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Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/775380
3) What was the OPE industry's biggest story in 2016, and what do you predict it will be in 2017? BW: The biggest 2016 story for the OPE industry is the election of Donald Trump. We think the biggest story for 2017 will be the positive changes that come with the new federal govern- ment leadership. 4) What will be the OPE industry's hottest trends in 2017? BW: Continuing industry consolidation by mergers and acqui- sitions among manufacturers, distributors and dealers. 5) What is your overall outlook for the OPE industry in 2017? BW: We think the industry will do well in 2017, and while there may not be a boom in the business, a good amount of growth should occur. ERIK SIDES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR EQUIPMENT & ENGINE TRAINING COUNCIL (EETC) (YORK, S.C.) 1) What is new with your company and/or any OPE industry associations that you represent? Erik Sides (ES): EETC has had tremendous growth and support from the industry; we were able to add staff to help grow our education initiatives, and we have started producing short, tech training videos. We plan to launch e-learning training programs in 2017 that will enable students and technicians to learn and improve their technical skills. 18 FEBRUARY 2017 OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT www.outdoorpowerequipment.com FEATURE STORY | Industry Forecasts BOB WALKER PRESIDENT WALKER MFG. CO. (FORT COLLINS, COLO.) 1) What is new with your company and/or any OPE industry associations that you represent? Bob Walker (BW): We are introducing two new non-collection tractor models for 2017, the H38i and H24d. These are compact tractors with powerful gas (38-hp.) or diesel (24-hp.) engines and coupled with our 64-inch rear-discharge deck, they perform in high-production mowing applications. Our sales programs provide incentives for on-the-property product demonstrations, and our factory sales training for dealer sales representatives will continue after training 529 representatives over the last four years. Marketing is offering a dealer showroom enhancement program that was introduced in 2016 and will be expanded in 2017, claiming "Walker space" in dealerships. 2) How will the election of Republican Donald Trump as president, along with Republicans maintaining control of Congress in both the House and Senate, impact the OPE industry? BW: In a word, we believe much-needed "change" will come, and that will be positive changes for the OPE industry. Positive changes expected are repealing/replacing Obamacare, reducing regulations/reporting, and reducing taxes. We believe President Trump's business experience will create a pro-business climate in the country that will greatly increase investment in business and expanded opportunities for U.S. businesses and their employees. EXPERT PROGNOSTICATION BEYOND THE INAUGURATION PHOTO @ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/CARTERDAYNE INDUSTRY FORECASTS Following is the second of a two-part series: Outdoor Power Equipment (OPE) recently invited several of the OPE industry's most well-respected leaders to share their thoughts about the state of the industry heading into 2017. Specifically, we asked them the following questions: 1. What is new with your company and/or any OPE industry associations that you represent? 2. How will the election of Republican Donald Trump as president, along with Republicans maintaining control of Congress in both the House and Senate, impact the OPE industry? 3. What was the OPE industry's biggest story in 2016, and what do you predict it will be in 2017? 4. What will be the OPE industry's hottest trends in 2017? 5. What is your overall outlook for the OPE industry in 2017? OPE received the following written responses, in order, Dec. 15-22, 2016: