Takeuchi-US held a ground-breaking ceremony on Oct. 11 for a new training facility set to open in spring 2020. The new center will allow dealers from North America and around the globe to gain knowledge about Takeuchi products and offer year-round service training to its growing dealer network.
The company is expanding from its current training environment, which the manufacturer has used since relocating to Pendergrass, Ga., in 2006. The new building will be 37,500 square feet on 9.45 acres. It will feature two dedicated service training classrooms and workshop areas, workspace for the training department, two flex-space training rooms, two flex-space meeting rooms, a cafeteria and kitchen area that can hold 90 people, as well as a 7,500-square-foot covered demo area.
“This new training facility will give us the opportunity to train more dealer staff, conduct year-round training and take our training programs to the next level,” said Jeff Stewart vice president/general manager of Takeuchi-US. “Takeuchi is dedicated to providing cutting-edge training to best educate our dealers, and we are very excited to open the doors and invite our dealer network to participate in this exciting next step with us.”
The Davey Tree Expert Co. celebrated its 40th anniversary of employee ownership during October, employee-ownership month.
After becoming employee-owned in 1979, the company made employee ownership a core value and driver of growth. Davey initially marked an annual revenue in 1978 of $52 million with approximately 2,800 employees. Forty years later, President and CEO Pat Covey said the company’s achievement of over $1 billion in revenue with more than 10,500 employees shows a deep-seated belief in employee ownership.
“In 2013, we set a goal of $1 billion in revenue by 2020 as part of our strategic plan,” Covey said. “We achieved that goal two years early because of our steadfast focus on continued growth, but more importantly, because of our focus on our people, clients and financial sustainability. As we look forward, we will continue to build on this solid foundation that has made us culturally unique and successful.”
ASV Holdings named Barda Equipment as the 2019 Dealer of the Year and Barry Equipment as the 2019 Rookie of the Year. ASV presented the awards at its annual dealer meeting.
ASV named Alberta, Canada-based Barda Equipment Dealer of the Year due to the dealer’s focus on quality products and service. Massachusetts-based Barry Equipment earned the Rookie of the Year award for going beyond expectations in its market.
“ASV understands the important role dealers play in the industry and in ASV’s success,” said Justin Rupar, ASV vice president of sales and marketing. “Each year we show our appreciation through these awards, recognizing dealers for their loyalty and partnership with the ASV brand.”
Every year, The Home Depot recognizes its supplier partners who introduce new products that deliver efficiency and cost-savings, which benefit both pros and DIYers.
This year, The Home Depot is awarding finalists across several categories, including outdoor power equipment. One of the top winners included the Cub Cadet Ultima Series ZT1 50 FAB zero-turn riding mower by MTD.
Case Construction Equipment dealer Medico Industries supported veteran-led disaster response organization Team Rubicon with equipment, including a compact track loader and mini excavator, to perform flood mitigation work along a series of properties in Susquehanna County, Pa.
The initial damage occurred during severe storms that moved through the area in August 2018. Team Rubicon performed a response operation at the time to help support flood-damaged areas and recently returned with its heavy equipment team to perform work that included stream bank restoration, debris removal from properties, structure demolition and other cleanup as needed.
“Team Rubicon is a great organization, leveraging the skills and training of veterans to make a real difference in our community,” said Philip Medico, general manager, Medico Industries. “They have contributed significantly in the cleanup in Susquehanna County, and we’re proud to provide them the iron to do it.”
Ambius, creator of enhanced commercial spaces and interior landscape organization, acquired Marshall Gardens of Lake Oswego, Ore., and Glenn’s Greenery of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. The deals were finalized in August and September, respectively; terms were not disclosed.
These acquisitions expand the Ambius presence in the Pacific Northwest and Florida markets to better serve a growing customer base and further cement Ambius as a nationwide provider of interior landscapes.
Marshall Gardens was founded in 2009 by Abigail Marshall and Patrick Alexander. The company provides customized, interior plant care and holiday design to commercial customers in the Portland, Ore., area. Since 1976, Glenn’s Greenery has specialized in providing interiorscape design, installation, maintenance and short-term event services to businesses in South Florida. Robert Radler has been the owner/operator for more than 20 years. The staff of both firms will remain on board with Ambius.
In other Ambius news, the company took home 39 awards at this year’s AmericanHort’s International Plantscape Awards, in Columbus, Ohio.
AmericanHort hosts the International Plantscape Awards annually, honoring outstanding interior plantscaping across North America. Projects are entered into one of 10 categories and then judged and awarded by veteran professional interior plantscapers.
Ambius’ installations ranging from living green walls and moss walls to replica and preserved designs, major renovations and biophilic design were recognized at this year’s event. Overall interior landscaping projects included offices to atriums, healthcare facilities, universities, retail stores, hotels, restaurants, transportation and convention centers and cultural landmarks.
