Volvo CE to open rental chain across North America

Volvo Construction Equipment North America, Asheville, N.C., recently announced that it will establish a chain of franchised construction equipment rental outlets for, initially, compact equipment, throughout North America over the next three to four years.

“The development of franchised construction equipment rental businesses across North America is a major new strategy for this company and one we feel is essential for the distribution of compact equipment, a significant segment of both the market and our own product line,” said J.P. Roszell, president and chief executive officer.

“To achieve our goal for the new venture — total market coverage within the time frame of three to four years — we will make full use of our existing dealer network, which will be an integral part of the distribution channel,” Roszell said. “We will encourage separate and dedicated branches, especially separation and ‘stand-alone’ from existing equipment sales branches. New outlets and compact rental-focused franchisees will also be required to meet our market objectives.”

Roszell also announced the management team responsible for the operation of Volvo Rental in North America. Michael Farley, based in Brussels, Belgium, is the senior executive for the rental operation and responsible for the global product line; Del Keffer is the vice president, rental business line manager North America; and Barry Natwick is the global fleet manager-rental. Keffer and Natwick will 

be based in Asheville, headquarters of the new Volvo Rental operations. Additional support personnel will be appointed to provide territorial support for dealers and franchises. 

mergers and acquisitions

The Toro Co., Bloomington, Minn., has agreed to purchase certain assets of Goossen Industries, a turf equipment manufacturer in Beatrice, Neb. The purchase will expand Toro’s product lines in the debris-management portion of its landscape and grounds maintenance business, Toro Chairman and CEO Kendrick Melrose said.

Goossen’s Beatrice facility also will increase the manufacturing capacity of Toro subsidiary Exmark Manufacturing, which makes landscape maintenance equipment. The Goossen plant, adjacent to Exmark headquarters, is a 64,000-square-foot facility with a powder-coat paint system.

Goossen’s 55 employees will become Exmark employees when the deal is completed. Toro has more than 4,700 employees worldwide.

Graco, Minneapolis, has purchased ASM Co., through the purchase of the stock of its holding company parent, Panatech Research and Development Corp., from the Harbour Group of St. Louis. ASM, Orange, Calif., manufactures and markets spray tips, guns, poles and other accessories. The purchase price was not disclosed. ASM had 2000 sales of about $11 million. 

people on the move

Helmut Peters, former executive vice president of the Volvo Construction Equipment Group, has been appointed president of JCB, Pooler, Ga. He also was president and CEO of Volvo Construction Equipment North America for seven years.

Greg Embury has joined Kubota Tractor Corp., Torrance, Calif., as vice president – sales and marketing. He will be responsible for managing all U.S. sales and marketing activities for the company.

Marty Coughlin has been appointed president and CEO of Waco Scaffolding & Equipment, Cleveland. He replaces George Malley who resigned in April. Malley will continue with the company as a consultant.

Stone Construction Equipment, Honeoye, N.Y., has appointed John Park as business development manager. He will be responsible for developing new marketing penetration strategies and distribution channels.

Godwin Pumps has added David Thomas as a sales engineer and Greg White as branch manager in Texas.

Grove Worldwide, Shady Grove, Pa., has appointed Eugenio Frings as district manager, Latin America. He will operate from the Grove office in Santiago, Chile, and will serve as the liaison for all Latin American distributors.

Stellar Industries, Garner, Iowa, has appointed Gerard Carpentier the Canadian sales representative for the Stellarc power system. He will be responsible for maintaining the existing sales network in Canada. 

obituaries

Stanley Batko

Stanley Batko, Vassar, Mich., died on Jan. 26. He was 72.   He was retired from United Rent-All in Warren, Mich., and was the president of the Michigan Equipment Rental Association from 1987 to 1988.  He is survived by his wife Theresa, a son, two daughters and five grandchildren.

George Still

George “Quiet” Still, Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, Canada, died on Feb. 2 from an extended illness. He was 71.   He worked with Wire Rope Industries, Mair Still Agencies and MS Sales.  He is survived by his wife Patricia and a daughter and family in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.