Both brands will be at booth #1142 and will also feature the equipment in demo area booth #7766D.

Yanmar Compact Equipment North America, encompassing the Yanmar Compact Equipment and ASV brands, will debut new products at the Equip Exposition October 18-21, 2022, in Louisville, Kentucky.

Yanmar Compact Equipment will feature the newly introduced next-generation ViO17-1E mini excavator along with the ViO35-6A and SV40 models. Additionally, ASV’s new Yanmar-powered RT-50 and RT-40 Posi-Track loaders will make their tradeshow debut while the MAX-Series RT-135F and RT-75 loaders will be showcased at the tradeshow for the first time. Both brands will be at booth #1142 and will also feature the equipment digging, backfilling and grading in demo area booth #7766D.

“We are thrilled to have both an indoor booth space and a large outdoor demo area to showcase some of our newest additions to the Yanmar CE and ASV lineups,” said Regan Meyer, Yanmar Compact Equipment North America marketing manager. “The new machines and two brands demonstrate how we strive to create equipment that meets the individual needs of our customers and helps take their businesses to new levels. We look forward to showcasing our newest solutions for the industry.”

Yanmar Compact Equipment will showcase its next-generation ViO17-1E mini excavator, released in August. The recently updated ViO17-1E offers a 4,023-pound operating weight and 14.5-horsepower engine and is best suited for residential work, landscaping and small general construction projects. Like all ViO (Victory over Zero) models, the ViO17-1E features true zero trail swing technology for maximum workplace performance in tight spaces. Yanmar Compact Equipment will also exhibit the company’s SV40 model developed specifically for the North American market, as well as the ViO35-6A.

ASV’s two new Yanmar-powered models are making their tradeshow debut: the recently introduced RT-50 and RT-40. Both models feature new Yanmar engines that can be serviced at ASV dealers. The machines have also been updated with some of the comfort and visibility features of the larger MAX-Series line. The new Yanmar-powered RT-50 is paired with a powerful 53.8-horsepower Tier 4, 3-cylinder turbocharged engine and utilizes ASV’s Posi-Power system for high tractive effort and exceptional pushing and digging power. The compact track loader allows operators to be more productive with high-performance thanks, in part, to a nimble 58.5-inch width, a 9.1-foot lift height, a 1,400-lbs rated operating capacity and a 7.1 mph top speed. The repowered RT-40 compact track loader includes a more powerful, new 38.2-horsepower Tier 4, 3-cylinder Yanmar engine­ and is outfitted with ASV’s Posi-Power system like its RT-50 counterpart.

ASV’s MAX-Series RT-135F and RT-75 loaders will be featured at Equip Expo for the first time. These models include a next-generation cab featuring premium 360-degree visibility, a more spacious operator area, a fully adjustable seat, a new state-of-the-art touchscreen display and more. The new RT-135 Forestry Posi-Track loader features 10% more horsepower than the previous titleholder it replaces, ASV’s RT-120. This additional power allows it to maintain best-in-class machine performance while operating high-flow attachments.

The event is part of TCI EXPO in Charlotte, N.C., on Nov. 10.

The Tree Care Industry Association is partnering with STIHL to host Student Career Day as part of TCI EXPO in Charlotte, N.C., on Nov. 10.

The career development event is for students pursuing a career in arboriculture, horticulture or forestry and who are currently attending a vocational school, college or university. Students get a chance to connect with professionals from all over the country who are actively looking to hire new employees and invest in career training.

“This is a great opportunity for aspiring students who want to network and learn first-hand from professionals in the industry,” says Erin Demers, TCIA’s manager of workforce recruitment and retention. “We realize that finding new workers has been challenging for everyone in the industry. We’ve been hosting this event for 24 years and have sponsored more than 5,000 students to attend.”

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Students are selected through their school advisors to attend for free. STIHL’s sponsorship makes this possible. The day includes a kick-off breakfast, networking with industry professionals, Trainer’s Labs, and a Student Awards Party with prizes from the corporate sponsor of the event, STIHL Inc.

STIHL Inc. has sponsored this event for more than 15 years and is a big advocate of helping to build a pipeline of tree care professionals to meet the demand for arborists.

“We love supporting students and exposing them to all the great opportunities in the tree care industry. It’s an exciting time to work in this field, and there are many opportunities," said Adam Wolff, event marketing specialist with STIHL. "We want to foster and inspire the next generation of tree care workers and give them every chance to thrive in this industry."

Students also get a free All-Access pass to TCI EXPO ’22, taking place November 10-12, which includes 38 educational sessions, two trade-show floors, a welcome reception at the NASCAR Hall of Fame and the TCI Block Party. More than 4,000 arboriculture professionals attend this event.

Implementing a new software can be a tedious task, but a worthwhile venture to improve efficiencies throughout a business.

* Editor's note: Jennifer Day and Sarah Eckles gave their presentation "Steady software strategy" at the Lawn & Landscape Technology Conference in August. 

Implementing CRM software has made a major impact for The Finishing Touchez.

While it may have been a long process, Sarah Eckles, director of creative projects, and Jennifer Day, president and CEO, say it’s been extremely beneficial.

“Our journey was pretty challenging, and we expect yours might be too,” Eckles says. “We hope you won’t be discouraged if you run into certain failures.”

Before diving into software, most financial reporting in the office was being handwritten, and the company felt like it was behind the times. There was data being repeated and just inefficiencies everywhere.

“We had a really, really archaic way of doing business for quite some time,” Day said.

So, with some software background, Eckles decided to revamp the way things were being done. Finshing Touchez started working with a CRM designed specifically for the landscape industry,

“We decided all work and no play makes for a dull day,” Eckles jokes.

But Day admits, the first year the software barely got touched. Even with training, it wasn’t being embraced.

Eckles added that it took tracking progress and projects to really get the ball rolling. She took on the role of project manager to do this.

“People who are detail oriented are also very important, and if that data isn’t clear, concise and consistent the wheels are going to come off the wagon,” Eckles says of looking for the right project manager.

Eckles adds that anyone working to implement the new software should be in constant communication with one another.

Day and Eckles recognize that having the time to dedicate to a new software can be challenging. So, they decided to really fine-tune the process during the offseason in the winter.

Once things got on track, Finishing Touchez start utilizing service estimates and timekeeping logs within the software.

“It’s reassuring that we’re doing things right,” Eckles says of using these features.

With this real-time data, the business also rolled out a bonus program for crews who completed projects faster than the allotted time.

“Because we had this bonus pull, it incentivized the staff to use the timekeeping app correctly,” she says. “It was a good way to marry the objects we had with buy in from the staff.”

Day and Eckles admit that having this software in place when the COVID-19 pandemic hit was a relief.

“That confidence in the program and our processes was big,” Day says. “It allowed us to focus on whatever our staff needed during those uncertain times.”

They also recommend breaking the implementation down into phases so that it seems less overwhelming. Start with one segment of the business and track that for a season before moving on to the next.

“So, with the next phase it can be brought on a little bit cleaner and a little bit smoother,” Eckles says.

Also, it’s important to celebrate the little victories.

Eckles suggests any company looking to bring in software should start by establishing three things — an assignment log, software enhancement log and a monthly to-do list.

The assignment log lists due dates, priorities, and a brief description. It can also function as a meeting agenda by filtering for specific tasks or staff members.

“Anytime movement happened on a project, we just added to it,” Eckles says. “And we can all see it on a shared drive. It’s been a really instrumental way of keeping me organized.”

The monthly to-do list is also essential for Finishing Touchez.

“We have a lot of things that come up annually, so having a rolling que has helped bridge gaps with our software,” Day says. “Having those deadlines in place stopped us from having to recreate the wheel every time.”

Day says it’s also allowed the company to find gaps in the year where there’s downtime.

The enhancement log is where Day and Eckles keep track of any bumps in the road with the software. Therefore, they can paste any information learned in a place where everyone can find it.

“It also keeps are software company accountable to us,” Eckles says. “We can see how they’ve been serving us as their customer.”

She suggests sending a copy of the enhancement log to any new representatives you begin working with from your software company.

By adding this software, both Day and Eckles say it’s allowed them to get back to what they love doing — working outside with the plants. And spend less time worrying about the back-office tasks that need done.

“The road for us hasn’t been easy but has been steady and exciting,” Eckles says. “While any software journey is going to have its challenges — we hope we’ve convinced you it’s worth it.”

The company combines Turf Masters Lawncare, All Turf Holdings and Green Group Holdings.

CenterOak Partners, a Dallas-based private equity firm, has formed Turf Masters Lawn Care Services, a residential lawn services platform created through the combination of three providers: Turf Masters Lawncare, All Turf Holdings and Green Group Holdings.

As part of the transaction, the existing owners and management teams will continue to be active and will have an equity interest in the company.

Andy Kadrich, the founder of Turf Masters, will lead the company as CEO. CenterOak’s investment will provide capital to support the growth of the newly formed entity. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

READ MORE: Andy appeared in our April 2021 issue as a profile story

Turf Masters Lawn Care Services provides recurring lawn, tree, and shrub care services to over 100,000 customers annually, helping homeowners maximize turf and soil health through fertilization, seeding, aeration, weed control and exterior pest programs. The company currently operates over 20 branches across 10 states and plans to grow organically and through add-on acquisitions.

“Turf Masters, All Turf, and Green Group are high performing, leading residential lawn businesses led by strong local management teams focused on best-in-class customer service,” said Jason Sutherland, co-managing partner of CenterOak. “CenterOak has a long history of partnering with talented teams to support rapid growth in highly fragmented industries. We look forward to expanding the Company’s customer base, increasing service offerings, and recruiting additional strong local market leaders to join our new platform.”

“We are excited to have CenterOak’s resources and experience supporting our family-owned business in this next phase of growth,” said Andy Kadrich, CEO and founder of Turf Masters. “With CenterOak’s support, we have an opportunity to scale quickly by investing in our existing markets and by acquiring passionate, talented and customer service-focused operators in the residential lawn services industry.”

IronCraft, formerly branded Titan Implement, is an attachments manufacturer.

LFM Capital, a private equity firm focused on lower middle market manufacturing and industrial services businesses, has invested in IronCraft.

IronCraft, formerly branded Titan Implement, is a manufacturer of 3-point, skid steer, and mini-excavator attachments. Their products are sold through the company’s dealer network spanning more than 40 states and used for a variety of applications, targeting the lifestyle farmer, landscaping, light construction, and more. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The company plans capital expenditures over the next 24-months at the Athens, Tennessee factory as well as other southeastern, TN locations including a paint booth, laser cutting, robotic welding and more. In addition, other initiatives to support the post-purchase experience include online parts lookup, service manuals, training resources, and adding more product support locations across the country.

“Dealers and customers should expect a personal and simple sales transaction while having access to a broader product group that will be in more locations across the country,” said new IronCraft CEO Pat Kozlowski. “We will also be deploying resources to the dealers in the coming months that will enable them to procure, manage, and track their orders with visibility, which will help them serve their customers through the transaction.  This should provide an easy to buy experience while also making it easier for the dealers to serve their customers.” 

“We are thrilled to add IronCraft to the LFM portfolio," said LFM Managing Director Dan Shockley. "We believe the diversified skid steer and tractor attachments industry will continue to grow in size and scope. The historical growth that IronCraft has experienced is a testament to the organization’s value proposition to its dealers and end users.”