This summer, Stihl once again welcomed a group of aspiring innovators to its Virginia Beach headquarters for the 11th annual Manufacturing Technology Summer Camp. Held from July 29-Aug. 1, the immersive four-day program gave 32 high school students from across the region a hands-on introduction to real-world STEM and skilled trade careers. Students worked in teams designing and building either analog or digital clocks using Stihl product components, applying engineering, planning and teamwork in a competitive setting.
The program culminated in a friendly team competition judged by local leaders, with the top team earning the title of 2025 champions. Tangerine Timepieces — Brooks Shows, Scott Chippendale, Tyson Nguyen, Chloe Karika, Lucas Bundy, Abigail Messing and Bella Grace Chavez — impressed the panel with a variety of both analog and digital clocks, showcasing outstanding innovation, collaboration and execution. Winning campers each received a $1,000 scholarship to support their continued growth in STEM education and career pathways.
“Being part of the Stihl summer camp for several years has been a game changer for me. Every year, I grow more confident in my leadership and teamwork skills, and I gain a deeper understanding of how a business really works, from planning to execution,” said Bella Grace Chavez, an 11th grader celebrating her third year as part of a winning team. “This hands-on competition has helped me discover what I’m capable of and encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone.”
Throughout the week, students navigated every phase of the manufacturing process, from concept development to budgeting and quality control, mirroring the real-world demands of the industry. On the final day, teams presented their finished clocks to a panel of distinguished local judges:
- Anne Ferrell Tata, delegate, Virginia House of Delegates – District 99
- Bobby Dyer, Mayor of Virginia Beach
- Andy Gladstein, campus president, ECPI University
- Jeff Largen, regional sales manager, Shingle and Gibb Automation
“This program opens students’ eyes to the exciting possibilities within modern manufacturing,” said Courtney Addison, senior manager of talent development at Stihl. “Every year, we see students leave the camp not only with new skills but with a clearer vision for their future. For many, that future includes a career in STEM or a pathway in skilled trades — both of which offer fulfilling opportunities in the manufacturing sector.”
Isuzu reveals winner for several company competitions
Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, a distributor of low cab forward trucks, held their National Sales Walkaround, Service Walkaround, Parts Salesperson Product Presentation and North America I-1 Grand Prix Technical competitions. More than 800 contestants submitted entries and completed training in 2025 to qualify for this coveted event. Finalists gathered in Pittston, Pa., at Isuzu’s Center of Excellence during the week of Aug. 4 to showcase their talents and skills.
“It is so fun for our staff and competitors to spend time and compete with the best of the best for 2025,” said Shaun C. Skinner, president of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America and Isuzu Commercial Truck of Canada. “It speaks volumes of the talent our Isuzu dealers have recruited and trained to get to this level. I know this is a big competition, but more than that, it is a celebration of the contestants’ hard work and giving their best for the Isuzu brand and their dealership.”
2025 Isuzu National Sales Walkaround Competition
The Isuzu National Sales Walkaround Competition featured participants that had first won their district and regional contests, earning their place to compete at the prestigious “Isuzu Week of Weeks.” Their challenge was to present a 2025 Isuzu FVR Derate with a Voth aluminum dump body to a fictitious “customer” who had never owned an Isuzu or a low cab forward truck. The 2025 National Sales Walkaround Champion goes to William Little from Truckworx in Birmingham, Ala.
- National Champion (Isuzu Winners’ Circle Gold trip to Prague, Czech Republic and Vienna, Austria in February 2026) Southern Regional Champion: Walter Strick, Truckworx, Birmingham, Ala.
- Second Place (Isuzu Winners’ Circle Silver trip to Scottsdale, Ariz., in March 2026) Northern Regional Champion: Matt Sherman, Isuzu Truck of Providence, Providence, R.I.
- Third Place ($2,000 in cash) Western Regional Champion: Brady Christenson, Pritchard’s Isuzu Truck, Forest City, Iowa
2025 Isuzu National Service Walkaround Competition
The Isuzu National Service Walkaround Competition consisted of four regional champions that had only 10 minutes to demonstrate their Isuzu product and maintenance expertise to a fictitious service customer on a 2022 Isuzu NRR. Given the limited time available to inspect the truck and identify all serviceable areas, participants faced a significant challenge in effectively communicating the necessary service requirements to our simulated customer. After the rigorous competition, the 2025 National Service Walkaround Champion went to William Little from Truckworx in Birmingham, Ala.
- National Champion (Isuzu Winners’ Circle Gold trip to Prague, Czech Republic and Vienna, Austria in February 2026) Southern Regional Champion: William Little, Truckworx, Birmingham, Ala.
- Second Place (Isuzu Winners’ Circle Silver trip to Scottsdale, Ariz. in March 2026) Western Regional Champion: James Beuchner, PTR Isuzu, West Chicago, Ill.
- Third Place ($2,000 in cash) Northern Regional Champion: Chris Wodarcyk, Fyda Isuzu, Walton, Ky.
- Fourth Place ($1,000 in cash) Canada Regional Champion: Tanya Doolan, Western Isuzu Truck, Edmonton, Canada
For a full list of competitors’ final placements and other competitions, visit the “Weeks of Weeks” Competitions page on the Isuzu website.
Ditch Witch makes strategic moves to accelerate growth
Ditch Witch, a division of The Toro Company, announced several strategic actions to support future growth in its core segments, drive operational efficiencies and reinforce a strong position in the underground construction industry.
Focused on delivering solutions that align with the evolution of its targeted industries, The Toro Company has completed the sale of the Trencor business and the auger boring product line of the American Augers business. These actions allow Ditch Witch and American Augers to strengthen its focus on horizontal directional drilling (HDD), a rapidly growing segment of the underground construction market supported by demand in the pipeline, water and energy transmission sectors.
“These decisions reflect our vision and unwavering dedication to our customers and partners,” said Kevin Smith, vice president of Ditch Witch. “By streamlining our operations and focusing on the fastest-growing, most critical technologies, we are positioning Ditch Witch and our dealer network to continue to lead the industry for years to come.”
Under the Ditch Witch Division, American Augers will continue to design, manufacture and distribute its line of horizontal directional drills, pumps and fluid cleaning systems for complex infrastructure projects. The company stated that as underground construction projects become more challenging, Ditch Witch’s renewed focus on HDD and trenchless technologies underscores its commitment to operational excellence, innovation and meeting the evolving needs of contractors worldwide.
“Looking ahead, these strategic moves help strengthen our foundation and accelerate our ability to deliver the quality, innovative solutions our customers expect,” Smith said. “We are excited and ready to lead the next era of underground construction.”
SpringGreen celebrates crossing the $100 million revenue mark
SpringGreen has officially crossed the $100 million revenue mark, a major milestone celebrated during the company’s 2025 National Training Conference. The achievement fulfills a longtime vision of founder Tom Hofer and represents years of steady growth, operational strength and franchise owner success, according to the company.
“This moment has been years in the making,” said CEO Ted Hofer, son of Tom Hofer. “When my father set his sights on $100 million, it wasn’t just a number — it was a challenge to think bigger, serve better and build a system that could scale. We’re proud to say we’ve arrived and even more excited for where we’re headed next.”
In addition to the $100 million milestone, the company recognized franchise owner Jason Jordan for reaching $5 million in annual revenue — the highest ever achieved by an independently owned SpringGreen franchise owner. SpringGreen stated his success highlights the growth potential within the system and sets a powerful example for other owners.
“Jason’s accomplishment is remarkable,” said Brad Johnson, president of SpringGreen. “He’s not just building a strong business — he’s setting a new standard for what’s possible across the SpringGreen system.”
The company also celebrated its growing list of Green Jacket Club members — franchise owners who have reached $1 million or more in annual revenue. These leaders reflect the strength of SpringGreen’s model and the continued evolution of the brand toward larger, multi-service operations that deliver long-term value.
Green Lawn Fertilizing named a Best Place to Work in Philadelphia
Green Lawn Fertilizing has been named one of the Philadelphia Business Journal’s 2025 Best Places to Work, earning the No. 2 spot in the large company category. This distinction reflects the company’s dedication to fostering a supportive, high-performing workplace where employee well-being and engagement drive our success across the region, according to Green Lawn Fertilizing.
“This honor means the world to us because it comes directly from our team,” said Matt Jesson, founder and CEO. “We’ve always believed that when you invest in people, everything else follows. This recognition reflects that belief in action.”
Team members from each department attended the awards dinner last week to celebrate the achievement together. The night marked a shared moment of pride for the company that stated it has built its success on the values of teamwork, growth and service.
“Our culture is the engine behind our performance,” said Josh Willey, president and COO. “We work hard to create an environment where people feel empowered, motivated and truly appreciated. Being recognized as a top workplace validates that we’re on the right path.”
Green Lawn Fertilizing/Green Pest Solutions continues to grow rapidly across Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware while maintaining a high employee retention and satisfaction score. With plans to expand into new markets and develop even more career pathways internally, the company stated it remains committed to being a leader in lawn care, pest control and workplace culture.
