Proudly serving the industry for which it was named for more than 50 years, Outdoor Power Equipment provides dealers who sell and service outdoor power equipment with valuable information to succeed in a competitive market.
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/433385
upfront 6 DECEMBER 2014 OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT www.outdoorpowerequipment.com EPG Media/Specialty Information Media 3300 Fernbrook Lane N, Suite 200 Plymouth, MN 55447 OPE Staff Group Publisher David Voll Associate Publisher John Kmitta Editor Steve Noe Art Director Brian Snook Senior Production Manager Karen Kalinyak DirEct Mail liSt SalES MeritDirect, Jim Scova, (914) 368-1012; e-mail jscova@MeritDirect.com rEPrint SErvicE Joanne Juda, Sr. VP Market Development (630) 399-9864; email jjuda@specialtyim.com EDitOrial aDviSOry BOarD Former Executive Director, EETC (retired) Jim Roche Senior Advisor, Servantage Dixie Sales Jim Starmer Pres., Plano Power Equipment and Whipper Clipper Glen Whitt Director of Sales and Marketing, Central Power Distributors, Inc. John D. Hedges circulatiOn For subscription inquiries and customer service questions, please call (847) 763-9565 or fax (847) 763-9569 business hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. EST Publisher's Notice: We assume no responsibility for the validity of advertising claims in connection with items appearing in Outdoor Power Equipment. Commercial product names are used for the convenience of the reader. Mention of a commer- cial product does not imply endorsement by Outdoor Power Equipment or Specialty Information Media, or preference over similar products not mentioned. EDitOrial OfficES EPG Media/Specialty Information Media 3300 Fernbrook Lane N, Suite 200 Plymouth, MN 55447 accOunt rEPrESEntativES: EaSt Chris Pelikan Senior Account Manager Phone: (954) 964-8676 cpelikan@epgmediallc.com MiDWESt Peggy Tupper Senior Account Manager Phone: (763) 383-4429 ptupper@epgmediallc.com WESt Leslie Palmer Senior Account Manager Phone: (248) 731-7596 lpalmer@specialtyim.com Many exhibitors made significant announcements at the 2014 Green Industry & Equipment Expo (GIE+EXPO), which was held Oct. 22-24 at Louisville's Kentucky Exposition Center. Following is a rundown of some of those exhibitors making headlines at the show with bonus GIE+EXPO coverage at outdoorpowerequipment.com: Altoz enters market's largest segment with debut of XE model Altoz, a Greenbush, Minn.-based manufacturer of high-performance commercial zero-turn (ZTR) mowers, unveiled its latest addition to its product line with the launch of the all- new XE series of ZTRs. GIE+EXPO attendees were the first to see the new model line, which maintains much of the same award-winning characteristics of the XC Z model, recently recognized in Landscape and Irrigation magazine's "Twenty for 2014" New Product awards. The XE has been specifically designed for discerning, multi-acre homeowners and smaller commercial operations. Using the same engineering principles and attention to detail found in the commercial Altoz mowers, the XE model line delivers the precision cut, quality manufacturing, durability and comfort that have become synonymous with the Altoz brand. Three unique models — XE 480, XE 540 and XE 610 — make up the XE line, each being powered by a Briggs & Stratton Commercial Turf engine with electronic fuel injection (EFI). Durable Hydro-Gear 3200 commercial transmissions are featured in all three models, which are available in 48-, 54- and 61-inch cutting deck widths. Large 22-inch rear tires and an optional suspension seat combine for a comfortable ride. "As we commemorate the launch of our XC and XP model lines here at GIE just one year ago, we are proud to extend our product line with the debut of the XE models," said Dennis Brazier, Altoz Chief Executive Officer. "The same DNA from our top-of-the-line commercial ZTRs has been carried over to the new XE line to ensure the highest-quality and most durable ZTR possible. All while being offered at a competitive price point." A complete line of accessories for the XE models will be coming soon. Also making its debut at the show were two new Altoz XC model ZTRs — XC 540 Si and XC 610 Si — which are now powered by Briggs & Stratton's Vanguard 810-cc EFI engines. The 28-hp. engine features a closed- loop fuel injection system that results in fuel economy improvements of up to 25 percent over carbureted engines. The increased engine efficiency and high-performance characteristics of the XC models raise the bar yet again for commercial-grade ZTRs. For more information, see page 25 and visit Altoz.com. Ariens Company unveils Gravely Atlas JSV The Ariens Company rolled out several new products, but the one that grabbed the Editor Steve noe | snoe@specialtyim.com GIE+EXpo 2014 SHoW rECAp (pArt II) Last in a two-part series: Continued on page 16