5 things we learned at Yanmar's media event

Earlier this month, Lawn & Landscape visited the Yanmar EVO Center in Georgia to see the company’s latest machines from its Yanmar Compact Equipment North America division.

Between the company’s latest CTLs and conversations with executives like Yanmar CE’s new president Anna Christine Sgro, there was lots to glean from our recent trip down South. Here were five takeaways from the visit to Acworth, Georgia.

NEW TO THE CREW

Yanmar rolled out all of its latest machines to attending media, highlighting its compact equipment like its four most recent compact track loaders. The CTLs – TL65RS-1C, TL75VS-1C, TL80VS-1C and TL100VS – range from 67 to 103.5 horsepower and feature Tier 4 Final Yanmar diesel engines.

The models also include several optional efficiency-enhancing features like a work tool positioner, return-to-position technology, self-leveling, ride control and auto 2-speed capabilities. The loaders incorporate Yanmar’s optional SmartAssist telematics from the company’s mini excavator line. Features range from error detection and notification to real-time operational status updates and daily work reports. SmartAssist also includes integrated theft protection, allowing the machine’s owner to set a range from a specific location and trigger an alert if that range is exceeded. A touchscreen 7-inch color display also comes standard with each of the compact track loaders.

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The company also showcased its mini excavators like the ViO35-7 and ViO80-7, and the VT-80 and VT-80 Forestry it rolled out in conjunction with ASV, a Yanmar company. Those machines, along with ASV’s VT-100 and VT-100 Forestry CTLs, all debuted in 2024.

Perhaps Yanmar’s most recent addition is Sgro herself. She joined Yanmar CE North America in April after a stint as president at Reesink Canada Holdings. She also previously held senior executive roles at companies like Caterpillar and Volvo. Her biggest aspiration at the company is to continue bolstering the team.

“To me, what’s most important is people, people and people,” she says. “I can’t say that enough; it’s to continue to attract talent, it’s to build strong teams, and do whatever we can to retain them.” 

BETTING BIG ON THE SMALLER EQUIPMENT

Yanmar CE North America has increased its production capacity at its manufacturing facility in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, over the last few years. It’s spent $4 million on improvements like a 32,000-square-foot facility expansion, a new powder coating paint system, an extending assembly line, laser cutting tools and robotic welding.

A big factor in this decision? Yanmar CE is diving deep into the compact equipment market globally, but especially in North America, where it has had a 50% increase in production since Yanmar acquired ASV five years ago.

“Yanmar CE North America has been really busy over the last two years – almost exhaustingly so,” says Peter Ovrebro, product management director. “The CTLs have really been a labor of love.” 

A LABOR OF LOVE

In an effort to spice up its dealer and operator training, Yanmar CE has rolled outs its Y.O.U. Club. The acronym stands for Yanmar Operators United, and the program offers two main components – a digital platform (featuring events, quizzes, articles, etc.) and on-site challenges aimed to make trade shows and dealer events more interactive.

© Jimmy Miller

Media members were put to the task at Yanmar’s event, challenged to lift tires over a wooden beam with a TL75 or to use a mini excavator to move a basketball off of a bucket. The company hopes its Y.O.U. Club will engage and connect its customers.

SAFE AND SOUND

Yanmar CE’s Ycare Extended Warranty is now offering buyers three additional years, or 3,000 machine hours, of coverage on machines and attachments. This can be used as a supplement to other base warranty programs like mini excavators, which could offer buyers up to seven years or 7,000 of total protection.

The plan levels are now Comprehensive, Powertrain and Powertrain Plus Hydraulics. All repairs go through authorized Yanmar dealers, and Ycare coverage is transferable if the equipment is sold. Yanmar CE has also added Max-Guard, which aligns with a previously existing warranty option for the ASV brand.

“It increases the brand value and customer value of the machine for a longer period,” says Robert Cavin, the parts development manager. 

ROLLING OUT THE RED CARPET

The EVO Center in Georgia first opened in 2017 and was open for a quick tour before the media event started. The 50,000-square-foot facility is a dealership, showroom, company museum and a training facility – all rolled into one spot.

“This (spot’s) technical training for our dealers and sales training as well for compact equipment,” says Jim Fontana, Yanmar Academy Manager. Fontana adds that with rapidly advancing technology and regulations like Tier 4 emission standards, this education is vital for dealers. The team that comes in for dealership training has to understand diagnostic tools, for example, so Yanmar will run engines on stands and task the dealers with identifying the bugs in them.

“We call it testing, troubleshooting, and repairs,” Fontana adds.

The EVO Center has proven to be a site for local events to Atlanta, too, including non-industry or community celebrations. Eagle-eyed observers might even recognize it from the TV show True Lives and the series reboot of MacGyver. The EVO Center blew up in the episode but certainly still stands in real life.