OPE Business Powering the Success of Independent Servicing Dealers
What industry news was of most interest to readers of OPE Business in the past 12 months? We scoured the entire year of our online news database – day by day, week by week and month by month – to find out, and we list below the top 3-5 stories for each month. The results are a revealing look at not only what readers found of interest, but also how the OPE industry itself progressed in what has been a very challenging year.
JANUARY
January 14: Industry Supplier Walbro Announces Organizational Changes
January 18: Hustler Turf Introduces 2021 Zero-Turn Mower Lineup
January 26: Altoz Hires Industry Veteran Dougherty as DSM
FEBRUARY
February 9: Curtis Industries Launches New A/C Cab for Kubota Zero-Turn
February 16: Husqvarna Launches Industry-First MadSaw Pro Pole Saw
February 22: Kubota Introduces New Compact Track Loader: SVL97-2
MARCH
March 13: Kubota Reveals Gas-Powered RTV520, Replaces RTV500
March 22: Landmaster’s New Electric UTV Brings May Delivery, $10,999 MSRP
March 26: Echo Launches its Most Powerful Trimmer for North America
APRIL
April 2: Stihl iCademy Launches, Free Web-Based Training for Dealers
April 7: Bush Hog Offering Chance to Win Pink ZTR
April 9: New Zero-Turn Exmark Mower Launches with 48-inch Deck
MAY
May 4: California Considering a Ban on New Sales of Gas-Powered OPE
May 15: Echo and BrandMuscle Partner to Launch Echo ADvantage Marketing Program
May 25: Messick Farm Equipment Breaks Ground on New HQ Facility
JUNE
June 10: Ingersoll Rand Sells Club Car to Private-Equity Firm
June 30: Ariens Chairman and CEO Discusses Labor Shortages and More on CNN
JULY
July 15: Oregon Tool to be Acquired by Platinum Equity
July 15: Briggs & Stratton Acquires Minority Stake in Accelerated Systems, Inc.
July 22: FTC Unanimously Adopts Policy Statement Aimed at Restoring Right to Repair
AUGUST
August 2: Stanley Black & Decker Negotiating to Acquire MTD Products
August 17: Stanley Black & Decker to Acquire Remaining 80-Percent Stake in MTD for $1.6 Billion
August 23: M18 FUEL Self-Propelled Mower Coming from Milwaukee Tool in 2022
August 24: Scag Parent Company Acquires Robbins Manufacturing
August 31: Electric Sheep Robotics Launches
SEPTEMBER
September 1: Arrowhead Engineered Products Acquired by Genstar Capital
September 10: California Legislature Passes AB 1346, Sent to Governor
September 13: Stanley Black & Decker to Acquire Excel Industries, Adding Hustler and BigDog Brands
September 21: Husqvarna Group Files Lawsuit to Compel Briggs & Stratton to Deliver Engines
September 24: Echo Launches New eForce 56V Battery System
OCTOBER
October 10: California Governor Signs Law Banning Sale of New Gas-Powered Lawn Mowers, Leaf Blowers, Chainsaws by 2024
October 12: Toro Introduces Latest Commercial and Consumer Equipment at GIE+Expo 2021
October 13: Hustler Turf Introduces Zero-Turn Mowers for 2022
October 25: Makita Debuts 10 New Products, New Battery Technology
NOVEMBER
November 1: New York State Senator Introduces Zero-Emission Lawn and Landscape Equipment Legislation
November 4: Stanley Black & Decker’s Acquisition of MTD, Excel Expected to Close by Early 2022
November 5: GIE+Expo Returns: Boasts Strong Attendance, Introduces New Brand/Name
November 12: Husqvarna Group and Briggs & Stratton Reach Settlement to Resolve Engine Supply in 2022
November 22: Dixie Chopper Unveils Electric Zero-Turn Concept Mower, New ‘SS’ Models
DECEMBER
December 1: Stanley Black & Decker Completes Acquisitions of MTD Holdings and Excel Industries
December 3: Canada’s National Capital Commission Banning Gas-Powered Small Tools
December 8: Echo Expands Operations, Purchases Additional Warehouse
December 14: Announcing Our 2021 OPEB Movers & Shakers
