Develon recently opened a new construction equipment training, testing and education facility called the HD Construction Equipment (HDCE) Real Operation Center (ROC) in Tucson, Ariz.
The new facility replaces the previous testing and training center. It is located adjacent to the Tucson International Airport and provides a convenient site to hold training sessions on advanced technologies, test the lineup of current and new Develon heavy and compact equipment and host dealer and customer events.
“For the past 15 years at our former facility, we hosted thousands of construction equipment owners, operators and dealer representatives for hands-on training, product testing and special events,” says Morgan Stallings, senior director of dealer development and marketing at Develon. “The new facility will build upon its success and support our North American dealers. It will have acres of open operation area where visitors can come year-round to see and feel what makes Develon machines different from other brands.”
Develon broke ground on the new facility last October. While at the HDCE ROC, operators and sales teams will eventually be able to learn from experts in a classroom setting; a permanent building is planned for the site. As part of the planned building, there will also be service bays available for dealer training and maintenance purposes.
Visitors will get one-on-one time with Develon subject matter experts who will highlight key machine differences, describe key features and demonstrate cutting-edge innovations like the exclusive Transparent Bucket and around view monitor (AVM) camera system.
“The training facility plays a key role in what we do,” says Armand Cencetti, vice president of sales at Best Line Equipment. “It helps our sales team get hands-on equipment experience and gives us a place to test machines and gather real data. And it lets us bring in customers to see and demo Develon equipment in person, building stronger, long-standing relationships along the way.”
Kubota establishes new marketing building at the Brooklyn Navy Yard
Kubota recently established a marketing office in Building 77 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard to promote the sales of its Plant Factory with Artificial Lighting (PFAL). The new office, named KUAMO (Kubota Urban Agriculture Marketing Office), is equipped with artificial-light cultivation systems developed by PLANTX Corporation, a company in which Kubota holds an equity interest.
KUAMO will utilize the PLANTX Closed-type plant cultivation system to conduct local market research, identify potential customers and partners and carry out essential marketing activities, including identifying potential customers and partners for Kubota’s plant factory business in the United States.
“We are truly excited to explore new opportunities for PFAL from the heart of Brooklyn Navy Yard — an innovation hub that represents the future of sustainable urban development. By leveraging advanced PFAL technology, we aim to build a resilient, hyper-local and vibrant food production ecosystem across the East Coast,” said Harutoshi Niki, general manager of KUAMO.
PFAL systems grow crops indoors using LED lighting and precisely controlled environments. This approach enables stable, year-round production regardless of climate conditions and achieves high yields even on limited urban land, making it an increasingly attractive. In particular, the PLANTX cultivation system employs proprietary technology to tightly control the environment within small, sealed compartments, delivering more consistent product quality and higher productivity compared with conventional PFAL methods.
“With a wide range of innovative companies operating across the Navy Yard, the campus functions as a true innovation ecosystem — one built on collaboration, connectivity and shared growth,” said Lindsay Greene, president and CEO of the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation. “We’re thrilled to officially welcome a well-established, multi-national industrial company like Kubota to Building 77 and look forward to providing a supportive environment as it builds on its current success.”
Takeuchi expands dealer network to Lake Worth, Fla.
Takeuchi has expanded its dealer network with the addition of Durante Equipment in Lake Worth, Fla. The new location will provide Takeuchi customers with new equipment sales, parts and service support, while Durante will make a full line of Takeuchi machines available for rent from its corporate headquarters in Hollywood, Fla.
“At Durante Equipment, we’ve always focused on providing our customers with the right machines and the best possible support after the sale,” said John Durante, president and CEO of Durante Equipment. “Takeuchi builds equipment that aligns perfectly with our values — it’s reliable, durable and engineered for the way contractors actually work. We’re proud to represent a brand that shares our commitment to quality and long-term customer relationships.”
Founded in 2019, Durante Equipment employs 36 people across two locations that serve contractors throughout South Florida’s Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties. Backed by decades of industry expertise, the company has built a solid reputation by providing reliable equipment with a customer-first approach, according to Takeuchi. Durante Equipment has been recognized for its excellence by the American Rental Association (ARA) and was included in Inc. Magazine’s “2025 Inc. 5,000,” an annual ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in America.
“We look for dealer partners who understand their markets and can support customers with the right machines and expertise, and Durante Equipment does exactly that,” said Eric Wenzel, Southeast regional business manager for Takeuchi-US. “With their growing presence in South Florida and the new Lake Worth location, they’re well positioned to help contractors throughout Palm Beach County discover the difference Takeuchi compact equipment can make on their productivity and bottom lines.”
