News

GIE+EXPO sees rise in attendance, staying in Louisville
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The sponsors of the GIE+EXPO announced they have extended their partnership contract through 2014.

“With an ever-growing and changing industry, the combined show just makes sense,” said OPEI president and CEO Bill Harley. “Attendees are exposed to different aspects of the industry that can help grow their businesses and increase profits, while exhibitors are put in front of a larger audience.”

The show, held every fall, is sponsored by OPEI, PLANET and PGMS. 2010 saw the co-location of the Hardscape North America show, which organizers said helped boost attendance and booth sales.

Preliminary registration results showed total attendee registration was up about 4 percent, with lawn and landscape professionals up about 17 percents, said Warren Sellers, show director. The exhibit space, both indoors and outdoors, increased by 20 percent and the show floor included more than 200 companies that were not part of the 2009 expo.

Those in attendance took part in three days of educational sessions, demonstrations by suppliers and conversations on the industry and economy. Overall, landscape contractors at the show were upbeat when asked about the state of their business and the future of the industry.

New fungicide approved for use on commercial sites
GREENSBORO, N.C. – Renown fungicide, a product from Syngenta, has received U.S. Environmental Protection Agency registration for use on commercial sites.

It is the only product to contain the active ingredients found in both Heritage and Daconil fungicides.
 
By combining proprietary azoxystrobin from Syngenta and finely-milled chlorothalonil, Renown provides both systemic and contact modes of action, the company says. Its preventive and curative properties help control key plant diseases including, dollar spot, brown patch, gray leaf spot, algae, anthracnose and more.
 
Additional product features include:

Stick-and-stay technology:  Proprietary technology that helps the contact component of Renown stick and stay on the leaf surface longer, even after heavy rain or irrigation, providing broad-spectrum disease control.

Performance under summer stress: A non-DMI product that performs well under summer heat and stress.
Protection from root to leaf tip:  Control of both soil-borne and foliar diseases.

Also this is the latest addition to Syngenta’s The Turf Essentials line of combination fungicide product brands including Headway, Instrata and Concert each product relies on a formulation of two or more active ingredients with multiple modes of action for broader-spectrum efficacy.

GreenTrust 365:  Renown is available as part of the 2011 GreenTrust 365 Purchase Program.

Dow AgroSciences kicks off applicator rebate program
INDIANAPOLIS – Dow AgroSciences has kicked off the 2010-2011 Power of MORE rebate program.

It allows users of Dow AgroSciences turf and ornamental herbicides, fungicides and insecticides to earn cash rebates on product purchases made Sept. 1, 2010, through Aug. 31, 2011.

Customers earn cash back when they purchase Dow AgroSciences branded products and products that contain Dow AgroSciences active ingredients.

Cash rebates are available on more than 50 participating products, including formulator brands and on fertilizer formulations.

The full list of eligible products can be found at www.powerofmore.com. In addition, customers can earn bonus rebates based on the total rebate amount earned throughout the year.

Qualifying products must be invoiced during the purchase period of Sept. 1, 2010 through Aug. 31, 2011. Completed rebate forms and invoices must be postmarked by Sept. 30, 2011.

Include Software members honored for business leadership
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Include Software team members were recognized by local business organizations for their leadership.

Include’s Director of Sales, Jody Lenes, was named Young Professional of the Year by the Howard County Chamber of Commerce, and Bill Seven, Include’s founder and president, was honored as a finalist for Entrepreneur of the Year by the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce.

Lenes was a founding member of the Young Professionals Network, an initiative of the Howard County Chamber of Commerce. The award honored his leadership in making YPN one of the fastest-growing professional groups in Maryland.

“Jody put YPN on the map and showed great leadership in assimilating many varied viewpoints and agendas, harnessing the energy of so many young professionals in the region,” said Mac Cassity, YPN’s board chair.

Seven was honored for his ability to translate technical expertise into commercial success throughout the country. He started the business by writing his own software code to assist in his construction job and parlayed the experience into management softwae for the land care industry.

SavATree expands acquiring DeerTech
BEDFORD, N.Y. –  SavATree, a tree, shrub and lawn care services provider, has acquired DeerTech, a deer deterrent solutions company.

DeerTech’s patented Three Circles of Protection shields valuable shrubs and plants from hungry deer. The service combines a patented ultra-sound technology with proprietary treatment.

DeerTech offers services to residential and commercial customers in five states, including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Delaware.

“Both organizations were built on providing the highest level of service through skilled local people and cutting edge technologies,” said SavATree President Daniel van Starrenburg. “Through this merger, we are enhancing the deer deterrent service we offer, which we believe is now best in the industry.”

“We are excited about partnering with a well-established leader that provides an even stronger value proposition to both existing and new customers,” said DeerTech CEO Alan Seiler.