Vote On-Line, Vote and Win $100!

This year’s Power Equipment Trade Dealers Choice Awards feature on-line voting for the first time, with the “polls” opening on October 1. Visit poweret.com or poweretblog.com, click on the “Vote for Dealers Choice Awards” button and let the world know your favorite dealer products going on display at GIE+EXPO 2009 in Louisville, Ky. On October 29-31. Those who vote on-line and during GIE+EXPO are automatically entered in a free cash drawing of $100 for a lucky on-line voter, and $100 for an on-site voter at GIE+EXPO.

Briggs Gets ‘In Tune’ with Customers for Better Dealer Relationships

Briggs & Stratton’s upcoming national oil-recycling program turns a problem into a dealer opportunity that will bring customers through their doors again and again. Watch for more details on the launch of this first in the industry national program.

“Our goal is to make a tune-up so convenient and easy from start to finish that everyone does it once a year,” says Mike Barnett, Service Marketing Manager at Briggs & Stratton. “We want dealers to be a part of this movement. Coupled with our oil-recycling program, Tune-Up Kits will give more customers more reasons to walk through dealers’ doors more often. At the same time, everybody is doing something good for the environment.” For more info, visit briggsandstratton.com

From Concept to Completion: Top Dealers Partner with Husqvarna to Build Businesses

When Jim Cardinale came to Husqvarna seeking advice on growing his premium lawn and garden power equipment business, he hoped this long-time manufacturing partner would offer assistance with his growing pains. What he didn’t realize was the partnership approach—from concept to completion—and the commitment that Husqvarna was willing to make for his 18 year business.

For Georgetown Small Engines in Georgetown, SC, business was good and the time was right to add horsepower to this reputable dealership. A lack of showroom and service shop floor space led to the direction of a new location—a 15,000 sq. ft. site with the opportunity to design a showroom that offered customers a premium experience to match the product mix.

Honda Introduces V-Twin Series Engines

The Honda V-Twin Engine Series is the most powerful ever offered by Honda and brings new levels of value, fuel efficiency, emissions performance, versatility and quiet operation to the marketplace.

Featuring six models, the V-Twin engine line offers customers more power, versatility and greater fuel economy in a more compact package. The new GX630, GX660, GX690, GXV630, GXV660 and GXV690 engines are available in both horizontal and vertical shaft configurations for a greater range of utility and cover a wide range of demanding commercial, rental and turf applications.

Kawasaki Adds New 4-Stroke Engine Series To Lineup

Kawasaki is introducing three new 4-stroke V-twin engines in 2009. These new engines deliver 22 to 26 HP and are designed specifically to provide efficient power plants for residential-size riding mowers, lawn tractors and other moderate-use equipment applications.

For example, the new FR651V delivers up to 22 HP at 3600 rpm and develops a maximum torque of 40 ft-lb. at 2200 rpm. The engine incorporates Kawasaki’s exclusive v-valve technology that delivers more power output with fewer emissions and better fuel efficiency.

Rotary Power Equipment Parts: A ‘Cut Above’ for Quality, Value, Service

Rotary Corp. is making a mark on the power equipment industry by providing quality parts, competitive pricing, on-time delivery and ongoing sales support. What started over 50 years ago in J.D. Harvey’s garage in southeast Georgia has grown to encompass seven buildings, covering nearly one-half million square feet in six locations.

Today, Rotary’s 450 employees work with pride to provide the highest quality products available, backed with superior customer service. Rotary now distributes parts to thousands of customers in all 50 states and 68 countries throughout Europe, Asia, South America, Canada, Australia and Africa.

Snapper Pro Introduces New Models

Offer your customers unbeatable value with exciting new models from Snapper Pro. Your customers rely on your expertise and expect to find premium products on your showroom floor. They are also looking for great value in the products you offer. That’s why we think you should look at bringing Snapper Pro into your dealership. These new models have the power and performance your customers need at a price that’s easy to afford… and higher profit margins for you!

Stens Accessories

High performance and accessories modifications are an emerging trend in the lawn and garden equipment industry. Many enthusiastic dealers and consumers are investing more time and money constructing the most lavish and extreme mowers their imaginations can create. From high performance engines and mufflers to extreme paint jobs and chrome fittings, these modified mowers have it all. However, it’s important to remember it’s not just about the bling. Whether it’s hub caps, a special tachometer, muffler, tires or what have you, the options are limitless. Accessories are a great way to enhance creative expression and are available in a variety of materials and finishes to suit any specific look. After all, what would a high performing and accessorized mower be without accessories, comfort and products to maintain its shine?

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Supplier Swap-Outs Cause Trouble For Dealers by Dale Stotts

Here it is September 2009 and we’ve seen another year of change, with lawn and garden industry companies closing their doors or merging into mega operations. In both instances the bottom line is financial—suppliers not making enough profit to keep their doors open. In many cases dealers who have invested years in promoting, selling and servicing these products to their customer base find themselves with new supplier that has a much different sales and marketing plan than before.

When a new company takes over dealer relationships from one that was bought out or merged, one of the first orders of business is to start reconfiguring and cancelling existing distributorships, which severs relationships with dealers that in many cases have been in place for decades. In addition to working with new suppliers, dealers many times are told they are no longer exclusive handlers of a product they may have sold for years but are now part of a larger picture.

Don’t Delay Receivables: Ask For Payment Promptly by John Walker

Now is certainly not the time for equipment dealers to be timid. I just received an email from a dealer who said his business appeared to be picking up, and he sold a great deal of equipment last month. The bad news was that his accounts receivables were in horrible shape!

Yet whose fault is this? It is basic common sense. If customers are not paying their bills, why should we expend the effort trying to sell them or add to the problem by keeping their credit lines open? The problem is a compoundable one. You have customers whose customers are not paying them, so they hold up paying you.

Deep Thoughts—and a Laugh

Blinded by mass layoffs and the financial follies of Fortune 500 companies, we have overlooked a smaller but more important transformation: the increasing importance of small businesses in our economic recovery. After all, small businesses employ more than half of our private sector workforce. And history, as well as the Small Business Administration, readily reminds us that the ability of small businesses to create jobs is a key factor in any resurgent prosperity.

For every small business failure, dozens more are actually thriving despite the economic panic. What are these small businesses doing to outperform the economy? Consider the following strategic approaches:

Finding Change You Wanted? by Dan Shell

September brings a change of season, and many dealers are more than happy to put the ’09 summer selling season behind them. While dealers in the Eastern U.S. have remained fairly busy thanks to plentiful rainfall, whole good sales have come hard, and many service departments aren’t working as many days out as usual.

The economic slowdown has worked its way through all layers of the lawn and garden power equipment market, starting with the drastic reduction in new housing starts that drive a significant portion of new equipment sales and working its way through the pro landscaper ranks, where many companies are choosing not to upgrade to new machines this year but instead going with older equipment. Basically, everyone from small- to large-yard homeowners and all levels of commercial operators have been thinking twice before buying new this year.

Latest Recreation Products for Dealers

Some towns in Arizona, Idaho, Nevada and Utah (and hopefully others to follow) now allow UTVs on public roads. However, UTVs must meet certain requirements to be street legal, including licensing. UTV Tech has designed license plate brackets/differential covers for UTVs. The license plate bracket doubles as protection for the differential gearbox. Damaging a gearbox is as easy as backing into a trailer, log or boulder, and replacement costs can run in the $800, plus labor, range.

Even if you aren’t going to license your UTV, you will want this new product as protection for your gearbox. The license plate bracket/differential cover also provides reinforcement and stiffing of the rear frame.

Supplier Sales, Distribution and Program News

Recently, Maruyama’s Chris Martin (Regional Sales Manager) and Jay Larsen (Technical Sales Support Manager) conducted a two-day training meeting for employees at Smiths South-Central Sales Co. in Springhill, La. In attendance for SSC was each of the six territory sales managers (representing Maruyama in the states Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas), the technical services manager, and principals Billy and Robert Smith.

Although ultimately successful, the SSC meeting began inauspiciously when, in the early morning hours of the first meeting day, thunderstorms and heavy rains inundated Springhill with almost eight inches of rain in less than two hours. The SSC office and warehouse flooded, but everyone worked together to ensure no equipment was damaged.

Drilling For Dollars: Sharpener Saves Bit Costs by Ken Boness

There are two classifications of tools: those that are durable and expected to last for years and their counterparts, “consumable maintenance hardware,” or those tools that wear out even when utilized properly. Examples are grinding wheels and drill bits. Bench and saw chain grinding wheels can be reshaped as needed. Others, such as wheels for angle grinders, are simply discarded when no longer usable. Drill bits shouldn’t be.

In your world and mine, drill bits are most frequently used to install holes in metal. Getting the job done and doing it accurately and efficiently requires properly sharpened and shaped drill bits.