Landscape and Irrigation is read by decision makers throughout the landscape and irrigation markets — including contractors, landscape architects, professional grounds managers, and irrigation and water mgmt companies and reaches the entire spetrum.
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/725835
6 October 2016 Landscape and Irrigation www.landscapeirrigation.com VIEWPOINT Editor John Kmitta | jkmitta@epgmediallc.com EDITORIAL STAFF Group Publisher David Voll Associate Publisher, Editor John Kmitta (763) 383-4405; jkmitta@epgmediallc.com Products Editor Steve Noe (763) 383-4407; fax (763) 383-4499; snoe@epgmediallc.com PRODUCTION TEAM Art Director Jean Blackmer Production Manager Karen Kalinyak ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVES: EAST Chris Pelikan Senior Account Manager Phone: (763) 383-4408 cpelikan@epgmediallc.com MIDWEST Peggy Tupper Senior Account Manager Phone: (763) 383-4429 ptupper@epgmediallc.com WEST Leslie Palmer Senior Account Manager Phone: (763) 383-4460 lpalmer@epgmediallc.com DIRECT MAIL LIST SALES MeritDirect, Jim Scova, (914) 368-1012; e-mail jscova@MeritDirect.com REPRINT SERVICE Robin Cooper, e-mail rcooper@epgmediallc.com CIRCULATION For subscription inquiries and customer service questions, please call (847) 513-6025, or fax (763) 383-4497 customerservice@epgmediallc.com business hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. EST EPG Media & Specialty Information 10405 6th Ave. N., Ste. 210 Minneapolis, MN 55441 www.landscapeirrigation.com P u b l i s h e r ' s N o t i c e : W e a s s u m e n o responsibility for the validity of advertising claims in connection with items appearing in Landscape and Irrigation. Commercial product names are used for the convenience of the reader. Mention of a commercial product does not imply endorsement by EPG Media & Specialty Information, or preference over similar products not mentioned. Utility Players are Becoming Landscape All-Stars As a baseball fan, when I think of utility, I think of the scrappy utility players who can come off the bench on a regular basis and fi eld just about any position, play solid defense, hit for a decent average, and maybe ignite an occasional rally. They are the unsung heroes for a winning team. But the utility players of the landscape industry are quickly rising to the ranks of All-Star. Utility Task Vehicles (UTVs) are shifting from being bench players in equipment fl eet lineups to the forefront of our consciousness. The versatility of these workhorses has continued to expand as a wealth of attachments and accessories are steadily introduced to the market. According to the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), more than 400,000 UTVs were sold in North America in 2015, and the industry projects that sales will grow even further. On average, customers now purchase more than $1,700 worth of accessories for their UTV. "Nearly two out of three UTV buyers accessorize their units, and one in three buys the UTV with accessories pre-installed," said Kris Kiser, president and CEO of OPEI. For the fi rst time ever, GIE+EXPO 2016 will feature UTV education sessions. The inaugural UTV University will be held October 19 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky., during Dealer Day at GIE+EXPO 2016. The parent company of Landscape and Irrigation — EPG Media and Specialty Information — is presenting the UTV University sessions through its PowerSports Business and Outdoor Power Equipment brands. As of press time, Cub Cadet and Jacobsen are Premier Sponsors of UTV University, and Walbro is a Session Sponsor. Recognized powersports industry experts will conduct the classroom-based sessions. And although the UTV University sessions are geared toward powersports dealers and outdoor power equipment dealers, their inclusion in the GIE+EXPO programming is a sign indicative of the overall growth of the UTV market and the increased use of these versatile workhorses by contractors. There will be plenty of opportunities for contractors and other end users to check out the latest UTVs and accessories on the GIE+EXPO show fl oor and in the Outdoor Demo Area, as the number of UTV manufacturers exhibiting in both areas has grown in recent years. If the amount of UTV-related news from recent months is any indication, there is plenty about which to be excited. For example: ■ Cub Cadet recently expanded its lineup of utility vehicles with the launch of the Challenger 400. ■ John Deere updated its crossover utility vehicle lineup with the addition of the Gator XUV560 and XUV560 S4. ■ American LandMaster unveiled a new line of UTVs — from 2-wheel-drive models available with locking differentials, to extremely capable 4-wheel-drive vehicles. ■ Cushman introduced a new truck-inspired line of Hauler UTVs — the Hauler 1200, Hauler 1200X, Hauler PRO and the Hauler PRO-X. So, if you are considering adding a UTV to your equipment lineup, you have a lot of multi-tool options and plenty of stats to analyze. Chances are increasingly good that you will make a winning move.