Sarlo Power Mowers, Inc. announces the celebration of their 75^th year of continuous family ownership and operation. The Sarlo family has been manufacturing their trademark lawn mowers in Fort Myers, Fla. since 1935. The Sarlo brand has established itself as the industry leader in the area of high performance, high wheel lawn mowers.

Sarlo is the oldest lawn mower manufacturer in the U.S. under single ownership and is Briggs and Stratton’s oldest continuous customer.

The Sarlo family operates their flagship retail store and manufacturing plant in Fort Myers, with additional stores in Naples and Bonita Springs. Sarlo lawn mowers are sold by dealers throughout the world.

Stihl Inc., creator and owner of the premier lumberjack sports event Stihl Timbersports Series presented by Carhartt, has selected the Oregon State Fair in Salem, Ore. as the host venue for its 25th anniversary season. The Series’ quarterfinals, semifinals, U.S. Championship and Collegiate Championship will take place during the fair’s opening weekend Friday, Aug. 27-Sunday, Aug. 29.

The Series features the world’s best lumberjacks and jills in the ultimate tests of strength, endurance, stamina, tool skill and agility. Thirty-two chopper/sawyers, six collegiate competitors, eight boom runners and eight speed climbers will converge on Oregon’s capital to chop, saw, climb, and run their way in to the record books, and celebrate the Stihl Timbersports Series tradition during its silver anniversary festivities.

Walker Manufacturing introduces the new walkermowers.com along with their “get out front ” giveaway.

The new site helps customers see the product clearly and experience the advantages of out front mowing.  The site will also help Walker dealers educate customers on the product and allow them to follow up on immediate mower demonstration requests.  The site contains company information (including history), the differences that set the Walker mower apart, an interactive tractor and product section, and a number of resources for customers and dealers.

The “get out front ” giveaway lets site surfers enter into weekday drawings for Walker collectibles (between 11 and 15 given away each day) and be eligible for a Walker mower, to be given away April 2.  Check out the new walkermowers.com to be a part of out front mowing.

Kipor, a supplier of inverter portable generators distributed by Lucky Distributing, is pleased to now offer PowerHouse generators.

The remote start generators come in two models: 2700w and 3100w. The remote will start the generator from up to 75 ft. away.

c-Systems Software Inc. has announced the acquisition of Softpower Business Solutions. The combination of c-Systems and Softpower creates the largest business-system vendor in the power equipment industry. Beginning in April, c-Systems will rebrand Connecticut-based Softpower’s programs as Softpower by c-Systems.

“For the foreseeable future, c-Systems and Softpower will continue as they have traditionally been operated,” c-Systems marketing director Joe Miller said.

A donation plan established by Walbro Engine Management to help the victims of the earthquake in Haiti has netted $27,030 for the American Red Cross, a major provider of aid to the stricken country. The total represents a combination of employee donations and a corporate matching program. For each employee’s $1.00 contribution, Walbro Engine Management added $5.00.

Tony Martin, President & CEO of Walbro, commended the generosity of Walbro employees throughout the world. “Our employees have demonstrated their concern for the victims of this tragic earthquake. We are pleased to build on their generosity at the corporate level in support of the important efforts of the American Red Cross in Haiti.”

Recent University of Northern Colorado research shows there are plenty of opportunities for dealers to promote hearing protection accessories to customers, especially professionals. Associate Professor of Audiology Deanna Meinke shared research done by audiology graduate student Thea LaBere involving noise exposure measurements of 20 urban tree service workers  operating chainsaws, chippers, stump grinders, leaf blowers, water trucks, rotochoppers, tractors, and brush and weed trimmers. It was evident that hearing conservation efforts, including hearing testing and hearing loss prevention training, are needed for these workers, according to the study. Twenty men ages 21-57 from seven employers participated in the study last summer. Their length of service ranged from one month to 28 years.The research concluded that urban tree service workers are exposed to noise levels that exceed OSHA standards and NIOSH criteria and workers are at risk for occupational noise induced hearing loss (recommend protection at 85 dBA).

Wayne Rogers, vice president of international sales for Rotary Corp., died Saturday, February 13, 2010 at age 64.  Rogers was an active member of the board of directors of the Outdoor Power Equipment Aftermarket Association (OPEAA), and was attending its annual meeting in Bermuda. He was also a member of the Savannah Export Council.

Rogers began his career at Rotary on October 15, 1969, and during his 40 years of service, was involved in many capacities including purchasing, advertising and international sales.

Maruyama U.S. recently held a successful training seminar for distributor technical service managers. Technical representatives from 10 distributorships in North America attended the meeting held at the company’s headquarters in Denton, Texas. During the 4-day meeting, the technical service managers participated in a variety of training modules including in-depth training of Maruyama’s patented low-emission certified 2-stroke engine technology, a technical overview of the new Maruyama XD mixing oil formulation, and several pump and spray rig demonstrations. The service managers also had several opportunities to experience equipment disassembly and reassembly of  commercial-grade pumps and 2-stroke engines.

This Spring, Cub Cadet and Mike Rowe, host of Discovery Channel’s Dirty Jobs, are issuing a “Get Ready to Get Dirty” Challenge, asking people to throw on a pair of work boots, grab a lawn mower and do something to support American troops.  Beginning in late February, Dirty Jobs’ viewers can learn how to get involved with Project Evergreen’s Green Care for Troops, an organization that helps thousands of volunteers provide free lawn and landscaping services to military families while their loved ones serve. Since its 2006 inception, Cub Cadet has been GCFT’s financial underwriter, helping to serve nearly 10,000 military families in just a few short years.