Kubota Corp.’s affiliated companies in the U.S. and Canada, including Kubota Tractor Corporation (KTC), Kubota Credit Corp. (KCC), Kubota Manufacturing of America (KMA), Kubota Industrial Equipment (KIE), Kubota Engine America Corp. (KEA) and Kubota Canada, Ltd., have donated $50,000 in equipment in-kind for ongoing relief efforts in Haiti. Kubota has provided generators and other electronic and first aid supplies through the California-based Operation USA.

In addition, Kubota Corpo. of Osaka, Japan, has already made a contribution of $110,000 to the Japanese Red Cross Society for earthquake relief assistance.  The combined Kubota Corp. worldwide donation also represents contributions from affiliated companies in Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Canadian Pro Supply is offering an early buy program with deferred payment plans. In addition, orders more than $1000 will automatically receive case pricing regardless of quantity.  The program ends February 25, 2010.

Canadian Pro Supply is an online wholesaler of power equipment and accessories, carrying full lines of  bush cutters, lawn mower parts and accessories, trimmer line, chain saw accessories and protective wear,  grinding wheels and stones, spark plugs, gloves and protective glasses.

Maruyama U.S. Inc. recently co-sponsored a dealer incentive trip to the Paradisus Playa Conchal Resort on Costa Rica’s North Pacific Riviera. California distributor Tru-Power Inc. organized the event for their Maruyama dealer base located in southern California, Arizona, and Nevada.

According to Jack Ball, Sales Manager for Tru-Power, “On behalf of the participating dealers we sincerely thank Maruyama for co-sponsoring this incredible trip. During our farewell banquet, many dealers came up to me and asked how many Maruyama products they need to buy to qualify for the next incentive trip. ‘We want to go again’, they all said.”

The 57 participants were presented with a host of activities, such as horseback riding, golf on the Robert Trent Jones championship course, snorkeling, swimming, sailing, sports fishing, canopy zip line tours, and jungle river cruise.

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. »» Read More

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. …continue reading

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.