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INDUSTRY NEWS 10 SEPTEMBER 2016 OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT www.outdoorpowerequipment.com HOT NEWS Worldlawn announces expansion plans W orldlawn Power Equipment, Inc., a global manufacturer with its U.S. headquarters based in Beatrice, Neb., has acquired a 275,000-square-foot facility, located at 401 N. Commerce St. in Beatrice. The building was previously occupied by Husqvarna, and the purchase was finalized June 30, 2016. Worldlawn and Encore (a division of Worldlawn) both manufacture outdoor power equipment, including professional and commercial lawn mowers (riding, stand-on and walk- behind mowers), residential lawn mowers (riding mowers), and snow throwers. "I'm very pleased to see this expansion go forward," said Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts. "This is another example of how Nebraska provides great opportunities to international companies. We've worked hard to develop a relationship with World Group [parent company of Worldlawn] and are happy to see that relationship come to fruition." Courtney Dentlinger, director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, also expressed her support for the project. "Investments from companies like Worldlawn show the value of global engagement," she said. "Companies like Worldlawn add jobs and opportunities to the state economy." Worldlawn President Hardy Shao added, "We like Beatrice, and this is a great opportunity for our company to invest in the community. Nebraska has been a wonderful fit for our company. We are excited to grow our business and are grateful for the state's support." Worldlawn and Encore are currently housed in a 100,000-square-foot facility in Beatrice's Gage County Industrial Park. Company officials are analyzing how to best use the 401 N. Commerce St. facility and Gage County Industrial Park facility. The new building acquisition will serve as a means for diversification, expansion, warehousing and solidifying the company's long-term goals. Although official expansion plans for the company are still being finalized, and a timeline has not been firmly established, there will be a need for more employees. Currently, Worldlawn Power Equipment employs 25-plus people and plans to increase staffing in various departments, including management, engineering, sales and marketing. "It's great to have a local company purchase the building," said NGage Executive Director Walker Zulkoski. "Worldlawn's investment and commitment to growing here shows that we have a thriving business environment where companies are confident in achieving long-term success." Worldlawn Power Equipment, Inc. was established in California in 2004 and has been in Beatrice since 2011 when the company purchased Encore Manufacturing. OPEI shares concerns with EPA about E15 regulations, future plans T he Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), the trade association representing power equipment, engine and utility vehicle manufacturers and suppliers, recently provided comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) about the Renewable Fuel Standard Program: Standards for 2017 and Biomass-Based Diesel Volume for 2018. In a letter sent to the EPA, OPEI expressed significant concerns about the expansion of E15 in the marketplace without a solid consumer education program. "Because all gasoline-fueled outdoor power equipment is designed and warranted to operate on E10 or less fuel, OPEI and its members are gravely concerned about the risk of inadvertent misfueling by consumers," said Kris Kiser, president and CEO of OPEI. "Misfueling can damage or destroy small engines, leaving the consumer with costly repair or replacement costs. "Americans rely on their outdoor power equipment, and many count on it lasting for a decade or more. There are 250 million pieces of legacy outdoor power equipment in use in this country today, and the risk of misfueling and damage to these products is very real. "If you are going to introduce blender pumps and more E15 into the marketplace, then you also need a robust consumer education campaign, so consumers understand which fuel blends are safe for which product." The letter noted that labeling for E15 and other blended fuels is inadequate and not consistent. National polls conducted by OPEI in 2016 showed that consumers remain confused about the changing fuels marketplace. Only 19 percent of respondents said they had seen or heard any communications about ethanol in the past year. Only 31 percent of respondents knew that gasoline blends in excess of E10 are harmful to outdoor power equipment, and only 5 percent knew that gasoline blends in excess of E10 are not approved for use in small engines. Sixty percent of respondents assumed that any retail fuel is safe for any type of engine. Since 2014, OPEI has conducted its own consumer education campaign with the tagline "Look Before You Pump." More efforts like this campaign need to be undertaken, noted OPEI's letter to the EPA, so consumers are better informed to make fueling decisions. You can download information about the survey results at www.opei.org under press releases. Get more information about the "Look Before You Pump" campaign at www.LookBeforeYouPump.com and #LookB4UPump. The letter is available by request.