LawnPRO Partners – a platform focused on residential lawn care treatment, tree, shrub and pest control services that is backed by HCI Equity Partners – has acquired LawnRx. LawnRx represents the fifth acquisition for LawnPRO Partners. Financial terms were not disclosed. Based in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, LawnRx is a founder-owned provider of lawn care treatment and tree, shrub and pest control services to residential customers in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. LawnPRO’s acquisition of LawnRx expands the platform’s presence in Pennsylvania, representing the third acquisition in the state and th ..read more

This month, we look at the marketplace for hedge trimmers and related shears. This is the third in our ongoing analysis of data from Dealer+, the collaborative data program developed by Traqline and Ideal Computer Systems.  This data comes from point-of-sale records of nearly 2,000 independent OPE dealers nationwide, representing every major brand. Plus, the effort looks at data from mass merchants. Sales were recorded from January through March 2024. Traqline Dealer+ Data (from independent OPE dealers) Average leaf blower sale price Commercial models = $519 Residential models  ..read more

Reporting its Q2 2024 financial results, Polaris announced its sales were $1,961 million, down 12 percent compared to last year. Second quarter market share was flat in off-road vehicles (ORV) and pontoons. Powersports retail sales for the quarter were down 8 percent versus last year driven by a decline in motorcycles and marine; second quarter ORV retail was down 4 percent. “The second quarter proved challenging as our industry continued to contend with elevated interest rates, inflation, and an increasingly cautious dealer and consumer,” said Mike Speetzen, CEO of Polaris, Inc. “As we positi ..read more

Kress Commercial now offers a lighter, more portable charging option – the CyberTank Lite DC-DC charging system powered by the new Kress Commercial 60 V CyberLite Charger and Kress Commercial CyberCapsule. With the CyberTank Lite DC-DC charging system, green industry professionals can benefit from increased portability due to the CyberLite Charger’s smaller size and lighter weight. Kress designed the CyberTank Lite DC-DC charging system for small crews, crews with limited truck or van space, and crews that cover expansive properties or need an additional boost during peak season. Charging wit ..read more

OpenBrand, which describes itself as a leading market intelligence platform powered by AI-driven insights, announced its acquisition of TraQline. This is OpenBrand’s third acquisition following the combination with Gap Intelligence and Deep.ad in October 2023, and the acquisition of Competitive Promotion Report (CPR) in March 2024. TraQline, known for its detailed consumer durables market data and analysis, significantly enhances OpenBrand’s ability to offer comprehensive market insights. By integrating TraQline’s market measurement expertise, OpenBrand can now provide clients with an unparall ..read more

This month, we zoom in on the leaf blower market, reviewing and analyzing data from Dealer+, a collaborative data analysis program developed by TraQline and Constellation.  We analyze three months of sales to see which leaf blowers blew away buyers at OPE dealers (both independent dealers and big-box stores). This data comes from point-of-sale records of nearly 2,000 independent OPE dealers nationwide, representing every major brand. Plus, the effort looks at mass merchant data (Home Depot, Lowe’s, others). Sales were recorded from December 2023 through February 2024.  Traqline Deale ..read more

We are cutting deep into the chain saw market here, reviewing and analyzing data from TraQline Dealer+, a collaborative data analysis program developed by TraQline and Constellation.   In this post, we analyze three months of sales information to see what has been happening in chain saw sales at OPE dealers (both independent dealers and big-box stores). This data comes from point-of-sale records of nearly 2,000 independent OPE dealers nationwide, representing every major brand. Plus, the effort looks at data from mass merchants including Home Depot and Lowe’s.  Sales were record ..read more

SiteOne Landscape Supply invites landscape professionals, including business owners, managers, purchasing agents, installers and crew members, to attend the 26th Women In Green Industry conference in Chicago, Illinois, from September 19 through 21 at the Renaissance Chicago Downton Hotel. Contractor registration is open now through Sunday, August 4. The $999 registration fee covers lodging, most meals, education sessions, and networking activities. Packages including airfare are also available.  “This event is valuable for women in the green industry, offering professional growth and per ..read more

Husqvarna Group reported its second quarter 2024 financials recently, showing a 6% decline in organic sales. The company cited weak macroeconomic conditions, cautious consumer behavior, and adverse weather in Central Europe and North America. Even with this sales decline, the company said it has seen gains in its professional robotic lawn mower segment, and with reduced debt and improved cash flow, the company’s financial position remains solid. In its reporting, CEO Pavel Hajman stated, “Organic sales in the Husqvarna Forest & Garden Division decreased by 6% during the quarter. Growth wa ..read more

Equipment manufacturer John Deere said it will no longer sponsor “social or cultural awareness” events, that it will audit all training materials “to ensure the absence of socially-motivated messages,” and that “the existence of diversity quotas and pronoun identification have never been and are not company policy.”  The Associated Press (AP) reports that the move is driven, in part, by criticism from conservative political commentator and filmmaker Robby Starbuck who has recently been critical of companies like Deere, Tractor Supply and others. AP reports that Starbuck called Deere’s an ..read more