Market Trends: May 1998

Many Happy Returns

Whether for convenience, productivity or a sense of environmental responsibility, a majority of landscape maintenance contractors who mow turf say that they return clippings to the turf when they mow. A recent reader survey of the readers of T&O Service Tech magazine, Lawn & Landscape’s sister publication, revealed that nearly 90 percent of lawn maintenance contractors leave clippings at least some of the time, and nearly two-thirds indicated that they always return clippings. Reasons given for this trend by respondents included the cost of disposal, reduced time on the site and a reduced need for fertilizer.

Bolusky Tapped To Head FNGA

WASHINGTON, D. C. - The American Nursery & Landscape Association put out the Help Wanted sign last month, but it won’t be easy to find someone who can fill the shoes of its departing director of government affairs, Ben Bolusky.

After 12 years in that position, Bolusky has been chosen to fill the executive vice president position with the Florida Nursery & Growers Association, based in Orlando.

"Everyone here (at ANLA) has been very supportive," said Bolusky, "and it’s an excellent opportunity to continue working in an industry I truly admire and enjoy."

Bolusky was expected to stay with the ANLA through the end of April and start his new position May 15, working with outgoing Executive Vice President Earl Wells until he assumes the position full time on July 10. Wells will be retiring after serving the FNGA for 13 years.

"Ben met all of the criteria we set forth in our search for an executive vice president," said George Finora, president, FNGA. "With his association experience and familiarity with regulatory and legislative issues, Ben was the best person for this position."

"Ben has been a highly valuable member of the staff for 12 years," said Robert Dolibois, executive vice president of ANLA, "and this is a great opportunity for him. The FNGA maintains a significant legislative presence here in Washington, so we’ll still be in contact with him and he’ll still be involved in the industry and the organization.

"He always did an outstanding job of building relationships for the organization," Dolibois continued. "I will miss his very positive and optimistic personality - the cup was always at least half-full from his perspective, and you need someone like that in an organization."

Dolibois said that the search for a replacement will not be limited to green industry experienced candidates. The election year will generate a number of legislatively savvy individuals who leave campaigns early or become available as candidates bow out of races in the spring and summer.

The timing of the move is also ideal, as the 105th Congress winds down legislative activities and its members prepare for campaigning. "We’ll continue to step up pressure on Congress over the guest-worker bill, but at this juncture we don’t expect there will be any major legislative issues that will arise in the next three months," explained Dolibois. "We anticipate that by the time the new congress reconvenes we will have a successor that will be competent and up to speed to succeed Ben."

- Paul Schrimpf

Anderson Out At Rentokil

RIVERWOODS, Ill. - Although details are unknown, Rentokil Environmental Services has confirmed that Terry Anderson, who had been president of the $88-million interior plantscaper since August 1996, is no longer with the company.

Dick Cottrill, Rentokil’s area managing director of the United States, refused to comment other than to confirm that Anderson is no longer with the company. Cottrill will serve as acting president until a replacement is hired.

Turfgrass Book In The Works

ATHENS, Ga. - Keith Karnok, professor, department of crop and soil sciences, University of Georgia, is preparing a book that will describe all turfgrass cultivars that have ever been commercially available in the U.S. The book will include general species information such as adaptation, use, management and data from the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program. For more information, call 706/542-0931.

Tanaka Engines Clear Carb Tier II Hurdle

KENT, Wash. - The hand-held equipment maker Tanaka is the first manufacturer to receive certification for a two-cycle engine under the California Air Resources Board’s Tier II emissions rules. Called the PureFire, the engine incorporates internal modifications and a type of catalytic muffler to achieve the reduced level of emissions.

Jim Elmer, Tanaka spokesperson, said that the new engine will go into production this summer and will debut at EXPO ’98 in Louisville, Ky.

In Business:

• Century Rain Aid opened branches via acquisition in Memphis, Tenn., Alabama and Florida.



• Bayer Corporation honored 15 college turf management students with academic scholarships.



• Turf and Garden expanded into sod growing.



• Zeneca Professional Products announced the availability of fax-on-demand product information.



• Mesa Sprinkler, Horizon Turf and Evergreen Pacific combined to form Horizon Irrigation and Turf Solutions.