The corporate fleet team of Reid Altavilla (corporate fleet manager), Lee Grisko (regional fleet manager), Jesse Lepinsky (regional fleet manager), Lynn Dowler (fleet administrator) and Greg Franklin (director of fleet and facilities) attended the annual Green Industry & Equipment Expo (GIE) that was held in Louisville, KY in October. The GIE Expo is the green industry’s largest showcase of outdoor power equipment, lawn and garden products/outdoor leisure items, and light construction and landscape equipment and features 750 indoor and outdoor exhibits.
“Having the opportunity to see hundreds of dealers all under one roof provided us with invaluable face time with some of our current partners and enabled us to forge relationships with potential new partners,” said Greg Franklin. “Additionally, we were able to participate in demonstrations and educational seminars, see new products and do a little networking while getting a feel for where technology is headed in the future.” Franklin added that one of the best benefits was the time spent together with the fleet team as they enjoyed the show and the Louisville area.
One clear movement the fleet team noticed was the industry trend toward heading “green” with battery powered and electric handheld equipment being promoted by companies large and small, along with an all-electric/solar zero turn ride-on mower coming to the market. As this technology continues to improve and evolve, the fleet team will keep studying it and will implement if/when it makes sense to do so.
In addition to our fleet team, representatives from both divisions attended Landscapes 2016, presented by The National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) and held in conjunction with the EXPO, which included numerous educational sessions addressing industry concerns, emerging trends, and strategic solutions to business questions.
This yearly event is one that provides invaluable introduction to our vendors, exposure to new products and new and emerging technologies, as well as educational and networking opportunities—all of which will continue to help us be leaders in the markets we serve.