Category: News

Holding company Fieldbury Plc, with shares traded on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange, has sold its investment in Dixie Sales Co. to Dixie’s senior management and a group of Fieldbury Shareholders in a transaction completed July 31, 2009. Dixie Sales is now owned by three groups of shareholders, including members of…

Officials with KYMCO and Kawasaki recently announced the signing of a joint venture contract to form a high-performance engine manufacturer, Changzhou Kawasaki and Kwang Yang Engine Co., Ltd.(CK&K), in China’s Changzhou National Hi-Tech District (CZND). The new company is expected to commence production in January 2010. Engines from CK&K will be mainly exported to the…

Now dealers can order Artic Cat ATV units three times throughout the year, as opposed to once. According to Arctic Cat officials, dealers can now order in June, August, and January, instead of at a company dealer network show in the summer. Arctic Cat is planning to introduce part of its 2010 ATV line in…

With summer almost over and reports of crime on the way up in many areas, this interesting item we saw in the most recent issue of “Northeast Dealer,” the newsletter of the Northeast Equipment Dealers Assn., ought to get dealers thinking: “Perhaps it’s the recession, but we continue to see an increasing number of stolen…

Beginning January 1, 2010, gasoline retailers in Oregon will be able to sell ethanol-free premium gasoline. House Bill 3497, introduced by Republican Leader Bruce Hanna and Rep. Tim Freeman and recently signed by Gov. Ted Kulongoski, addresses issues some consumers are having with an already enacted state law that required retail transportation fuel gasoline blends…

The Engines and Power Products Division of Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S. has increased the consumer warranty on selected engine groupings to three years. Engines affected by this new warranty coverage are the FR, FS, and FX series, which totals 22 separate engines. According to Rodger Howe, Director of Operations, this expanded warranty does not apply…

Maruyama U.S. Inc. announces a business partnership with elite outdoor power equipment distributor, Roberts Supply, Inc. located in Winter Park, Fla. Roberts Supply will distribute the full line of Maruyama products in the states of Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. In 1963 Bill Roberts opened a small outdoor power equipment retail store in Winter Park. Wayne…

Briggs & Stratton Corp. announced Wednesday a plan to close its Jefferson and Watertown, Wis. manufacturing facilities in fiscal 2010. The power products segment facilities currently manufacture all portable generator, home standby generator and pressure washer products marketed and sold by the company. Briggs officials said the job reductions will occur by the end of…

GIE+EXPO, set for October 29-31 in Louisville, is adding the new High-Performance Service Department, a collective effort of several exhibitors and Bob Clements International. The how-to pavilion will simulate a highly efficient service department including: Two large service bays plus service areas for riding equipment and walk-behind and handheld equipment A staging area and wash…

The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) announced its 2009-10 officers and board of directors during its 57th Annual Meeting in Greensboro, Ga. held June 25-27, 2009. Officers for 2009-10 include: Chairman Michael Hoffman (Chairman, CEO, The Toro Company) Vice Chairman Fred Whyte (President, Stihl, Inc.), and Secretary/Treasurer Jean Hlay (President and COO, MTD Products, Inc.)….