Stens Chain Locker Storage Containers

Chain Locker storage containers from Stens are a durable, safe way to transport chainsaw chain and eliminate frustrating tangling. Lockers are available in two models: Standard that holds chains from 6 in. to 20 in. and is available in orange, black and gray, and the Pro Series model which holds chains from 6 in. to 46. and is available in orange and yellow.

Frequent saw users appreciate the stacking capabilities of the lockers and often use two lockers in different colors, to make it simple to identify chains ready to go (sharp) from those needing resharpening (dull).

VP Racing Fuels EcoGen Renewable Fuel

VP Racing Fuels, Inc. has announced that it is accelerating its renewable fuel initiative with the launch of a new, renewable fuel, EcoGen. EcoGen is a renewable, non-alcohol alternative to ethanol and butanol-based fuels found at the pump. VP Racing has engineered high-octane renewable gasoline components incorporated into gasoline to help meet the increasing demand for higher-octane, cleaner-burning fuels. VP Racing now offers EcoGen as a high-octane blendstock for alcohol-free gasoline.

EcoGen from VP offers impressive advantages, like improved fuel economy with a higher energy content than standard pump gas; up to 10% renewable content; reduced carbon emissions, and friendly on fuel system components, so no ethanol corrosion.

VP Racing’s EcoGen is perfect for small engines such as lawn equipment, all power sports vehicles, ATVs/UTVs, side-bysides, and more.

today. I can’t stress this enough.”

Tegtmeier Honored By Nebraska

The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) College of Business announced the 2023 inductees into the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame on January 12, including Will Tegtmeier, a co-founder of Exmark.

Tegtmeier, who died in 2013, has been lauded as a pioneer in the mower industry making sketches drawn in his basement into two successful businesses. He designed his first line of mowers at Kees Mfg. in the 1970s before starting Exmark Mfg. with partners in 1983 and launching a new line. In 1988, he formed a new mower company, Encore Mfg., which grew quickly. Both companies remain major drivers of Beatrice, Nebraska’s economy. Exmark is now a division of the Toro Co. Encore was sold to China-based World Lawn Power Equipment on the condition that the facility continue operating in Beatrice.

Rotary Adds Territory Managers

Rotary Corp. continues to expand its sales division with the appointment of two new territory managers, according to an announcement by Mark Smith, Chief Sales Officer.

Jeffrey Cox, a third-generation Rotary employee, has been named territory manager for dealers in South Carolina. Since joining the company 13 years ago, Cox has worked in several different departments including sales and technical services.

Alejandro Rivera, who has been involved in the industry throughout his career, will be the new territory manager for southern California. A former owner of a mower repair shop, Rivera grew up working on mowers and other lawn equipment in the San Diego area.

“We are delighted to have Jeffrey and Alejandro on our sales team. Both are very experienced and well-prepared to serve our independent dealers with outstanding service and ongoing sales support,” Smith comments. “Alejandro will be an asset in dealer recruitment as we continue to expand our footprint in southern California while Jeffrey will serve our large network of dealers throughout South Carolina.”

Briggs Moves Production To Ala.

Briggs & Stratton is moving its engine-component production to Auburn, Ala. according to a Wisconsin television station. Announcing production at its Wauwatosa, Wisc. plant has ceased, resulting in 160 layoffs. This comes after Briggs eliminated tractor and snowthrower production in Wisconsin last fall.

In 2021, Briggs announced a $9.4 million expansion at its Alabama facility, where it is one of the largest manufacturing employers in east Alabama. Along with the move for engine-components, Briggs’ air-cooled home standby generator production will move to Bluff, Mo. The decision came due to the Wauwatosa plant losing money.

Dixie Chopper Acquires Indiana Facility

Dixie Chopper has finalized its purchase of the former manufacturing facility located in Coatesville, Ind.. The original family farm where Dixie Chopper was born is now the new (old) home for the assembly of mowers.

“I can remember where we drew the frame design on the barn floor with chalk for the first production Dixie Chopper,” says Wes Evans, Business Unit Manager of Dixie Chopper. “My team and I are very excited to move back to the Coatesville facility and continue building the ‘World’s Fastest Lawn Mower’.”

Dixie Chopper currently utilizes a building on the west side of Indiana for zero-turn mowers assembly and warehouse for the parts department. The transition to the new facility, located less than

10 miles away, is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2023.

“We have absolutely outgrown the Fillmore facility,” says Lisa Tubbs, President of RhinoAg and Dixie Chopper. “In order to continue growing the Dixie Chopper business, it was imperative that we located a bigger building to facilitate this growth. The Coatesville building has such a sentimental value to the employees and we are ready to get moved in.”

NAEDA Releases 2022 Benefits Report

The North American Equipment Dealers Assn. (NAEDA) has released of its 2022 Compensation & Benefits Report. At 120+ pages, this report is the equipment industry’s most comprehensive collection of data on dealership compensation and benefits. Survey data is collected every two years from agriculture, construction and power equipment dealers across North America.

The Compensation and Benefits Survey questionnaire includes wage data relative to office or professional staff, sales, parts and service departments. The survey was designed to capture data on wages and total compensation of dealership employees, comments on the composition of commission/bonus programs and employee benefit offerings. The data collected from the survey has been broken down between the U.S. and Canada and by region within the two countries. The survey data is also broken out by sales volume.

The survey questionnaire was reviewed and evaluated by industry experts, key dealer management, human resource personnel, insurance/benefits experts and NAEDA staff.

In 2022, 720 equipment dealer ownership groups submitted data, the highest participation to date. These dealers represent 2,129 dealership locations throughout the U.S. and Canada.

“The participation in this survey has grown year after year since we expanded the scope and the depth of the survey,” says Kim Rominger, NAEDA CEO. “The breakout by dealership sales volume, in addition to both U.S. and Canadian regional numbers, provides a more localized report that brings more value to the data.”

The members who completed the survey will receive a link to download a complimentary copy of the report. Those that did not participate in the survey, may order a copy of the report on NAEDA’s website.