APRIL 2020

COVER STORY – It Should Be The Industry’s Biggest Time Of…But Will It Be? –

Across the country, the lawn and garden industry and power equipment dealers are adapting to drastically different operating conditions in a spring season unlike any other as the coronavirus pandemic works its way throughout North America. Plans have changed, and different states and regions have different restrictions on business operations.

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It Should Be The Industry’s Biggest Time Of…But Will It Be?

Across the country, the lawn and garden industry and power equipment dealers are adapting to drastically different operating conditions in a spring season unlike any other as the coronavirus pandemic works its way throughout North America. Plans have changed, and different states and regions have different restrictions on business operations.

In most of the country, power equipment dealerships remain open as part of a Department of Homeland Security guideline (with discretion left up to states and localities) that lawn and garden equipment suppliers and dealerships are part of the country’s “critical and essential” agricultural infrastructure.

Article by Dan Shell, Senior Editor, and Patrick Dunning, Associate Editor, Power Equipment Trade

Latest News

This Old House’s Kevin O’Connor Will Deliver Keynote for Equip Attendees

Renowned This Old House host and home improvement expert, Kevin O’Connor, will deliver the keynote address, sponsored by Kress, at Equip focusing on energizing landscapers, contractors, dealers, and manufacturers and helping them identify ways to build their business. The trade show, which drew over 27,000 people last year from all 50 states and 46 countries, will be held October 15-18 at the Kentucky Exposition Center (KEC).

Yakta Unveils Full Production Line

Yakta, building upon 35 years of manufacturing excellence through its sister company Arrowquip, transfers a customer-focused approach to the zero-turn mower industry and has announced full-scale production of its range of zero-turn mowers. Fresh off the success of last year’s Equip Expo prototype display, Yakta’s production lineup, including the YXR 710, YXR 610 and YXR 410, with the YXR 910 soon to follow, boast industry-shattering durability, from their strong I-beam caster arm construction to their 7-ga. steel decks—strength that sets a new standard in mower resilience.

POWERLINES

It is time to prepare for “The Hundred Day War” – the term I’ve heard dealers use for the spring season, which has always been so fitting. This year, the year that should give us all perfect vision, the irony of the nickname is not lost. It is time for literally everyone to face The Hundred Day War in some way or another. Article by Jessica Johnson, Managing Editor, Power Equipment Trade

Article by Jessica Johnson, Managing Editor, Power Equipment Trade

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    • DEALERspeak: Spring Service Challenges

    With our nation seemingly hanging in the balance – political upheaval, health precautions and economic impacts – rest assured a lot of practices remain intact. Dealers are still looking for qualified technicians, checking the weather forecast to predict sales and evolving with the industry’s ongoing switch to more modernized equipment. PET reached out to dealers throughout the country to get a pulse of each service department’s situation as the season surges ahead and homeowners and commercial consumers alike prepare for seasonal responsibilities.

    Article by Patrick Dunning, Associate Editor, Power Equipment Trade

    INDUSTRYvoices: OEMs Weigh In: COVID-19

    After the announcement that the United States would remain open for business in mid-March despite the rapidly progressing coronavirus pandemic on the continent, and that by and large lawn and garden dealerships would remain open for business under the “essential services” designation, PET Managing Editor Jessica Johnson reached out to a few for comments and reactions to the pandemic that will define a generation.

    SHOWroom

    FEATUREproduct

    • Greenworks Commercial GT 161 String Trimmer

    HANDHELD

    • Husqvarna 550iBTX Blower
    • Stihl MSA 160 C-BQ Chain Saw

    SNOW & ICE MANAGEMENT

    • SnowEx Helixx Stainless Steel Hopper Spreader

    PARTS & ACCESSORIES

    • Rotary’s Copperhead Mower Blades

    PETcetera

    Drive-Thru Wake Honors Beloved Dealer