INDUSTRY NEWS
PLANET celebrates turfgrass victory
The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) marked a green in- dustry victory Nov. 17 when the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a Notice of Intent to remove the 40-percent turfgrass re- striction from the WaterSense program's landscape specifications. The same requirement was removed from the International Green Con- struction Code by a 2/3 vote of the International Code Council. In 2009, the EPA introduced the WaterSense landscape restriction,
requiring that only 40 percent of a building's landscape consist of tur- fgrass, regardless of varying regional climates or whether the site had access to sources of reusable water, such as recycled stormwater. In 2010, the requirement was proposed by the EPA as part of the Inter- national Green Construction Code that many local governments use to form their requirements for new commercial buildings, and could eventually be used for new residential buildings as well. Going for- ward, the only requirement for EPA WaterSense-labeled landscapes will be adherence to the EPA's water budget tool. "It is well documented that turfgrass produces sound environmen- tal benefits," stated Tom Delaney, director of government affairs for PLANET. "I'm glad that after a three-year effort, green industry profes- sionals and the EPA were able to come to an agreement. I'd like to thank the many groups that worked with legislators on Capitol Hill and with EPA officials to achieve this success."
Briggs & Stratton acquires Premier Products in India
Briggs & Stratton Corporation announced Nov. 2 that it acquired Premier Power Equipments and Products Private Ltd. of Tamil Nadu, India (Premier) for approximately $3 million in cash, subject to adjustments. Premier is a designer, manufacturer and marketer of
tillers, weeders, harvesters, transplanters, pumps and portable generators used primarily in agricultural applica- tions throughout India. In addition, Premier currently uses Briggs & Stratton engines on its products and distributes Briggs & Stratton engines in India. Its products are sold through a network of approximately 60 dealers in India. "The acquisition of Premier is another step forward in executing our strategy to expand in developing regions of the world in order to diversify our products and geographic portfolio of business," said Todd Teske, chairman, presi- dent and chief executive officer of Briggs & Stratton Corpo- ration. "Premier has the agricultural products and distribution that will serve as a platform for our future growth within India." Briggs & Stratton is financing the transaction from cash on hand. It expects that the acquisition will not have a material effect on earnings in fiscal 2012.
10
OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT www.outdoorpowerequipment.com
