development of operated-assisted and automated solutions to help our customers be more productive on the jobsite or their backyard."

Wright Manufacturing and Mean Green Mowers are inaugural members of Robotic Ready with other OEMs coming online this year.

Kawasaki Engines will pack additional horsepower for Equip Exposition 2022, highlighted by the launch of a new engine line that will join the Kawasaki lineup.

During the Oct. 19-21 gathering at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kawasaki Engines’ indoor exhibit space [booth #1064] will focus on the customer journey, where Kawasaki’s engines, parts and accessories work together to deliver proven performance and quality.

At the first station, visitors will progress through a timeline of Kawasaki’s engines over the years, culminating with the all-new engine, where immersive touchscreen technology will help tell the story. Kawasaki Engines will hold an unveiling of the new engine line on Wednesday, Oct. 19, at 1 p.m. and then a press conference about the new engines on Thursday, Oct. 20, at 11 a.m.; both events will take place at Kawasaki’s indoor exhibit, booth #1064.

The next station will spotlight Kawasaki’s recent growth and evolution at its new manufacturing facility in Boonville, MO, which began production during summer 2022. The third station will provide attendees an in-depth look at Kawasaki Engines’ line of fuels: KTECH Pre-Mixed 2- Cycle Fuel + Oil and KTECH Ethanol-Free 4-Cycle Fuel. These new formulations, developed to alleviate common problems for outdoor power equipment users, also feature various container sizes and new packaging.

Our annual State of the Industry Report was released in Lawn & Landscape’s October issue. Now it’s time to hear first-hand accounts on how 2022 has been for some landscapers and get their input on impactful factors and the future of the industry.

During a free webinar on Wednesday, Nov. 9, Editor Brian Horn will moderate a discussion with green industry professionals about what has happened in the industry over the past 12 months and what to expect in 2023. Topics will include: market trends, supply chain, inflation, labor and more.

Panelists for the discussion will include Pam Dooley, owner, Plants Creative; Nathan Dirksen, COO, Dennis' 7 Dees Landscaping; and Carita Koen, co-owner, Green Magic Landscape.

Click here to register now for this informative webinar. The webinar will be held at noon EST on Nov. 9.

Heritage Landscape Supply Group, Inc. has acquired Imperial Sprinkler Supply, Inc., an independently owned distributor of irrigation, outdoor lighting and other landscape products. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Founded in Placentia, California, in 1980 by Gabriel & Dolores Moriel, ISS operates a network of 25 branches across California, servicing professional irrigation and landscape contractors, municipalities, golf course superintendents, and other green industry professionals. The Moriel family and the Company’s entire sales and operations team will be staying with ISS to run the business going forward which will ensure continuity and consistency for customers, suppliers, and employees.

“We are honored to welcome the entire ISS team to the Heritage family,” said Matt McDermott, president of Heritage. “ISS is one of the largest and most respected independents in the country and has earned a reputation as the preeminent distributor in California. We are truly excited to add this game- changing and strategic acquisition to our growing network and look forward to seeing what our combined teams will accomplish together.”

 “Our family has spent decades building a business predicated on providing top-quality products and unparalleled customer service throughout California,” said Darlene Hunn, CEO of ISS. “After over 40 years in business, we were very fortunate to find a partner in Heritage that would be a trusting steward of our Company’s legacy and treat our people like family. It is with great excitement that we kick off this next phase of growth for ISS, providing our amazing team with the resources they need to take the Company to new heights. Together, we will support an enduring commitment to our customer and supplier partners, while continuing to empower the hard-working employees that make it all possible.”

Our annual State of the Industry Report was released in Lawn & Landscape’s October issue. Now it’s time to hear first-hand accounts on how 2022 has been for some landscapers and get their input on impactful factors and the future of the industry.

During a free webinar on Wednesday, Nov. 9, Editor Brian Horn will moderate a discussion with green industry professionals about what has happened in the industry over the past 12 months and what to expect in 2023. Topics will include: market trends,

Our annual State of the Industry Report was released in Lawn & Landscape’s October issue. Now it’s time to hear first-hand accounts on how 2022 has been for some landscapers and get their input on impactful factors and the future of the industry.

During a free webinar on Wednesday, Nov. 9, Editor Brian Horn will moderate a discussion with green industry professionals about what has happened in the industry over the past 12 months and what to expect in 2023. Topics will include: market trends, supply chain, inflation, labor and more.

Panelists for the discussion will include Pam Dooley, owner, Plants Creative; Nathan Dirksen, COO, Dennis' 7 Dees Landscaping; and Carita Koen, co-owner, Green Magic Landscape.

Click here to register now for this informative webinar. The webinar will be held at noon EST on Nov. 9.

Heritage Landscape Supply Group, Inc. has acquired Imperial Sprinkler Supply, Inc., an independently owned distributor of irrigation, outdoor lighting and other landscape products. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Founded in Placentia, California, in 1980 by Gabriel & Dolores Moriel, ISS operates a network of 25 branches across California, servicing professional irrigation and landscape contractors, municipalities, golf course superintendents, and other green industry professionals. The Moriel family and the Company’s entire sales and operations team will be staying with ISS to run the business going forward which will ensure continuity and consistency for customers, suppliers, and employees.

“We are honored to welcome the entire ISS team to the Heritage family,” said Matt McDermott, president of Heritage. “ISS is one of the largest and most respected independents in the country and has earned a reputation as the preeminent distributor in California. We are truly excited to add this game- changing and strategic acquisition to our growing network and look forward to seeing what our combined teams will accomplish together.”

 “Our family has spent decades building a business predicated on providing top-quality products and unparalleled customer service throughout California,” said Darlene Hunn, CEO of ISS. “After over 40 years in business, we were very fortunate to find a partner in Heritage that would be a trusting steward of our Company’s legacy and treat our people like family. It is with great excitement that we kick off this next phase of growth for ISS, providing our amazing team with the resources they need to take the Company to new heights. Together, we will support an enduring commitment to our customer and supplier partners, while continuing to empower the hard-working employees that make it all possible.”

Ditch Witch is debuting the new PT37 ride-on plow/trencher. This ride-on plow/trencher brings durability and usability to a proven model while retaining the simple, mechanical design preferred by many contractors.

The PT37 is a dedicated plow with an optional trencher, reel-carrier and hydra-bore configuration to meet a wide range of jobsite needs. An adjustable side-facing seat allows the operator to see all four tires and the plow box while operating. Further improving its functionality, the PT37 is largely mechanical and features a simplified control display. It also requires less maintenance due to its simplified exhaust cleaning and fewer grease points.

The PT37 ride-on plow/trencher is designed for ease of use and storage. It features a compact footprint, able to scale down to just 36 inches wide so users can enter standard gates and access tight workspaces. Its tires provide cost savings compared to a tracked version and minimizes the impact on yards. An optional dual-wheel configuration provides added traction and stability. A foldable ROPS design allows users to keep the PT37 on a trailer for easy parking and storage in garages.

A Yanmar diesel engine provides gross 36.8 HP (27.5 kW) at 3,000 RPM to deliver constant performance while plowing, trenching or boring. An optimized plow design provides down pressure to maintain consistent plowing up to 24 inches deep in a variety of conditions.

“The PT37 is based on a proven vibratory plow model that has been the preferred choice of many contractors for decades and remains in high demand for fiber installation,” said Brant Kukuk, Ditch Witch compact equipment product manager. “It combines the simple design and operation that users want with the next-generation innovation you expect from Ditch Witch. The result is a simple, compact and powerful utility machine that is ideal for irrigation and telecom projects.”

To check out the PT37 in person, visit the Ditch Witch booth at the Equipment Exposition in Louisville, Ky., Oct. 19-21, or contact your local Ditch Witch dealer.    

Country Clipper is proud to announce the redesign of its Challenger zero-turn mower series, now offering six new models designed for commercial landscapers and residential operators looking for a professional finish. Updates to components and features across the Challenger Series further improve performance and durability, with extra emphasis on operator comfort.

The Challenger Series is comprised of six models available with 52” and 60” cutting widths and engine options in both Kawasaki or Kohler. The new Challenger features notable comfort upgrades straight from the factory, equipped with a deluxe adjustable suspension seat delivering 2 inches of travel to further dampen bumpy rides and reduce operator fatigue. Combined with Country Clipper’s Contour Deck Tracking System, the Challenger series absorbs bumps and minimizes impact to the turf, ensuring an unrivaled quality of cut. Additional features like Joystick or Twin Lever steering, conveniently located cupholders, maintenance-friendly Stand-Up Deck, and easy-entry Wide Front Step remain standard across the entire series. 

Country Clipper’s new Challenger series zero-turn mowers offer a solution for professionals and homeowners looking for exceptional performance and comfort at a competitive price.

To learn more about the latest Country Clipper products, visit CountryClipper.com.

Steel Green Manufacturing will introduce its largest sprayer yet, the SGXL, and two prototype machines to attendees at Equip Exposition. The prototypes include the SG36-EV spreader/sprayer and the SG54 high-volume sprayer.

The SGXL is a multifunction applicator with capacity and versatility. A 120-gallon spray capacity makes it ideal for lawn care professionals who service commercial or large residential lawns. 

The SGXL features a 35-horsepower Kawasaki engine, 100-foot hose reel, 2.5-gallon foam marker, LED light bar, hillside assist system, and pressure control system. Its 12-mph transport speed and 27-gpm centrifugal pump save time at a time when efficiency is everything.

The Steel Green team developed the SGXL to meet the need for a larger, more versatile machine for turfgrass professionals. Taking prototypes to trade shows and use sites over the past year, the team received valuable feedback to design a machine that provides exceptional comfort and stability without requiring much storage space.

Steel Green is also excited to introduce two new prototypes at Equip. The SG36-EV will be the first all-electric ride-on spreader/sprayer on the market. The SG54 high-volume sprayer has a 100-gallon spray tank for efficient liquid applications.

Steel Green will also exhibit familiar favorites at Equip, including the SG36, SG46, and SG52. Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to demo the SG Rake attachment, which transforms a Steel Green spreader/sprayer into a dethatcher and seeding rake.

Roger Braswell’s book, “Stepping into the Moment: The Journey of a Serial Entrepreneur,” is now available to buy. Braswell is chairman at The Southern Shade Tree Co., in North Carolina.

All of the proceeds go to the foundation he created, Give Hope Global. The foundation is responsible for creating high schools in both Haiti and Ghana.

In this book, Braswell shares the story of how he achieved the American dream. From weathering extreme highs and lows to realizing the power of investing

Roger Braswell’s book, “Stepping into the Moment: The Journey of a Serial Entrepreneur,” is now available to buy. Braswell is chairman at The Southern Shade Tree Co., in North Carolina.

All of the proceeds go to the foundation he created, Give Hope Global. The foundation is responsible for creating high schools in both Haiti and Ghana.

In this book, Braswell shares the story of how he achieved the American dream. From weathering extreme highs and lows to realizing the power of investing in people to leaving one’s comfort zone behind, the book chronicles his journey to success.

You can learn more about the book and purchase it here.

Lawn & Landscape is once again calling for companies to enter its Best Places to Work contest. Lawn & Landscape works with Best Companies Group to determine the winners of the contest. Below are eligibility requirements:

• Businesses having 50% or more of revenue coming from landscaping services

• Publicly or privately held businesses; For-profit or not-for-profit businesses

• Business based in the U.S./Canada with 15+ full-time or part-time staff in the U.S./Canada

• Businesses that have been in business a minimum of 1 year

Registration Deadline is Jan. 27, 2023. For more information, click here.

Bartlett Tree Experts, the leading scientific tree care company with 159 offices worldwide, is pleased to announce that it has expanded its presence in the Alberta, Canada market with the acquisition of Sullivan Tree Service in Calgary.

Since 2008, Sullivan Tree has provided quality tree and shrub care services in Calgary and the surrounding areas. The acquisition, which includes the onboarding of 12 Sullivan Tree employees, provides greater depth of experience and strengthens the capabilities of Bartlett’s existing local office team in Calgary.

READ MORE: Bartlett acquired Tree Top in June

“Like Bartlett Tree Experts, Sullivan Tree is a family business with a passion for trees,” said Jim Ingram, president and chief operating officer of Bartlett Tree Experts. “As a leader in our industry for more than 115 years, we continue to expand our scientific tree care services in new and existing markets with a focus on quality work and customer satisfaction. We’re excited to welcome the Sullivan Tree team of professional arborists into our Calgary office.”

Noah Violini, vice president of Bartlett’s Canada Division, said the owner of Sullivan Tree, Joey Sullivan, approached Bartlett about joining forces because he heard favorable reviews from the former owner of a company that was previously acquired by Bartlett.

“They were impressed by our elevated level of safety, professionalism and customer service,” Violini said. “Bartlett has been committed to growing our presence in Canada since we began serving our clients here over 23 years ago. Sullivan Tree Service was the right cultural fit for this acquisition, which provides an important addition to our business and growth strategy. We’re proud to have their talented team join us, and we’re excited to show our new clients Bartlett’s offerings as a global leader in scientific tree care and safety in our industry.”

The acquisition doubles Bartlett’s presence in the greater Alberta area, which it first entered in 2019 with the acquisition of Tree Frog Tree Care. In addition to 147 offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ireland, the company operates 12 offices in Canada.

Sperber Landscape Companies has partnered with Idaho-based Trautman Lawn & Landscape Company.  

Founded by husband-and-wife team Tal and Jennifer Trautman in 1988, Trautman Lawn & Landscape provides commercial landscape maintenance, installation and snow services in the greater Boise market.

Tal Trautman will continue his leadership of the company alongside wife Jennifer.

“The Sperber partnership will allow us to provide better benefits and opportunities for our existing employees and, will also, set the foundation for growth and expansion," Tal said. "We are excited about the additional resources, technology, and support from the Sperber team. We look forward to taking this business to the next level.”

“Trautman is an exceptional family-built company that is doing great work within a thriving market," said Founder and Executive Chairman Richard Sperber. "We are excited for the future as we join forces with Tal, Jennifer and their talented team, and continue our mission to build the nation’s best-in-class landscaping company.”  

CCG Advisors exclusively represented the Trautman’s in the transaction. Brian Corbett, Founder & Managing Partner says, “Jennifer and Tal are great people and have built a fantastic maintenance company and know they will do well as a part of the Sperber family of companies.”

The National Association of Landscape Professionals held its new annual conference and expo, ELEVATE, which saw record attendance of 1,800 professionals from 47 states and 147 exhibitors at the ELEVATE Expo. The event also raised $50,000 for the NALP-PAC and nearly $200,000 for NALP’s Foundation.   “Our first ever ELEVATE event received rave reviews from attendees and we couldn’t be more proud,” said Britt Wood, NALP CEO. “We are honored to be able to bring the nation’s top industry leaders together for such a high-caliber education and networking event that helps companies find solutions to their biggest challenges.”NALP also presented its annual leadership and landscape project awards at ELEVATE.Kevin Kehoe, founder of Aspire and The Kehoe Family Foundation, was honored with the Lifetime Leadership Award for his years of service to the industry as a consultant, entrepreneur and philanthropist.  Pam Dooley, owner of Plants Creative Landscapes, was honored with the Women Leader of the Year Award for her dedication to the industry, most recently, serving on the executive committee of the NALP Board of Directors, as well as her commitment to supporting women in the industry.  Nick Brummel, the CEO of Brummel Lawn & Landscape, was honored with the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for his work building his company from the ground up and for his leadership in various industry groups, including chairing NALP’s Government Affairs Council.  Joe Munie, President of Munie Greencare Professionals, was honored with the Advocate of the Year for his dedication to lobbying for the industry at the state and national levels. This year, 182 projects received an Award of Excellence from NALP. The awards honor outstanding landscape management, landscape contacting, design-build, lawn care and interiorscape projects. View a list of winners. In addition, each year, one or more outstanding projects receive a prestigious Judges’ Award. This year, The LaurelRock Company received a Judges’ Award for their “Chateau Louise,” project located in Greenwich, Connecticut. And Ruppert Landscape received a Judges’ Award for their  “Norfolk Southern Headquarters,” project located in Atlanta, Georgia.  ELEVATE received support from top partners JOHN DEERE (Platinum), Caterpillar (Gold), and Bayer (Silver).  Next year ELEVATE will be held in Dallas, Texas, Sept.10-13, at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Conference Center.  

Lawn & Landscape is once again calling for companies to enter its Best Places to Work contest. Lawn & Landscape works with Best Companies Group to determine the winners of the contest. Below are eligibility requirements:

• Businesses having 50% or more of revenue coming from landscaping services

• Publicly or privately held businesses; For-profit or not-for-profit businesses

• Business based in the U.S./Canada with 15+ full-time or part-time staff in the U.S./Canada

• Businesses

Lawn & Landscape is once again calling for companies to enter its Best Places to Work contest. Lawn & Landscape works with Best Companies Group to determine the winners of the contest. Below are eligibility requirements:

• Businesses having 50% or more of revenue coming from landscaping services

• Publicly or privately held businesses; For-profit or not-for-profit businesses

• Business based in the U.S./Canada with 15+ full-time or part-time staff in the U.S./Canada

• Businesses that have been in business a minimum of 1 year

Registration Deadline is Jan. 27, 2023. For more information, click here.

Bartlett Tree Experts, the leading scientific tree care company with 159 offices worldwide, is pleased to announce that it has expanded its presence in the Alberta, Canada market with the acquisition of Sullivan Tree Service in Calgary.

Since 2008, Sullivan Tree has provided quality tree and shrub care services in Calgary and the surrounding areas. The acquisition, which includes the onboarding of 12 Sullivan Tree employees, provides greater depth of experience and strengthens the capabilities of Bartlett’s existing local office team in Calgary.

READ MORE: Bartlett acquired Tree Top in June

“Like Bartlett Tree Experts, Sullivan Tree is a family business with a passion for trees,” said Jim Ingram, president and chief operating officer of Bartlett Tree Experts. “As a leader in our industry for more than 115 years, we continue to expand our scientific tree care services in new and existing markets with a focus on quality work and customer satisfaction. We’re excited to welcome the Sullivan Tree team of professional arborists into our Calgary office.”

Noah Violini, vice president of Bartlett’s Canada Division, said the owner of Sullivan Tree, Joey Sullivan, approached Bartlett about joining forces because he heard favorable reviews from the former owner of a company that was previously acquired by Bartlett.

“They were impressed by our elevated level of safety, professionalism and customer service,” Violini said. “Bartlett has been committed to growing our presence in Canada since we began serving our clients here over 23 years ago. Sullivan Tree Service was the right cultural fit for this acquisition, which provides an important addition to our business and growth strategy. We’re proud to have their talented team join us, and we’re excited to show our new clients Bartlett’s offerings as a global leader in scientific tree care and safety in our industry.”

The acquisition doubles Bartlett’s presence in the greater Alberta area, which it first entered in 2019 with the acquisition of Tree Frog Tree Care. In addition to 147 offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ireland, the company operates 12 offices in Canada.

Sperber Landscape Companies has partnered with Idaho-based Trautman Lawn & Landscape Company.  

Founded by husband-and-wife team Tal and Jennifer Trautman in 1988, Trautman Lawn & Landscape provides commercial landscape maintenance, installation and snow services in the greater Boise market.

Tal Trautman will continue his leadership of the company alongside wife Jennifer.

“The Sperber partnership will allow us to provide better benefits and opportunities for our existing employees and, will also, set the foundation for growth and expansion," Tal said. "We are excited about the additional resources, technology, and support from the Sperber team. We look forward to taking this business to the next level.”

“Trautman is an exceptional family-built company that is doing great work within a thriving market," said Founder and Executive Chairman Richard Sperber. "We are excited for the future as we join forces with Tal, Jennifer and their talented team, and continue our mission to build the nation’s best-in-class landscaping company.”  

CCG Advisors exclusively represented the Trautman’s in the transaction. Brian Corbett, Founder & Managing Partner says, “Jennifer and Tal are great people and have built a fantastic maintenance company and know they will do well as a part of the Sperber family of companies.”

The National Association of Landscape Professionals held its new annual conference and expo, ELEVATE, which saw record attendance of 1,800 professionals from 47 states and 147 exhibitors at the ELEVATE Expo. The event also raised $50,000 for the NALP-PAC and nearly $200,000 for NALP’s Foundation.   “Our first ever ELEVATE event received rave reviews from attendees and we couldn’t be more proud,” said Britt Wood, NALP CEO. “We are honored to be able to bring the nation’s top industry leaders together for such a high-caliber education and networking event that helps companies find solutions to their biggest challenges.”NALP also presented its annual leadership and landscape project awards at ELEVATE.Kevin Kehoe, founder of Aspire and The Kehoe Family Foundation, was honored with the Lifetime Leadership Award for his years of service to the industry as a consultant, entrepreneur and philanthropist.  Pam Dooley, owner of Plants Creative Landscapes, was honored with the Women Leader of the Year Award for her dedication to the industry, most recently, serving on the executive committee of the NALP Board of Directors, as well as her commitment to supporting women in the industry.  Nick Brummel, the CEO of Brummel Lawn & Landscape, was honored with the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for his work building his company from the ground up and for his leadership in various industry groups, including chairing NALP’s Government Affairs Council.  Joe Munie, President of Munie Greencare Professionals, was honored with the Advocate of the Year for his dedication to lobbying for the industry at the state and national levels. This year, 182 projects received an Award of Excellence from NALP. The awards honor outstanding landscape management, landscape contacting, design-build, lawn care and interiorscape projects. View a list of winners. In addition, each year, one or more outstanding projects receive a prestigious Judges’ Award. This year, The LaurelRock Company received a Judges’ Award for their “Chateau Louise,” project located in Greenwich, Connecticut. And Ruppert Landscape received a Judges’ Award for their  “Norfolk Southern Headquarters,” project located in Atlanta, Georgia.  ELEVATE received support from top partners JOHN DEERE (Platinum), Caterpillar (Gold), and Bayer (Silver).  Next year ELEVATE will be held in Dallas, Texas, Sept.10-13, at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Conference Center.  

The TCI EXPO, hosted by the Tree Care Industry Association, is the  largest tree care industry conference and trade show in the world. This year it will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the Charlotte Convention Center, from Nov.10-12. With more than 250+ exhibitors, it allows professionals in the tree care industry to learn new skills, see the latest equipment and technology the industry has to offer and network with their peers. 

TCI EXPO ’22 will feature a new experience dedicated to the climbing community: TCI EXPOClimb. This experience gives tree climbers an opportunity to try out and try on new gear and get tips from experienced trainers. Climbers can try on everything from harnesses, to ropes, to personal protective equipment (PPE), to hardware and gear bags.  

This year’s vendors include Buckingham Climbing Innovations, Drayer Tree Care Equipment, Engineered Rope, ISA, Kong USA, Samson Rope, Speak Easy Communication and more.

TCI EXPOClimb amplifies the opportunities for networking and education for the attendees. “We’re excited to bring together so many players in the industry so that they can build relationships, learn from each other, demo new products and talk to the leading experts in the field,” said Peter Gerstenberg, senior VP of industry expertise at TCIA.

Leading experts include Jared Abrojena, president/co-founder of Academy-Trained, certified arborist and former International Tree Climbing Championship (ITCC) World Champion.  

Throughout TCI EXPOClimb, there will be music, gear giveaways, a Happy Hour and a demo area for climbers who want to geek out on gear and just talk trees.

To learn more about TCI EXPO ’22 go to: www.expo.tcia.org.

Bartlett Tree Experts, the leading scientific tree care company with 159 offices worldwide, is pleased to announce that it has expanded its presence in the Alberta, Canada market with the acquisition of Sullivan Tree Service in Calgary.

Since 2008, Sullivan Tree has provided quality tree and shrub care services in Calgary and the surrounding areas. The acquisition, which includes the onboarding of 12 Sullivan Tree employees, provides greater depth of experience and strengthens the capabilities

Bartlett Tree Experts, the leading scientific tree care company with 159 offices worldwide, is pleased to announce that it has expanded its presence in the Alberta, Canada market with the acquisition of Sullivan Tree Service in Calgary.

Since 2008, Sullivan Tree has provided quality tree and shrub care services in Calgary and the surrounding areas. The acquisition, which includes the onboarding of 12 Sullivan Tree employees, provides greater depth of experience and strengthens the capabilities of Bartlett’s existing local office team in Calgary.

READ MORE: Bartlett acquired Tree Top in June

“Like Bartlett Tree Experts, Sullivan Tree is a family business with a passion for trees,” said Jim Ingram, president and chief operating officer of Bartlett Tree Experts. “As a leader in our industry for more than 115 years, we continue to expand our scientific tree care services in new and existing markets with a focus on quality work and customer satisfaction. We’re excited to welcome the Sullivan Tree team of professional arborists into our Calgary office.”

Noah Violini, vice president of Bartlett’s Canada Division, said the owner of Sullivan Tree, Joey Sullivan, approached Bartlett about joining forces because he heard favorable reviews from the former owner of a company that was previously acquired by Bartlett.

“They were impressed by our elevated level of safety, professionalism and customer service,” Violini said. “Bartlett has been committed to growing our presence in Canada since we began serving our clients here over 23 years ago. Sullivan Tree Service was the right cultural fit for this acquisition, which provides an important addition to our business and growth strategy. We’re proud to have their talented team join us, and we’re excited to show our new clients Bartlett’s offerings as a global leader in scientific tree care and safety in our industry.”

The acquisition doubles Bartlett’s presence in the greater Alberta area, which it first entered in 2019 with the acquisition of Tree Frog Tree Care. In addition to 147 offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ireland, the company operates 12 offices in Canada.

Sperber Landscape Companies has partnered with Idaho-based Trautman Lawn & Landscape Company.  

Founded by husband-and-wife team Tal and Jennifer Trautman in 1988, Trautman Lawn & Landscape provides commercial landscape maintenance, installation and snow services in the greater Boise market.

Tal Trautman will continue his leadership of the company alongside wife Jennifer.

“The Sperber partnership will allow us to provide better benefits and opportunities for our existing employees and, will also, set the foundation for growth and expansion," Tal said. "We are excited about the additional resources, technology, and support from the Sperber team. We look forward to taking this business to the next level.”

“Trautman is an exceptional family-built company that is doing great work within a thriving market," said Founder and Executive Chairman Richard Sperber. "We are excited for the future as we join forces with Tal, Jennifer and their talented team, and continue our mission to build the nation’s best-in-class landscaping company.”  

CCG Advisors exclusively represented the Trautman’s in the transaction. Brian Corbett, Founder & Managing Partner says, “Jennifer and Tal are great people and have built a fantastic maintenance company and know they will do well as a part of the Sperber family of companies.”

The National Association of Landscape Professionals held its new annual conference and expo, ELEVATE, which saw record attendance of 1,800 professionals from 47 states and 147 exhibitors at the ELEVATE Expo. The event also raised $50,000 for the NALP-PAC and nearly $200,000 for NALP’s Foundation.   “Our first ever ELEVATE event received rave reviews from attendees and we couldn’t be more proud,” said Britt Wood, NALP CEO. “We are honored to be able to bring the nation’s top industry leaders together for such a high-caliber education and networking event that helps companies find solutions to their biggest challenges.”NALP also presented its annual leadership and landscape project awards at ELEVATE.Kevin Kehoe, founder of Aspire and The Kehoe Family Foundation, was honored with the Lifetime Leadership Award for his years of service to the industry as a consultant, entrepreneur and philanthropist.  Pam Dooley, owner of Plants Creative Landscapes, was honored with the Women Leader of the Year Award for her dedication to the industry, most recently, serving on the executive committee of the NALP Board of Directors, as well as her commitment to supporting women in the industry.  Nick Brummel, the CEO of Brummel Lawn & Landscape, was honored with the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for his work building his company from the ground up and for his leadership in various industry groups, including chairing NALP’s Government Affairs Council.  Joe Munie, President of Munie Greencare Professionals, was honored with the Advocate of the Year for his dedication to lobbying for the industry at the state and national levels. This year, 182 projects received an Award of Excellence from NALP. The awards honor outstanding landscape management, landscape contacting, design-build, lawn care and interiorscape projects. View a list of winners. In addition, each year, one or more outstanding projects receive a prestigious Judges’ Award. This year, The LaurelRock Company received a Judges’ Award for their “Chateau Louise,” project located in Greenwich, Connecticut. And Ruppert Landscape received a Judges’ Award for their  “Norfolk Southern Headquarters,” project located in Atlanta, Georgia.  ELEVATE received support from top partners JOHN DEERE (Platinum), Caterpillar (Gold), and Bayer (Silver).  Next year ELEVATE will be held in Dallas, Texas, Sept.10-13, at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Conference Center.  

The TCI EXPO, hosted by the Tree Care Industry Association, is the  largest tree care industry conference and trade show in the world. This year it will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the Charlotte Convention Center, from Nov.10-12. With more than 250+ exhibitors, it allows professionals in the tree care industry to learn new skills, see the latest equipment and technology the industry has to offer and network with their peers. 

TCI EXPO ’22 will feature a new experience dedicated to the climbing community: TCI EXPOClimb. This experience gives tree climbers an opportunity to try out and try on new gear and get tips from experienced trainers. Climbers can try on everything from harnesses, to ropes, to personal protective equipment (PPE), to hardware and gear bags.  

This year’s vendors include Buckingham Climbing Innovations, Drayer Tree Care Equipment, Engineered Rope, ISA, Kong USA, Samson Rope, Speak Easy Communication and more.

TCI EXPOClimb amplifies the opportunities for networking and education for the attendees. “We’re excited to bring together so many players in the industry so that they can build relationships, learn from each other, demo new products and talk to the leading experts in the field,” said Peter Gerstenberg, senior VP of industry expertise at TCIA.

Leading experts include Jared Abrojena, president/co-founder of Academy-Trained, certified arborist and former International Tree Climbing Championship (ITCC) World Champion.  

Throughout TCI EXPOClimb, there will be music, gear giveaways, a Happy Hour and a demo area for climbers who want to geek out on gear and just talk trees.

To learn more about TCI EXPO ’22 go to: www.expo.tcia.org.

About 12 years ago, author Alex Banayan was laying in his bed in his college dorm wondering what he wanted to do with this life. He was a pre-med student, but being doctor wasn’t his dream job. He wanted to know how people became successful and went searching for a book on the topic.

But he came up empty handed, so he started writing the book, which he hoped would highlight how successful people made it to the top – like how Bill Gates sold his first piece of software. One obstacle in the way was the lack of money he would need to complete the project.

He got some free tickets to the Price is Right, hacked his way to get chosen and eventually won a sailboat. He turned that sailboat in $17,000 and began his 7-year journey of writing the book, but not without hurdles.

Banayan was the keynote speaker at the inaugural Elevate event hosted by the National Association of Landscape Professionals. His presentation centered on not giving up on opportunities and how mistakes should be embraced.

After pursuing an interview with Warren Buffett for 6 months, he was invited to attend his annual shareholder meeting. Banayan again, hacked his way into becoming one of the attendees who can ask questions, but Banayan says it was a disaster without going into detail.

While licking his wounds with a friend on the sidewalk outside a grocery store, the late television broadcaster Larry King drove up to run in and grab something quick. Banayan was originally reluctant to approach him, but his friend convinced him to go. Banayana says he kept making excuses on why he shouldn’t approach King.

“Fear is really good about making logical excuses,” he says.

But after a nudge from the friend, Banayan tracked him down and asked him to go to breakfast. With people watching, King reluctantly agreed to the do so the next morning. Banayan showed up the next morning and saw King eating with friends. He waited at another table, and as King walked by him to leave, Banayan tells King he just wants his advice on how to interview people. King got a big smile on his face and said, “why didn’t you say so?”

Over the next 5 years, they went to breakfast 50 times.

“It was my journey to interview these people that taught me the most,” he says.

He learned through this journey that there is a huge difference between how we are taught what an implicit message versus an explicit message. He uses the example of if you aren’t good at one sport as a kid, you should immediately try a new one without trying to get better at the current sport. 

“You have as many at bats as you are willing to give yourself,” he says. “That’s changed my life forever.”

Banayan also interviewed music producing legend Quincy Jones, who told Banayan that people treat mistakes as their biggest enemy when you should treat them as your best friend. “Your mistakes are your greatest gift,” he told Banayan. “You have to cherish your mistakes.”

Sperber Landscape Companies has partnered with Idaho-based Trautman Lawn & Landscape Company.  

Founded by husband-and-wife team Tal and Jennifer Trautman in 1988, Trautman Lawn & Landscape provides commercial landscape maintenance, installation and snow services in the greater Boise market.

Tal Trautman will continue his leadership of the company alongside wife Jennifer.

“The Sperber partnership will allow us to provide better benefits and opportunities for our existing employees

Sperber Landscape Companies has partnered with Idaho-based Trautman Lawn & Landscape Company.  

Founded by husband-and-wife team Tal and Jennifer Trautman in 1988, Trautman Lawn & Landscape provides commercial landscape maintenance, installation and snow services in the greater Boise market.

Tal Trautman will continue his leadership of the company alongside wife Jennifer.

“The Sperber partnership will allow us to provide better benefits and opportunities for our existing employees and, will also, set the foundation for growth and expansion," Tal said. "We are excited about the additional resources, technology, and support from the Sperber team. We look forward to taking this business to the next level.”

“Trautman is an exceptional family-built company that is doing great work within a thriving market," said Founder and Executive Chairman Richard Sperber. "We are excited for the future as we join forces with Tal, Jennifer and their talented team, and continue our mission to build the nation’s best-in-class landscaping company.”  

CCG Advisors exclusively represented the Trautman’s in the transaction. Brian Corbett, Founder & Managing Partner says, “Jennifer and Tal are great people and have built a fantastic maintenance company and know they will do well as a part of the Sperber family of companies.”

The National Association of Landscape Professionals held its new annual conference and expo, ELEVATE, which saw record attendance of 1,800 professionals from 47 states and 147 exhibitors at the ELEVATE Expo. The event also raised $50,000 for the NALP-PAC and nearly $200,000 for NALP’s Foundation.   “Our first ever ELEVATE event received rave reviews from attendees and we couldn’t be more proud,” said Britt Wood, NALP CEO. “We are honored to be able to bring the nation’s top industry leaders together for such a high-caliber education and networking event that helps companies find solutions to their biggest challenges.”NALP also presented its annual leadership and landscape project awards at ELEVATE.Kevin Kehoe, founder of Aspire and The Kehoe Family Foundation, was honored with the Lifetime Leadership Award for his years of service to the industry as a consultant, entrepreneur and philanthropist.  Pam Dooley, owner of Plants Creative Landscapes, was honored with the Women Leader of the Year Award for her dedication to the industry, most recently, serving on the executive committee of the NALP Board of Directors, as well as her commitment to supporting women in the industry.  Nick Brummel, the CEO of Brummel Lawn & Landscape, was honored with the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for his work building his company from the ground up and for his leadership in various industry groups, including chairing NALP’s Government Affairs Council.  Joe Munie, President of Munie Greencare Professionals, was honored with the Advocate of the Year for his dedication to lobbying for the industry at the state and national levels. This year, 182 projects received an Award of Excellence from NALP. The awards honor outstanding landscape management, landscape contacting, design-build, lawn care and interiorscape projects. View a list of winners. In addition, each year, one or more outstanding projects receive a prestigious Judges’ Award. This year, The LaurelRock Company received a Judges’ Award for their “Chateau Louise,” project located in Greenwich, Connecticut. And Ruppert Landscape received a Judges’ Award for their  “Norfolk Southern Headquarters,” project located in Atlanta, Georgia.  ELEVATE received support from top partners JOHN DEERE (Platinum), Caterpillar (Gold), and Bayer (Silver).  Next year ELEVATE will be held in Dallas, Texas, Sept.10-13, at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Conference Center.  

The TCI EXPO, hosted by the Tree Care Industry Association, is the  largest tree care industry conference and trade show in the world. This year it will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the Charlotte Convention Center, from Nov.10-12. With more than 250+ exhibitors, it allows professionals in the tree care industry to learn new skills, see the latest equipment and technology the industry has to offer and network with their peers. 

TCI EXPO ’22 will feature a new experience dedicated to the climbing community: TCI EXPOClimb. This experience gives tree climbers an opportunity to try out and try on new gear and get tips from experienced trainers. Climbers can try on everything from harnesses, to ropes, to personal protective equipment (PPE), to hardware and gear bags.  

This year’s vendors include Buckingham Climbing Innovations, Drayer Tree Care Equipment, Engineered Rope, ISA, Kong USA, Samson Rope, Speak Easy Communication and more.

TCI EXPOClimb amplifies the opportunities for networking and education for the attendees. “We’re excited to bring together so many players in the industry so that they can build relationships, learn from each other, demo new products and talk to the leading experts in the field,” said Peter Gerstenberg, senior VP of industry expertise at TCIA.

Leading experts include Jared Abrojena, president/co-founder of Academy-Trained, certified arborist and former International Tree Climbing Championship (ITCC) World Champion.  

Throughout TCI EXPOClimb, there will be music, gear giveaways, a Happy Hour and a demo area for climbers who want to geek out on gear and just talk trees.

To learn more about TCI EXPO ’22 go to: www.expo.tcia.org.

About 12 years ago, author Alex Banayan was laying in his bed in his college dorm wondering what he wanted to do with this life. He was a pre-med student, but being doctor wasn’t his dream job. He wanted to know how people became successful and went searching for a book on the topic.

But he came up empty handed, so he started writing the book, which he hoped would highlight how successful people made it to the top – like how Bill Gates sold his first piece of software. One obstacle in the way was the lack of money he would need to complete the project.

He got some free tickets to the Price is Right, hacked his way to get chosen and eventually won a sailboat. He turned that sailboat in $17,000 and began his 7-year journey of writing the book, but not without hurdles.

Banayan was the keynote speaker at the inaugural Elevate event hosted by the National Association of Landscape Professionals. His presentation centered on not giving up on opportunities and how mistakes should be embraced.

After pursuing an interview with Warren Buffett for 6 months, he was invited to attend his annual shareholder meeting. Banayan again, hacked his way into becoming one of the attendees who can ask questions, but Banayan says it was a disaster without going into detail.

While licking his wounds with a friend on the sidewalk outside a grocery store, the late television broadcaster Larry King drove up to run in and grab something quick. Banayan was originally reluctant to approach him, but his friend convinced him to go. Banayana says he kept making excuses on why he shouldn’t approach King.

“Fear is really good about making logical excuses,” he says.

But after a nudge from the friend, Banayan tracked him down and asked him to go to breakfast. With people watching, King reluctantly agreed to the do so the next morning. Banayan showed up the next morning and saw King eating with friends. He waited at another table, and as King walked by him to leave, Banayan tells King he just wants his advice on how to interview people. King got a big smile on his face and said, “why didn’t you say so?”

Over the next 5 years, they went to breakfast 50 times.

“It was my journey to interview these people that taught me the most,” he says.

He learned through this journey that there is a huge difference between how we are taught what an implicit message versus an explicit message. He uses the example of if you aren’t good at one sport as a kid, you should immediately try a new one without trying to get better at the current sport. 

“You have as many at bats as you are willing to give yourself,” he says. “That’s changed my life forever.”

Banayan also interviewed music producing legend Quincy Jones, who told Banayan that people treat mistakes as their biggest enemy when you should treat them as your best friend. “Your mistakes are your greatest gift,” he told Banayan. “You have to cherish your mistakes.”

Bobcat Company officially opened a new, 110,000-square-foot Bobcat Aftermarket Parts Distribution Center (PDC) in Reno, Nevada, marking the first of two new Bobcat PDCs to open in the U.S. in 2022. Joining the company’s existing Bobcat Parts Distribution Center near Chicago in Woodridge, Illinois, an additional regional location will open in Atlanta later this year.

"The opening of the Reno parts distribution center reinforces Bobcat’s commitment to providing industry-leading service, as this new facility supports the businesses of our customers and dealer partners by providing greater parts availability and faster deliveries," said Mike Ballweber, president of Bobcat Company North America.

With the planned opening of the additional PDC in Atlanta, these two new, regional facilities will roughly double the company’s warehouse footprint, adding approximately 445,000 square feet of additional distribution and storage space to the existing 358,000-square-foot primary parts distribution center in Chicago. All facilities are managed by APL Logistics.

Strategically located in the western U.S. at 9477 N. Virginia Street in Reno, with accessibility to major airports and highways, the new parts distribution center employs approximately 35 people and provides Bobcat dealers and customers with enhanced service options, increased inventory and faster parts delivery.

“This additional aftermarket parts distribution facility demonstrates our commitment to providing best-in-class uptime to our customers across United States and Canada,” said Brad Claus, Bobcat Company vice president of aftermarket parts and service. “This investment will positively impact our dealer network and equipment owners by ensuring we can deliver the right parts at the right time.”

These new distribution facilities located throughout the U.S., along with expanded customer service teams, will enable quicker order-to-delivery times and the highest level of service for aftermarket parts, including same-day order processing and extended order hours; expanded dealer support programs and customer service hours; improved speed of delivery times and additional shipping carrier options.

The new aftermarket parts distribution centers are an important part of Bobcat’s overall plans to meet growing demand for Bobcat equipment in the marketplace. Bobcat parts are available to order through local Bobcat dealers or at shop.bobcat.com.