Firstgreen Industries, a global manufacturer of electric, zero-emission skid-steer loaders, launched Rockeat, a new line of electric, cabinless skid-steer loaders. The skid-steer loaders are designed with a low clearance, 360-degree camera, and remote operability and a load capacity of 1,500 to 3,300 lbs. “We are thrilled to introduce Rockeat skid-steers to the U.S. market, which represents a significant leap forward in safety and sustainability for traditionally dangerous, high-emission industries like construction and mining,” said Marcus Suess, chief operating officer for Firstgreen Industr ..read more

A new landscaping and outdoor living survey conducted by G&S Business Communications (G&S) provides insights into the preferences of American homeowners during National Lawn Care Month and National Garden Month. Sixty-nine percent of respondents believe having and maintaining natural grass helps the environment. However, 72 percent of respondents report having a moderate-to-no understanding of the actual impact their lawn and landscape can have on the environment. “Consumers have strong preferences toward natural grass driven by their desire for authenticity, the sensory enjoyment of r ..read more

Bartlett Tree Experts, No. 5 on the 2023 LM150 list, will build a new arboretum and research facility in Spencers Wood, a village south of Reading in the borough of Wokingham, Berkshire, England. “Developing our new arboretum and research lab in the United Kingdom will provide our research scientists and plant pathologists with the enhanced, state-of-the-art capabilities to conduct the most advanced research and testing, allowing them to advise our arborists on the latest advances in arboriculture,” said Robert A. Bartlett, Jr., chairman and CEO of Bartlett Tree Experts. Bartlett’s new arboret ..read more

Registration is now open for Hardscape North America (HNA) 2024. The event, set for Oct. 16-18, at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky., will feature expanded education, new features, networking events and more for attendees. “We’re building on the energy from last year to bring an even more incredible experience for attendees in 2024,” said Bob Thomas, president & CEO of the Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association (CMHA), which produces HNA. “There’s no other place where you can come together with so many of your hardscape and landscape peers to discuss business and hav ..read more

Outdoor Living Supply (OLS), a distribution platform for outdoor living products with a focus on hardscapes, acquired Willow Creek Landscape Supply, a full-service distributor of natural and manufactured stone, hardscapes, nursery and other landscape products. This acquisition expands OLS’ footprint in the Georgia market. “We are honored to welcome Willow Creek to the OLS family of companies,” said Brian Price, CEO of Outdoor Living Supply. “Willow Creek’s location and nursery offering makes it a great addition to our existing Georgia network. I look forward to seeing what our combined teams w ..read more

Robotic mower manufacturer RC Mowers added new features to its Autonomous Mowing Robot (AMR), which include a new split plan feature and a bilingual operator interface. “These new features show our commitment to ongoing innovation,” said RC Mowers vice president of sales and marketing Tim Kubista. “As part of The RC Mowers Success System, we consistently engage with our customers to learn from their AMR experience and then innovate to provide them with new features that help them meet today’s landscaping challenges.” The new split plan feature allows operators to set a single mow plan for an a ..read more

Landscape Workshop, a full-service ground management company and No. 35 on the 2023 LM150 list, recently completed the acquisition of Green Simple Landscape Management, which expands the company’s presence in the Atlanta Perimeter. The company also acquired the commercial maintenance division of Tree of Life Landscaping in Gulf Shores, Ala. “I see this acquisition as an opportunity for our clients at Green Simple to receive superior services and support,” said Wesley Michielsen, owner of Green Simple. “I am confident that our team will thrive, expanding their professional possibilities and hon ..read more

David J. Frank Landscape Contracting celebrates 65 years David J. Frank Landscape Contracting is celebrating its 65th anniversary by breaking ground for a new 10,000-square-foot mechanic shop. The groundbreaking took place on April 8, the birthdate of the company’s founder and namesake. David J. Frank, who passed away in 2019, founded his company in 1959. At the age of 9, Frank began mowing lawns in his suburban Milwaukee neighborhood. By 12, he was already caring for more than 30 neighboring homes. In 1974 he relocated the growing business, which had expanded its landscape services, to its cu ..read more

Richey Plemons, owner of Plemons Lawn and Landscape, spends a lot of time thinking about the future of the industry. “If you’re not prepared, you’re going to be sitting at the station and the train’s going to be two miles away,” Plemons says. “It’ll be gone. You always need to look ahead and see what’s coming at you.” One specific topic that occupies a lot of real estate in his mind is battery-powered equipment. In Plemons’s neck of the woods — Chatsworth, Ga., — there isn’t currently a ban on gas-powered equipment. But Plemons looks to places like California, New York and New Jersey, which ha ..read more

Location: Dublin, Ohio Company: Landscapes by Terra Before starting work on this project, this property sat dormant for more than 10 years, says Jeff Stroupe, owner of Landscapes by Terra. The property featured a 5,200 square-foot driveway fitted with 30-year-old pavers, a 170-foot-long dry creek bed, deteriorating hardscapes and dying plants all around. To address these challenges, Landscapes by Terra proposed reducing landscape beds in favor of more green space. The client wanted to reuse the existing pavers, which caused extra work for crews as they needed to clean the dry concrete off and ..read more