Steve Merriam celebrated the opening of their new Northeast STIHL facility on March 31, 2017.Photo: STIHL Inc.
STIHL Inc. celebrated the grand opening of its new 110,000-square-foot facility recently.
In January 2015, STIHL announced it would relocate to Oxford, Connecticut. The new Northeast facility was completed in October 2016. STIHL says this new facility demonstrates the company’s continued investment to improve overall operations and support dealer growth in the northeast region of the U.S.
STIHL’s products are distributed across the U.S. though a two-tiered system, selling products through a network of independent distributors and company-owned branches. Products are then sold by the distributors and branches to authorized STIHL servicing dealers nationwide.
“With over 9,000 independent servicing dealers across the country, it’s critical that we provide them with superior service and support. The new facility in Oxford, Connecticut, is just one example of the kinds of investments we are making at STIHL Inc. to strengthen our distribution infrastructure,” said Nick Jiannas, STIHL’s vice president of sales & marketing, who attended the ceremony.
Because of the access to the I-84 and I-95 corridors which are main routes for deliveries to STIHL dealers, Oxford was chosen for the new facility’s location. The facility is also designed to drive efficiencies to further enhance dealer support and responsiveness. Expanded warehouse capabilities include: improved pick and pack processes that reduce errors and increase productivity, efficient racking and storage systems and 13 loading doors to handle inbound/outbound freight.
Northeast STIHL will be able to provide one- to two-day shipping to most servicing dealers in the region and can now offer enhanced training and technical services capabilities to their dealers in the new indoor/outdoor training facility and workshop.
The Northeast STIHL facility occupies 20 acres and employs approximately 56 employees. It provides services to dealers in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont and New Jersey.
Toro awarded City of Mesa, Arizona, contract
The Toro Company was recently awarded a cooperative purchasing contract from the City of Mesa, Arizona, for use by all 
A full line of products from commercial turf care equipment, construction equipment, landscape contractor equipment and irrigation solutions are included in the of Toro equipment in addition to BOSS snow and ice management equipment.
“We’re extremely pleased to have earned this award by the City of Mesa,” explains Rick Olson, president and CEO of Toro. “Alongside our trusted distributor in the area, Simpson Norton, we look forward to building our relationship with the City of Mesa and helping public and non-profit agencies nationwide access this agreement through the marketing efforts of National IPA.”
After Toro was awarded the City of Meza, Arizona, contract, the cooperative partner National IPA says it will continue to help with the overall administration and marketing of the new contract.
“We’re thrilled to have played a part in this exciting new relationship between Toro and the City of Mesa,” said Ken Heckman, senior vice president of sales & account management for National IPA. “As the lead agency for this competitively solicited and awarded contract, the City of Mesa has established an agreement that will serve government agencies throughout the country by providing them tremendous savings on Toro’s complete breadth of top-quality equipment.”
Thunder Creek partners with Altorfer Inc.
Thunder Creek Equipment and Altorfer Inc. have agreed to make the heavy equipment dealer an official provider of Thunder Creek’s products for the construction industry in central Illinois, eastern Iowa and northeast Missouri.
Photo: Altorfer Inc.“Altorfer Inc. is an ideal partner here in the Midwest due to its extensive experience in the earthmoving and construction markets now feeling the full weight of emissions regulations and the need to manage DEF,” said Jim Hogan, general manager for Thunder Creek Equipment. “We also provide its customers with innovative ways of managing on-site fuel supply and maintenance activities – we see this as a powerful partnership between two great Midwestern companies.”
The full line of Thunder Creek fuel, diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) and service products will be offered by Altorfer Inc. and will also include its line of Multi-tank Trailers (MTT) and Service Lube Trailers (SLT). Altorfer Inc. is based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and has served the construction, agriculture, landscaping, manufacturing, material handling, rental, mining, governmental, trucking and power generation industries since 1957.
“Thunder Creek has made it easier for contractors to manage all of their fluids and maintenance activities in a very turnkey fashion – and the ability to haul bulk diesel without a HAZMAT endorsement is a real game changer,” said Trevor Shanahan, general sales manager with Altorfer Inc. “This partnership further drives home our commitment to provide our customers with new and innovative ways to streamline all aspects of their day-to-day work.”
Underhill introduces MudGuard slip-on filter
MudGuard, a new slip-on filter for Gulp UltraMax Plus Pumps, is now available from Underhill Intl. The company says that the MudGuards minimize clogging and facilitates dirty water clean-outs from sprinkler leaks, valve boxes or other water-soaked areas on turf and landscape.
The company says that the MudGuard easily attaches to the Gulp UltraMax Plus. Photo: Underhill
The company says that the MudGuard easily attaches to the Gulp UltraMax Plus and prevents the pump from burrowing into mud and debris. MudGuards now come standard on all Underhill 36” UltraMax Plus pumps (with 36” or 72” hoses), or it can be added onto existing pumps.
The UltraMax Plus disassembles for easy maintenance and features three models: 36” length with 36” or 72” hose; 21” length with 18” hose; and 12 oz syringe.
Replacement parts for the o-ring and wiper seal, head assembly and intake foot/filter, and all parts are removable for maintenance.
The UltraMax Plus features an ergonomically-designed handle and is constructed with an aluminum grade pump shaft and a clear, heavy-duty high strength polycarbonate cylinder body. The company says the UltraMax Plus also features a sure-fit discharge hose connector that stays intact during all clean outs.
Underhill manufactures a line of turf care products that includes the Mirage Series Long-Throw Sprinklers, Flo-Pro Injection Systems, Wetting Agents, Profile Solid Metal Nozzles, 2Wire Controllers and Converters and more.
The company’s headquarters is in Mission Viejo, California, and has been in business for 36 years.
