Grasshopper Receives Business Excellence Award

The Grasshopper Co. was designated as recipient of the 2007 International Business Excellence Award announced May 17 by the World Trade Council of Wichita.

The award is presented annually to an area company who performs exceptionally in international trade.  The Grasshopper Company is a manufacturer of commercial zero-turn mowers and grounds maintenance equipment based in Moundridge, Kansas, with current export sales to more than 30 countries.

“Export sales are important to our overall growth strategy,” says Company President Stan Guyer.  “Exporting is a process that requires expertise in many disciplines, from accounting to engineering to production, and we’re fortunate to have a lot of experience under our belt which helps us meet the more complex challenges that export growth poses.”

Dan Meyer of Grant Thornton, LLP, a sponsor of the award, points to statistics indicating “companies that tend to compete well at the international level tend to be companies that do well in the domestic market as well.” He adds, “Noteworthy accomplishments of The Grasshopper Company include at least six years of continuous export growth, and the fact that Grasshopper brings several foreign delegations a year into Kansas, bridging cultural divides as well as promoting our region and showcasing their quality products.”

“Having a product line that’s recognized for quality in the domestic market has been a significant boost for us in foreign markets as well,” agrees Guyer.  “International markets are hungry for quality products from the U.S., and the reputation for being a leader in the U.S. market carries over into foreign markets, where our partners can promote innovative products designed and built right here in the U.S.”

Grasshopper products are distributed and sold on nearly every continent, in nearly any climate one could imagine for grounds maintenance equipment.  “Almost anywhere in the world you’ll find managed turf, you’ll find an application for Grasshopper equipment,” Guyer says. 

In addition to mowing grass, Grasshopper products are used for soil aeration, turf chemical applications, snow removal, leaf and debris clean up and landscaping projects.

The company’s export experience began 50 years ago, when portable grain dryers were first shipped to Africa, Asia, Australia and some 50 countries worldwide.  The company eventually transitioned into zero-turning radius commercial mowers in the early 1970s while introducing several industry firsts, including swing-away dual lever steering, pumps-in-reservoir drive systems, and the first successful introduction of diesel engines into commercial zero-turning radius mowing equipment.

“Dedication to the export process requires extra investment in technology and processes to meet foreign product regulations”, Guyer notes.  “Trade agreements and security requirements also require more diligence in certain areas of the business.” 

Grasshopper has always focused on advanced manufacturing processes, introducing robotics in 1984 and installing the one of the first powder coat paint systems dedicated to turf equipment manufacturing in the US. 

“There are extra costs involved with exporting, but having a value-added product makes the process worthwhile once a certain volume is achieved,” Guyer says.