Arctic Cat Inc. has announced a deal with GE Capital, Commercial Distribution Finance for GE, to provide floorplan financing for Arctic Cat’s U.S. dealers. The new multi-year financing program replaces Arctic Cat’s current financing agreement with Textron Financial Corp., which had previously announced its intent to exit the dealer floorplan business. The new financing program is expected to begin in December.

“Arctic Cat and GE Capital share a commitment to meet the financial needs of our ATV and snowmobile dealers,” said Christopher Twomey, Arctic Cat’s chairman and CEO, in a press release. “We are excited and pleased with our new partnership and expect it to continue to provide innovative financing programs and superior service.”

Venture Products, Inc. has been selected, for the second year in a row, as a Cascade Capital Corporation Business Growth Award honoree for 2009.

The Business Growth Awards will be presented by Cascade Capital Corp., an economic development finance company that provides SBA 504 funding throughout Ohio, and sponsored by Smart Business magazine. The awards honor businesses located in Summit, Medina, Portage, Wayne, Ashland and Holmes counties that have increased sales over the previous five years. (2004-2008)

Cascade Capital recognized all Growth Award honorees October 8, 2009 at the Hilton Hotel in Fairlawn, Ohio.

Maruyama U.S. Inc., recently completed its 2009 Distributor Kick-Off Meeting at the world famous Gaylord Texas resort in Dallas, Tex. Eighteen principals representing eleven distributorships in North America attended the two day event. A highlight of the meeting was the introduction of the Maruyama 2010 Sales Program and several creative incentive plans designed to help grow the business and market share.

Ariens Co. announced today it has acquired the assets of debris maintenance equipment manufacturer, Parker Co., Inc. of Phoenix, Ariz. Ariens will continue to sell Parker products through two-step distribution channels in the power equipment market. The products will also be made available as brands sold directly to the independent dealer channel for the fall 2010 clean-up season.

Ariens will produce the Parker products at its manufacturing facility in Auburn, Neb. The Parker line of products, which serve both the consumer and commercial markets, includes Vac-35 Litter Vacuums, all purpose vacuums, ground pack blowers, turf sweepers and lawn sweepers, portable truck loaders, Hurricane Plus Blowers and Thatch-O-Matic Power Rakes.

The company expects to make parts available to distributors in 30 to 60 days. Whole goods availability is expected by December.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said he is pushing the Environmental Protection Agency to raise the amount of ethanol allowed in gasoline as the deadline for a decision nears.

Science indicates that a higher “blend wall” is safe for automobile engines, Vilsack said recently in an interview at a conference on global hunger in Des Moines, Iowa. Increasing production of ethanol, made from corn in the U.S., would also meet national goals of energy independence and aid the industry as it attempts to expand. “We will continue to publicly advocate an increase, and privately advocate,” Vilsack said. “Our hope is they understand the significance of this decision as it relates to the future of the industry.”

Polaris Industries has received a $2.4 million contract to provide off-road vehicles for the U.S. Army National Guard, which will use Polaris Ranger 800 Crew Side-by-Side vehicles for missions abroad and disaster relief at home. Polaris won the contract in an open competition conducted by the National Guard Bureau.

“This is a big win for Polaris and our defense business,” said Mark McCormick, managing director of Polaris Defense. “As an American company, we are committed to providing quality vehicles to the U.S. military and this contract is a great example of our commitment to that goal.” He added that the National Guard’s need for disaster response and homeland protection fits well with the Polaris line of vehicles. “Our all wheel drive, multi-passenger, off-road vehicles provide a cost-effective capability well-suited for the demands of the National Guard,” he noted.

The 2010 Ranger has an adjustable front suspension, anti-kickback steering and high-payload towing.

Jason Emmons, a professional chain saw carver from Branchville, IN, walked away with first place in the 5th Annual ECHO Chain Saw Carving Championship held October 2-4 during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. After 22 hours of stiff competition between four carvers, Emmons was awarded $5,000, the prestigious ECHO Cup and a new ECHO CS 400 chain saw for his piece, “Spirit of Southwest.”

The difficult decision was made by five judges who studied the intricate details of the statues up close before naming the winner. Sculpture entries capturing the theme “The Great American Southwest” featured realistic-looking slices of everyday life in the region, complete with feathers and fur, all made from wooden logs by chain saws in the hands of the skilled artists.

View video coverage of the full event and the finished pieces on YouTube.

Blount International recently announced a CEO succession plan for the company, naming Joshua Collins the new President, Chief Operating Officer and CEO designate pending the January retirement of Blount CEO and longtime Oregon Cutting Systems employee Jim Osterman, who will remain Blount International’s Chairman until the company’s annual meeting in May 2010. He’ll act as a consultant to the company during his retirement.

Collins has served on the Blount Industries board the past five years and was an executive with former Blount majority shareholder Lehman Bros. He is currently a partner in the private equity firm Collins Wilmott & Co. LLC.

Involved with the company for 50 years, Osterman joined Oregon as an inventory planner in 1959 when it was part of Omark Industries. Over the next five decades, Osterman excelled in many roles, holding positions such as Director of European Operations and Senior Vice president of Marketing, Manufacturing and Engineering. When Blount International purchased Omark Industries in 1985, Osterman was named President of its Oregon Cutting Systems Div. He became President and CEO of Blount International in August 2002, and Chairman and CEO in April 2005.

When Osterman joined the company annual sales were less than $10 million. Today, sales top $500 million a year, and the company employs more than 3,000 around the world. It’s estimated the Oregon saw bars and chain have more than 60% worldwide market share and two-thirds of sales are into international markets.

Power Equipment Trade has announced the finalists in the fourth-annual PET Dealers Choice Awards. Dealers began voting on October 1 for their favorite products on display at this year’s GIE+EXPO. There are five product categories: attachments/accessories, business services, hand-held, power sports, and wheeled. Dealers can vote on-line now and also at the show, at Power Equipment Trade Booth #9043. Winners will be announced at 11 a.m. on center stage at the New Products Arena at GIE+EXPO, following the Trucks of Industry Giveaway winner announcement. Dealers VOTE here.

The finalists are:

Attachments/Accessories

• Cozy Cab Cooling Fan Kit – Booth #9146
• Fuel Chief Portable Fuel Storage & Handling – Booth #10192
• OptiMate Pro-S Battery Charger from TecMate – Booth #3215
• Slope Indicator Module from Delta Systems, Inc. – Booth #2170
• Sno-Way Megablade Revolution – Booth #7194

Business Services

• ARI Network Services Footsteps Lead Management Software – Booth #1104
• c-Systems Software “Customer Connect” Software – Booth #5179
• Paulson Computer Systems InvenTrakk Business Management System – Booth #775
• QXpress Scheduling Software – Booth #4045

Hand-held

• Husqvarna 576XP AutoTune Chain Saw – Booth #9094
• Kawasaki “Prosumer” Trimmer – Booth #1064
• Stihl MS 230 C-BE Duro Chain Saw – Booth #5074
• Tanaka TCG25EUS 4-stroke Trimmer – Booth #1084
• WORX Electric Trimmer/Edger – Booth #10066

Power Sports

• George Mills and Son ATV Parts – Booth #4176
• Gravely Treker UV – Booth #7120
• Xtreme Pro Hauler – Booth #9031

Wheeled

• Cub Cadet Commercial Tank S D – Booth #5116
• Dixie Chopper Xcaliber Eco-Eagle CNG Mower – Booth #7214
• Ferris Evolution Mower – Booth #5054
• Hustler Commercial Z-Rider Mower – Booth #5068
• Husqvarna PZ Mower Series – Booth #9094

Read more for detailed product descriptions. . .