Stihl Inc. recently welcomed Dr. Andrew Thomas, author of The Distribution Trap: Keeping Your Innovations from Becoming Commodities, to its Virginia Beach headquarters. Thomas took part in a discussion with Stihl President Fred Whyte on the recent release of the book, which features a chapter examining Stihl’s dealer-only distribution strategy.

Nearly 50 Stihl managers and other guests from the local community were present to listen to why Stihl chooses not to sell to big-box stores, such as The Home Depot or Lowe’s. Both men agree that manufacturers who choose to sell to so-called “megas” often face weakened product control that can hinder quality and innovation. Whyte also discussed Stihl’s stance on selling solely through independent servicing dealers and the benefits this practice has to consumers, such as the ability to educate customers on safety procedures and equipment.

Power Equipment Trade’s 2010 Dealer Survey is now online, and dealers are greatly encouraged to visit the link and participate in industry’s longest-running dealer trend database, with detailed information on dealers and dealerships dating back almost 20 years.

According to PET Managing Editor Dan Shell, “Our readers have given great effort over the years by answering our surveys, and this provides Power Equipment Trade, its dealer readers and the industry overall with critical information about the health of industry’s dealer base and future trends. It’s always interesting to go back and compare to previous surveys and see the changes in income, pay scales and computerization, just to cite a few examples. Every time we run a survey, I can’t wait to see the changes from the previous survey two years before.”

CLICK HERE to go to the Power Equipment Trade 2010 Dealer Survey. Thanks for your time.

Compared to 2008, motorcycle, ATV, and scooter sales dropped 37% this year, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council.

Specifically, ATV sales were down more than 29%, scooter sales were down 59%, and motorcycle sales were down by more than 41%.

Online registration is now open for the 2010 GIE+EXPO, which will be held in Louisville October 28-30. GIE+EXPO is sponsored by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) and Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS). It is now the 14th largest tradeshow in America, according to Trade Show Executive magazine. In addition to the website, information can be obtained by contacting Sellers Expositions at 800-558-8767, 812-949-9200 or info@gie-expo.com.

To celebrate its 30th year, Dixie Chopper is hosting a video contest, in which Dixie Chopper enthusiasts can submit a video (maximum length of one minute), which will be posted on YouTube, explaining why they love their Dixie Chopper mowers.

The prize is a Dixie Chopper Magnum mower, new for 2010. The contest began January 18 and will run through May 31, 2010. The lucky winner will be announced in June.

Ariens Co. announced today it has acquired the intellectual assets of the Kee Mower brand of products. The high-wheel walk-behind mowers are used by rural property owners, landscape contractors and municipalities to cut underbrush, remove heavy overgrowth of tall grasses or weeds, and conduct tight trimming around and under structures such as fences. The company plans to sell Kee Mowers under the Gravely brand of products available through independent power equipment dealers.

Polaris Industries recently introduced the Polaris Breeze, a low-emission, electric-powered neighborhood vehicle, designed  for short trips around the driver’s master planned community. The Breeze features an entirely electric operating system, 50-mile range of use on one charge, and MyChoice rear-seat-conversion, which allows room for either more passengers or more cargo space. With rear seat conversion for more seating, the Breeze can carry up to 4 passengers. The new EV also features a 3 HP electric mower, top speed of 20 MPH, and payload capacity of 700 lbs.

Rotary Corp., a full line supplier of power equipment service parts, recently announced the following promotions: Dave Wilder to regional vice president of Florida and Alabama sales; Milton Smith to regional vice president of east coast sales; Gene Branch to vice president of west coast sales.

“Dave Wilder, Milton Smith and Gene Branch have been a key part of our continued success. We are pleased to have them appointed to these important positions,” commented Ed Nelson, president and CEO of Rotary Corp.

Honda Power Equipment has announced a five-year warranty for its award-winning HRX lawnmower. The five-year warranty will apply to all HRX lawnmowers purchased for private, residential use and sold in the United States on or after January 1, 2010.

This new warranty replaces the three-year coverage currently offered by Honda on most of its full line of power equipment products, including the HRX series of lawnmowers.

First introduced in 2004, the Honda HRX Series pioneered the unique Versamow System that, for the first time on any mower, allows for 4-in-1 operation (mulching, bagging, discharging and leaf shredding) without tools or attachments. The system also easily enables the simultaneous distribution of clippings to both the bag and the ground.

UV Country Kawasaki in Houston, Tex. has received a $28.4 million contract from the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM) for more than 1,500 Kawasaki Teryx RUVs. Company owner Shannon Tracy had provided UVs to the military two years ago, and had handled smaller GSA and Texas state contracts in the past.

Now, the dealership is scheduled to deliver up to 1,625 units over a five-year period. The military decided on the 2009 Teryx after conducting extensive research and numerous evaluations of everything from regular utility vehicles to expensive custom fabricated equipment. Tracy says the contract is not only good news for her dealership, but also Kawasaki UV dealers and their customers. “If  it is good enough for the SOCOM environment, then it must be capable of handling whatever American hunters and outdoor enthusiasts can throw at it.”

Kawasaki’s Teryx 750 FI 4×4 RUV is powered by a fuel-injected 750cc V-twin engine,  side-by-side seating for two adults, a roll over protective structure (ROPS), front discs and a special sealed rear brake, four wheel independent suspension and a tilting cargo bed with 500 pounds of carrying capacity.