The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) has reported an overall boost in green industry product shipments, citing a tax cuts, record-high refinancing levels and a strong housing market as contributing factors.
Shipments of key consumer lawn and garden products increased overall during the 2003 model year (September through August), even though some small-volume categories showed declines according to official 2003 industry estimates released by OPEI.
Shipments for all consumer product categories showed a 5-percent increase for model year 2003 over 2002 with total shipments surpassing 8.1 million units. With growth in all riding categories, including a large increase in rear-engine rider shipments because of the increase in zero-turn models, the 2003 model year ended with an 11-percent increase for all riding units. Walk-behind mowers increased 4 percent to 6 million units but walk-behind tillers showed a decrease of 5 percent to 295,320 units.
The net total for commercial turf care products showed a 4-percent increase in the 2003 model year with total shipments of 228,032 units. The zero-turn-radius technology has continued to boost the commercial turf care industry with an increase of 22 percent in all commercial riding mowers to 141,867 units, which offsets the decrease of 17 percent in commercial walk-behind mowers to 86,165.
The model year for these products was Sept. 1, 2002, through Aug. 31, 2003, and the industry estimates represent shipments destined to U. S. markets only.