Companies in the News: Awards, new partnerships and programs from Takeuchi, LMN and more
Landscape Management Network (LMN) was named a 2022 Best Workplace for Women.
To be recognized as a Best Workplace for Women, companies in the Great Place to Work survey must have a minimum of 15 female employees, and at least 90 percent of qualifying employees agree that regardless of gender, people are treated fairly at the company.
“We’ve always believed and strongly encouraged diversity across LMN,” said Janna Bradley, co-founder and COO at LMN. “Half the members of our executive leadership team are women, and throughout the company, you’ll find female leaders thriving, leading teams and helping customers. Today’s accolade reinforces what we live every day.”
Takeuchi hands out two awards and announces new manufacturing facility
Members of Luby Equipment were honored as Takeuchi’s North American Dealer of the Year. (Photo: Takeuchi)
Takeuchi named Luby Equipment as its 2021 North American Dealer of the Year. Luby provides Takeuchi equipment sales, service, parts and rentals at six locations throughout Illinois and Missouri.
“Luby Equipment is a family company that places a very strong emphasis on customer satisfaction,” said Shay Klusmeyer, division sales manager for Takeuchi-US. “Since they began representing the full Takeuchi line of compact equipment, they’ve worked hard to help customers discover the positive difference that our machines can have on their productivity.”
“We’re honored to receive this award from Takeuchi,” said Steve Luby, president of Luby Equipment. “It’s truly a credit to our sales team and our entire staff who worked hard to achieve this prestigious award. The equipment industry is extremely competitive, and the support we get from Shay and the entire team at Takeuchi was essential to achieving our goals.”
Bill Smith (left) was honored as Takeuchi’s top-performing dealer salesperson in North America. Smith has won the award five years in a row (Photo: Takeuchi)
Takeuchi also recognized Bill Smith of Cobb County Tractor in Marietta, GA as its top-performing dealer salesperson in North America.
“Receiving Takeuchi’s Top Dealer Salesperson award for the fifth time is such an honor,” said Smith. “I enjoy what I do for a living, and that’s really what inspires me day after day. Helping people get their jobs done faster and easier is my passion.”
In other news from Takeuchi, the company will open its first North American manufacturing facility in Moore, S.C. The new Takeuchi facility will produce compact track loaders and is expected to employ around 100 people when fully operational. The facility will allow Takeuchi to reduce compact track loader production lead time for its North American customers and better meet market needs.
Compact track loader production at the Spartanburg County, S.C. facility is expected to begin at the new facility by the end of 2022, and Takeuchi plans to start hiring for all positions in March 2022.
Neighborly announces expansion
Neighborly, the parent company of The Ground Guys, announced ahead of the International Franchise Association’s annual conference in San Diego the expansion of the company’s global footprint to 5,000 franchises representing 29 total brands across nine countries.
“We have ambitious plans to capitalize on this upward momentum and look forward to our next chapter of growth and innovation with KKR’s support and global expertise,” said Mike Bidwell, CEO of Neighborly. “Last year was significant for Neighborly as we validated our business-building strategy and differentiated ourselves as the partner of choice for our franchise owners and 10 million customers worldwide.”
Arborjet | Ecologel scholarship program accepting applications
Arborjet | Ecologel announced that the 2022 Arborjet Taking Root Scholarship Program will award scholarships to graduating high school seniors who desire to pursue a career in arboriculture or plant health care, with a passion for studying the science and technology to advance the industry.
In its ninth consecutive year, the program will award eligible applicants up to $10,000. Ideal candidates should demonstrate prior community engagement and a curiosity to explore plant health care needs.
Applicants must be graduating U.S. high school seniors planning to major in forestry or a related major for the entire 2022-2023 academic year at an accredited two or four-year college or university. Interested students and educators can find out more about the scholarship at Arborjet.com. The application will officially open to students on March 8, and the deadline is May 9.
Titan’s ‘Titan University Summit’ a success
Titan International completed another year of its Titan University Summit, an exclusive sales training program for tire dealers.
The event — held Jan. 25-27 and Feb. 1-3 — had strong dealer engagement and allowed attendees to build their own customized learning experiences. Over 2,500 student seats were filled from various countries, including the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Argentina and Brazil.
The all-virtual format featured classes on product features, effective selling strategies and competitive product positioning and targeted sessions by segment for Ag, Construction and Forestry. Keynote speakers included tire compounding and chemistry specialists and industry experts from Stellar Industries, Fuller Brothers and AME sharing safety tips, important tools of the trade and tire maintenance best practices.
Kubota launches grant program
Kubota Tractor Corp. celebrated a milestone anniversary by giving back by launching its second annual Kubota Hometown Proud grant program, a community grant program for cities, counties and nonprofit organizations.
To thank the communities and dealers who have played a vital role in 50 years of the company’s success, Kubota is expanding this year’s grant program fivefold to award five $100,000 grants, one in each of the company’s operating regions to refresh or revitalize five local projects. Each of the five winning projects will be put to a public vote in July for a chance to receive the Kubota Community Choice Award and an additional $100,000 grant.
The program is now accepting applications at KubotaHometownProud.com through April 15. All municipalities and nonprofit organizations are invited to enter a community project – from parks and playgrounds to rodeo arenas or community gardens and more.
After the application period closes on Friday, April 15, all project entries will be reviewed, and Kubota will select five winners, one from each region, to receive a $100,000 grant. In July, the public can vote for one of the top five winning projects. The community project with the highest number of votes will be presented with the Kubota Community Choice Award and will receive an additional $100,000 grant this August.
Every voter that casts a vote will be automatically entered into a sweepstakes for a chance to win a Kubota residential Z200 Series zero-turn mower or BX Series sub-compact tractor.
ManageMowed launches new giveback campaign
ManageMowed has announced the launch of a new giveback campaign entitled, “Rooting for Local Business”, which aims to help local business owners and nonprofit organizations create curb appeal.
In timing with National Mom and Pop Ownership Day on March 29, the campaign will provide three winners nationwide with up to $1,000 in pro bono landscaping services.
“We’re excited to launch “Rooting for Local Business” this March, a crucial time to properly clean up commercial properties before the spring growing season,” said Peter Roberts, co-founder of ManageMowed. “Many businesses and nonprofits have been unable to prioritize the outside of their properties with all of the challenges they have faced over the past two years. Through this campaign, the ManageMowed team will be able to help participants make a lasting first impression on both new and existing customers.”
“Rooting for Local Business” will launch on March 1 and submissions will close on March 29. Local businesses and nonprofits who wish to enter should submit an entry form on the ManageMowed website.
To be considered for the winning prize, entrants must provide a brief description of why their property is in need of a cleanup that will either preserve its existing curb appeal or enhance its safety and security. Three winners will be chosen at random from across all participating markets.
Tuflex and Graham Spray Equipment announce a new partnership
Tuflex has announced it has joined forces with Graham Spray Equipment. The move came after Tom Sayward, the owner and previous president of Tuflex retired.
Sayward’s daughter, Erika Michajlyszyn, and other Tuflex employees have joined Graham in Douglasville, Ga.
“I am very proud we were able to work in concert with Graham. It is a perfect fit to serve our green industry,” said Sayward. “Graham and Tuflex have a long history of success and a loyal customer base, making them a perfect fit.”
