Proudly serving the industry for which it was named for more than 50 years, Outdoor Power Equipment provides dealers who sell and service outdoor power equipment with valuable information to succeed in a competitive market.
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/775380
DISTRIBUTOR NEWS 32 FEBRUARY 2017 OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT www.outdoorpowerequipment.com Kohler extends distribution network for KDI diesel engines K ohler Engines announced December 13 that it has expanded the distribution network for its Kohler Direct Injection (KDI) diesel engines by formalizing partnerships with five highly experienced sales organizations: Superior Diesel, Rhinelander, Wis.; Northstar Power LLC, Ankeny, Iowa; Engines Inc., Jonesboro, Ark.; Flint Power, Albany, Ga.; and CK Power, St. Louis. All five of the new Kohler KDI diesel engine distributors bring strong marketplace recognition, as well as advanced value-add packaging capabilities to equipment manufacturers seeking premium diesel solutions. "We're pleased to extend our distribution network as part of our ongoing commitment to broadening and enhancing our relationships with leading equipment manufacturers across the country," said Kyle Brandemuhl, director of diesel engines for Kohler Engines. "Our new distributors all have proven track records and understand the unique value proposition that Kohler's KDI technology brings to manufacturers seeking powerful and compact diesel engines." Kohler's KDI diesel engine line now includes eight models, all of which meet the latest emissions standards without a bulky and inefficient diesel particulate filter (DPF). The compact engines are designed to deliver optimal power and torque for the toughest jobs while also maximizing fuel consumption and limiting emissions. GNE to serve as DeWalt distributor G reat Northern Equipment (GNE) has been chosen as a distributor of the DeWalt pro landscape line of battery- powered equipment, including backpack blowers, handheld blowers, chain saws, hedge trimmers, pole trimmers and string trimmers. Based in Rogers, Minn., GNE will serve the five-state territory of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota. "We are excited to take on the line," said GNE Sales Director Joe Prince. "It's a great match for our customer base and a respected brand." Established more than 30 years ago, GNE began distributing engines and expanded to incorporate commercial-quality power equipment lines. The GNE portfolio includes Brave, CEI, Dosko, Iron & Oak, JRCO, Maxim and Perma-Wrap. Kubota begins construction on major expansion of national distribution center K ubota Tractor Corporation recently announced that it has begun construction on an important 617,865-square-foot expansion of its National Distribution Center (NDC) on the company's existing property in Jefferson, Ga. The project is adjacent to the Kubota Industrial Equipment (KIE) facility off of I-85 North. Scheduled for completion in July 2017, the expansion's nearly $16-million investment is a direct response to Kubota's continued growth and manufacturing demands in its compact tractor, utility vehicle and turf product markets. The extended facility will triple the existing square footage to accommodate 956,161 square feet of space that will allow the company to increase warehousing efficiencies to store and process more equipment produced by nearby Kubota Manufacturing of America (KMA) and KIE, which are both primed to increase production to meet growing consumer demand. "This is an exciting time for Kubota as our continued growth has led us to several facility expansions in recent years — from our new manufacturing plant in nearby Gainesville to our new headquarters building in Grapevine, Texas," said Alex Woods, vice president, product resources, parts and divisional operations for Kubota Tractor Corporation. "We are diversifying our product lines and expanding our operational footprint here in Georgia to better respond to ongoing dealer and customer demand for multiple product lines here in the U.S." The newly expanded NDC will store and process Kubota equipment — tractors, backhoes, loaders, tires, weights, along with hay tools, utility vehicles, and turf equipment — until it's ready for distribution to dealers around the country. In January 2017, KMA in nearby Gainesville-Hall County started production at its new 502,000-square- foot plant to increase production of Kubota's RTV-Series utility vehicles. Kubota has been operating in the state of Georgia for more than 40 years, with its first operations located in Norcross. In the mid-1980s, Kubota purchased its first office building in the state at the current Kubota Tractor Corporation Southeast Division headquarters in Suwanee and has since expanded operations in both Gainesville and Jefferson. Kubota Tractor Corporation, KMA and KIE are U.S. subsidiaries of Kubota Corporation, based in Osaka, Japan. HOT NEWS