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: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/698730
20 July/August 2016 Landscape and Irrigation www.landscapeirrigation.com How is 2016 shaping up so far? And what is your outlook for the remainder of the year? We're going to see a lot more mini skid-steers in the landscaping industry in the coming years. A major reason is a compact utility loader's potential to ease labor issues. Reducing the physical demands of a job can increase employee happiness, helping to recruit and retain employees. — Matt Hutchinson, product manager, tree care/rental & landscape at Vermeer 2016 has started off strong. As temperatures increase, we are seeing a stronger demand for landscape and rental equipment as operators begin their spring/summer projects. Additionally, we continue to see an increase in utility infrastructure upgrades across the country; this includes utility upgrades in both commercial and residential sites where there is a need for smaller, compact equipment like the mini skid-steer. We do not foresee the market slowing down anytime soon. — Andrew Schuermann, Ditch Witch product manager, compact equipment 2016 is shaping up well. All segments are performing well, surely due to the improving economy. Some contractors are finally replacing equipment after holding off for a few years. As people begin buying homes again, and moving into larger homes, the need for residential zero-turn mowers will continue, as well as the need for professional lawn care. — Frank Nuss, marketing and product specialist, national accounts, Excel Industries Inc. (Hustler) We're really bullish on 2016. When you see things like new ZTR manufacturers entering the market, and established manufacturers executing complete product line updates like we have in the past couple of years, it portrays a general optimism for the commercial landscape industry. Our Vanguard Big Block engines continue to grow in placement on manufacturers' top-of-the-line commercial products. And the Vanguard 810, since its launch in 2013, and the Vanguard EFI models in 2014, have continued to perform well and prove out to be a great power plant for commercial ZTRs. — Jim Cross, marketing manager for Briggs & Stratton Commercial Power Although the weather has been quite wet in many areas, the 2016 spring season has been busy so far. The outlook for the rest of the year remains strong. Most of our customers report strong sales and have jobs booked out weeks, if not months, ahead. — J.R. Bowling, vice president, Rayco Mfg. Inc. It's going to be another great year for propane. More than 20,000 propane mowers were used to mow residential and commercial landscapes in 2015, so we're hopeful that number has increased between growing seasons. We extended our Propane Mower Incentive Program through April, so it'll be exciting to get numbers back from that. As far as the future, a research survey conducted by PERC at the beginning of the year showed that up to 34 percent of contractors are considering switching to propane-powered equipment. Fourteen OEMs currently offer propane mower models, increasing the likelihood that even if contractors aren't familiar with propane outside of the grill in their own back yard, they're familiar with the brands that manufacture propane mowers. — Jeremy Wishart, deputy director of business development for the Propane Education & Research Council We spent the past two years working with landscape contractors, designing, testing, and proving every component of the PRO Z 100. The initial launch has been very successful and well received by the OPE industry. We anticipate growth in this professional category as we expand the commercial product offerings in 2017. — Allen Baird, product marketing manager (professional products), Cub Cadet We absolutely see the rental trend continuing, and we have more efforts underway to continue to incorporate what we have learned into all our products. — Gregg Warfel, division sales manager, compact, Terex Construction Americas We are seeing a somewhat late entry of the summer season in the Northeast and upper Midwest parts of the country thus far. However, our outlook for the industry is cautiously optimistic. — William Walton, assistant vice president of Honda Power Equipment operations PHOTO COURTESY OF CUB CADET