Supplier news

Supplier News

Becker Underwood acquires Bio-Care Technology
Becker Underwood recently announced the acquisition of Bio-Care Technology Pty Limited of Australia. Bio-Care is a leading Australian biotechnology business with products including seed inoculants and bio-pesticides for use in agricultural and horticultural applications.
“The focus of our global and technological expansion is to provide customers with the latest in biotech products offering long-term environmentally beneficial solutions for crops,” says Roger Underwood, CEO, Becker Underwood. “This acquisition is another step in our plan to lead with a global presence in each of our markets and provide local support to our customers worldwide.”
Gary Bullard, founder and managing director of Bio-Care says, “Combining Bio-Care with Becker Underwood’s global presence and vast research capabilities will benefit our new and existing customers with a much broader product line.” Bullard will continue as managing director of Bio-Care.

LESCO launches new Web site
Golf course superintendents can now access LESCO product and technical information through the company’s newly launched Web site: www.lesco.com.
“Revamping our Web site was long overdue and we’re very excited about our new online presence, what it means for our customer and what it means for our business,” says Michael DiMino, LESCO’s president and chief executive officer. “This Web site, which we’re calling LESCO Direct, greatly extends the level of service that we can provide our customers by creating an information-packed online presence that gives our customers the information they need when they need it.”
Key content areas in the new site include:
• Special LESCO sales promotions
• A full LESCO product catalog
• Agronomic information
• Product labels and MSDS sheets
• A locator for LESCO Service Centers and Stores-on-Wheels
• Investor information
• Career opportunities within LESCO
“With our new LESCO.com, we are able to provide nearly all of the information our customers regularly request from us,” adds Brett Barthel, LESCO’s vice president of marketing. “By enabling our customers to monitor their account, gather product information and seek technical assistance through this user-friendly Web site, we are giving them more opportunities to focus on creative solutions that will help them build their businesses.”
DiMino adds that LESCO is currently developing additional features that will be added to the Web site in the future.

Bayer announces Merit sweepstakes
To celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Merit insecticide’s EPA registration, Bayer Environmental Science launched a sweepstakes for golf course superintendents, lawn care operators and arborists. The contest, which began in February 2004, allows Merit customers to enter to win prizes including professional equipment, gift certificates, electronics and more. The three grand prizes are a $10,000 Lowe’s gift card, a four-year lease on a Ford F-150 and a trip for four to the Richard Petty Driving Experience in Las Vegas.
“Since its registration on March 18, 1994, Merit has helped industry professionals control white grubs, which are one of the most damaging and pervasive turf pests,” says Dr. Mike Ruizzo, business manager, CNIs, Bayer Environmental Science. “This sweepstakes is one way we are celebrating this important milestone and saying thank you to our customers for their continued support.”
Industry professionals are automatically entered in the sweepstakes drawing via Merit purchases or mail-in entries. “Instant winner” prize cards can be found on all Merit packages and must be redeemed online at www.merit-10-year.com. Entries will be accepted through June 2004. Winners will be announced in the fall.

TifEagle to hold discussion group
An informal discussion group regarding TifEagle Bermudagrass will be held after the Southeastern Turfgrass Conference at the Rural Development Center, Tifton, Ga., on May 4 from 3 to 6 p.m. Golf course superintendents who work with TifEagle Bermudagrass are invited to attend the discussion, which will focus on managing TifEagle greens. More information about the southeast Turfgrass Conference is available on the Internet at www.ugatiftonconference.org.

Deere One Source exclusive supplier of BlueYellow
John Deere Golf & Turf One Source and its distributor network will be the exclusive distributor of BlueYellow, a new engineered turf system from Georgia-Pacific, to the golf market in the United States and Canada.
“Our One Source program represents strategic partnerships with many of the industry’s most respected suppliers in the seed, fertilizer, irrigation and drainage fields,” says Gregg Breningmeyer, director of sales and marketing for John Deere Golf & Turf One Source. “We are pleased to add BlueYellow engineered turf system to the One Source partnership. We believe BlueYellow is an important new technology for golf course construction and renovation.”
Marsha Seekins, vice president of sales for BlueYellow, says, “We are excited about being named as a certified supplier to John Deere’s new One Source program. Our engineered turf system complements the existing One Source offerings to the golf and turf industry and, together, we will provide outstanding quality and value to a very discriminating market.”
BlueYellow combines a cellulose-based substrate with a calibrated distribution of high-quality grass seed and fertilizer in the form of a lightweight, 100-percent biodegradable roll. This can be custom manufactured with any variety of commercially available seed and fertilizer for a prescription turf for new construction and renovation projects.

Precision Laboratories forms PlantScience
Richard Wohlner, president, Precision Laboratories, Waukegan, Ill., announced the formation of Plant Science, a company that is offering new plant nutrition technology for the golf course, specialty turf, sports field and lawn and landscape markets.
Plant Science will be offering Nature’s Time and Tru-prill fertilizer products in various formulations. The company is based in Barrie, Ontario, Canada, and is led by President Robert Field, a turf industry veteran who most recently served as the director of sales and marketing for NuGro Corp. Vice President Steven Hewgill has more than 15 years of experience in turf and was formerly the national sales manager for NuGro Corp.
Precision Laboratories is the exclusive marketer of the Plant Science fertilizer product line in the United States. More information on Plant Science can be obtained at www.precisionlab.com.

Riverdale becomes Nufarm Turf & Specialty
The Riverdale Chemical Co., officially changed its name to Nufarm Turf & Specialty, a division of Nufarm Americas. The name change was introduced first at the 2004 Golf Course Superintendents Association International Golf Course Conference & Show in February.
Riverdale was purchased by Australia-based Nufarm Limited in 1999 and, coupled with the creation of a highly successful agriculture division, Nufarm Americas was born. The recent evolution from Riverdale to Nufarm Turf & Specialy was one of many steps toward streamlining Nufarm’s North American business. The aim is to unify the company and increase efficiency while providing customers with the personalized service they have come to expect from Riverdale. The Riverdale name will continue to serve as a brand strategy on existing product lines.
With a number of new product launches expected in the coming months, Nufarm Turf & Specialty is poised to continue Nufarm Americas’ growing presence in the U.S. market. The company will continue to serve the golf course, lawn and landscape and various industrial vegetation management segments with an array of post and pre-emergent herbicides, fungicides and specialty chemicals.

Wilson Golf donates to The First Tee
In celebration of its 90th anniversary, Wilson Golf announced a partnership with The First Tee. The company will donate $90 for every birdie made by Wilson staff member Jesper Parnevik on the 2004 PGA Tour. Additionally, Wilson will donate a set of equipment as used by Parnevik, a signed Jesper Parnevik bag, hat, glove and balls, as well as a round of golf with Parnevik at one of the country’s premiere courses, to be auctioned on eBay at The First Tee Charity Auction Store.
Also, Wilson will offer an internship for this summer and next to a qualified participant from one of The First Tee’s Chicago-area chapters, where Wilson is located.
“The First Tee has made great strides bringing golf to youngsters across America, ultimately improving the strength of the sport,” says Angus Moir, Wilson Golf’s global business director. “There are so many children today that do not even have the chance to learn to play golf, and The First Tee is all about giving kids that opportunity. We are proud to help them in any way we can.”

Club Car named NGCOA Canada supplier
Club Car has been named the exclusive golf car supplier and a Platinum Partner of the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) Canada. Club Car has been the Exclusive Premier Partner of the NGCOA in the United States for the past three years.
“Club Car is delighted to join the NGCOA Canada in its support of golf course owners and operators and the growth of the game throughout Canada,” says David Hamilton, vice president of golf Americas for Club Car.
In addition to golf cars, utility and hospitality vehicles, Club Car also offers mobile merchandising, GPS-based distance measurement, communications and course management systems and equipment financing solutions through its association with allied companies that are part of the Club Car Solutions Network.
“The National Golf Course Owners Association Canada is very excited to be partnered with Club Car,” says Jeff Calderwood, executive director, NGCOA Canada. “Not only is Club Car a market leader, which will benefit our member golf course operators, but its commitment to the overall goal of the NGCOA Canada provides a total solutions relationship for years to come.”