OCTOBER 2021

FORDS PRAIRIE, Washington – Family owned and operated, The Power Shop is a long-established business that continues to adapt to the new “normal” of operating a business under pandemic conditions as the store brand is promoted as a key member of the community and a business that provides premium lawn and garden equipment solutions.

Located on the north end of the adjacent towns of Chehalis and Centralia along the fast-growing I-5 corridor less than 30 minutes south of the greater Olympia area, The Power Shop has a good mix of residential lot and rural landowner business requiring a wide range of premium equipment.

The business dates back 65 years to its founding. Cedric and Diane Pruitt are the latest owners, since 2005. After years in the construction business and running a gas station in Edmond, Washington, the Pruitts were looking for a change and a new business opportunity.

Article by Dan Shell, Senior Editor, Power Equipment Trade

After the last 18 months, I find I want a little more silliness in my life. The world seems to be in even more turmoil than I could have ever imagined, which is saying a lot considering how much of a doomsday person I was for the better part of mid-2020. So, let’s belly laugh.

Article by Jessica Johnson, Managing Editor, Power Equipment Trade

Exmark, George Kittle Partner On Blog

Altoz Hires New District Sales Manager

Briggs Acquires SimpliPhi Power

Arrowhead Acquires Red Hawk

Deere Purchases Robotics Company

Yamaha Celebrates U.S. Milestone

Black & Decker To Acquire MTD

Michigan To Help Walbro Expand

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following companies submitted editorial profiles and images to complement their advertisements in the Power Equipment Trade October 2021.

ARCHER

ASPEN

CURTIS INDUSTRIES

ECHO INC

HEFTEE INDUSTRIES

HUSQVARNA

MASPORT MOWERS

STIHL

SUNBELT OUTDOOR PRODUCTS

TD BANK

TRILINK SAW CHAIN

WALBRO

With customers’ realities and needs changing, many companies had to pivot to more online marketing. YouTube has become an essential marketing tool for a simple reason: It is often easier to connect and engage with potential customers through video than with text. By creating videos that introduce your dealership or explain how to change a lawnmower blade, for example, you can make personal connections with your customers and even reach new audiences.

Article by Jacqlyn Kirkland, Online Content & Marketing Manager, Hatton-Brown Publishers

The Northeast Equipment Dealers Association (NEDA) and Stihl Inc. are evolving vocational tech training programs to increase emphasis on closing the gap on technician shortages at power equipment dealerships nationwide.

Article by Patrick Dunning, Associate Editor, Power Equipment Trade

PARTS & ACCESSORIES:

Parker HT-Series Service Kits

Rotary Battery-Powered Sprayers

It’s been a rollercoaster of a year and a half. Kris Kiser, President of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, gives dealers a five-minute pep talk.