Members of the media and of ECHO's User Advisor Group gathered at ECHO headquarters in Lake Zurich, Illinois last week for the 2024 Power-On-Athon. The annual media event included a factory tour, an award presentation, and the unveiling of 10 new products in the ECHO lineup. The latest product lineup introduces eight additions to the ECHO 56V Battery System, featuring a limited-edition pink handheld blower in collaboration with Susan G. Komen, two new gas-powered units, including a self-propelled gas mower, and a versatile 6-port field charger.
The day kicked off with some opening remarks and a tour of the facility. ECHO's continued focus on vertical integration has continued to facilitate growth for the manufacturer. Ryan Ladley, ECHO's vice president of operations, led the tour and demonstrated how many processes have been streamlined in-house. He emphasized how the company's core values are centered around people, making an investment in safety paramount.
ECHO's Ryan Ladley takes members of the media on a factory tour.
Following the tour, ECHO president and CEO Harold Redman was given the Lake Zurich Green Business Award by Mayor Tom Poynton. This award recognizes ECHO's multiple green efforts.
Mayor Tom Poynton presents Harold Redman with the Lake Zurich Green Business Award.
Some of ECHO’s award-winning projects include:
- Waste Reduction: ECHO regrinds 100% of molded plastic scrap (over 400,000 pounds annually) and reintroduces the material into its molded parts. Even the dust created from the regrind process is sent out to a compound facility, re-pelletized and then reintroduced as regrind into ECHO’s production parts.
- Energy Savings: ECHO’s solar panel installation, one of the largest in Illinois, powers the Lake Zurich plant and offsets approximately 38% of its energy use. The company also reduces consumption with energy-saving equipment, including LED lights and motion sensors, making up over 90% of their facility lighting.
- ECHO partners with Integrated Lakes Management to routinely manage invasive species in and around the wetlands that surround the facility and to ensure native species can flourish.
- ECHO prioritizes its people, featuring ADA-compliant floor plans and encouraging employees to engage in community initiatives, including roadside cleanups and sponsoring village events.
Following the award presentation, ECHO unveiled its 10 new products, all of which will launch in the first quarter of 2025, except for the limited-edition pink blower, which will be available starting October 1, 2024.
“ECHO's legacy of excellence extends over 50 years, driven by our commitment to innovation,” says Wayne Thomsen, vice president of marketing and product management, ECHO Inc. “Since 2017, we’ve introduced 154 new tools, setting new industry benchmarks. Alongside expanding our range of battery and gas-powered equipment, we’re also supporting the fight against breast cancer by donating a portion of the proceeds from a limited-edition pink blower to Komen.”
According to Thomsen, the new ECHO lineup includes a self-propelled gas lawn mower, a category that hasn't been seen under the brand in decades. It also features a handheld battery-powered pruning saw, expanding the company's tree trimming and pruning offerings. And to round out the new products, ECHO is also introducing four battery-powered blowers, two string trimmers, a hedge trimmer and a 6-port rapid field charger.
The New 2024 ECHO Product Lineup Includes:
- DPB-2500LE Limited-Edition Battery-Powered Pink Blower
- DPB-2610 X Series Battery-Powered Handheld Blower
- DPB-5900T X Series Battery-Powered Backpack Blower
- DPB-7700T X Series Battery-Powered Backpack Blower
- DSRM-225 Battery-Powered String Trimmer
- DSHC-2600 X Series Battery-Powered Hedge Trimmer
- DHS-3006 Battery-Powered Handheld Pruning Saw
- LC-56V4A6 6-Port Field Charger
- ECHO SRM-2120 Gas String Trimmer
- LM-2119SP Self-Propelled Gas Mower
