Tanaka Discusses TLE-600, Announces Corporate Merger

The 2005 Green Industry Expo (GIE) was a busy event for hand-held equipment manufacturer Tanaka, Auburn, Wash. In addition to addressing questions about the re-release of the industry’s only shaft/gear-driven walk-behind edger, Tanaka’s corporate office announced the merger of it’s U.S. subsidiary and International Sales & Marketing.

Lawn & Landscape sat down with Tanaka’s Marketing Communication’s Manager Mark Woodling during GIE to learn more.

TLE-600 WALK-BEHIND EDGER. Since the announcement in July that Tanaka was bringing back the industry’s only shaft/gear-driven walk-behind edger, Woodling says the company about the product’s re-release and why it left the U.S. market in the first place.

“The previous model was the TLE-550, which was on the market for about 10 years,” Woodling syas. “In 1997, testing revealed that the product didn’t meet EPA Phase 1 emissions standards, and even though it was granted a 5-year extension from EPA, we stopped producing it in 2002.”

Since that time, Tanaka has taken the time to redesign the product into one that’s compliant with current EPA Phase II standards and remains unique to the industry. “The new walk-behind edger, the TLE-600, is considered a non-handheld machine, but is certified with a 1A classification, which allows a handheld engine to be used in non-handheld applications as long as the engine is below 70 grams of hydrocarbons,” Woodling says. “There have been adjustments made to the catalyst and carburator, and scavenging ports added to the crankcase, that allow the engine to meet those emissions levels. At the same time, the shaft-drive element of the edger means there’s no loss of power.”

The TLE-600 features a 50cc, 2.5-hp Tanaka two-stroke engine; a 10.5mm solid-steel drive shaft; heavy-duty, two-stage air filtration system; hand lever-activated height adjustment system; large, rounded front wheel; and optional drop wheel/curb riding kit.

Woodling says the TLE-600 got great reviews at the GIE outdoor product demo and that many contractors are happy to see it back on the market. However, one area of the country that won’t see the edger is California, whose Air Resources Board does not offer a 1A classification.

The TLE-600 is set to be available in February 2006 with a price tag of $799.99. The company is currently taking preorders through its distributors and contractors can get the most up-to-date information from Tanaka’s edger newsletter, available through their Web site, www.tanaka-usa.com.

TANAKA, ISM MERGER. Also recently announced by Tanaka’s Japanese corporate office is the merger of its wholly owned U.S. subsidiary Tanaka America and International Sales & Marketing (ISM). ISM has been Tanaka’s exclusive marketing, sales and support organization in North, Central and South America.

Established in 1992, ISM and Tanaka America have served very specific roles supporting the Tanaka product line. ISM handled all aspects of Tanaka’s presence in the market and interaction with customers, while Tanaka America facilitated product inventory and sales.

“This merger combines ISM’s experience and knowledge of the market with our strength and resources to growth the business,” said Kohya Tanaka, president of parent company Tanaka Kogyo Co.

Operationally, all activities and personnel at Tanaka’s Auburn, Wash., location will remain in place, along with all current programs and policies. “From our customers’ standpoint, it will be a seamless transition to a more conventional interaction with the Tanaka product line,” said Jim Elmer, vice president of ISM. “As the market continues to evolve, we must adapt and the timing is appropriate to move forward as one company instead of two.”