ELEVATE, presented by NALP and powered by Caterpillar, is just around the corner and if you’re curious about what to expect on the Expo show floor, we’ve got the inside scoop on some of the innovations exhibitors are bringing this year.
Featured Products
STIHL will have one of their largest product launches in history at ELEVATE. Roger Phelps, corporate communications manager for STIHL, says the breadth of their battery-powered product continues to grow as well as their battery charging solutions.
“When we’re talking with battery technology, we really need to rethink our SOPs,” Phelps says. “So being able to share with them calculators that we have or energy management platforms so you can recharge 36 batteries overnight without having to install a brand new electrical panel. I think it’s more about helping them with business solutions.”
Phelps says they’ll also have gas equipment, allowing landscape contractors to continue to pick their power.
Aspire will be sharing their newest enhancements with attendees, including recently expanded construction functionality.
Mark Tipton, CEO of Aspire, says these improvements will allow the company to better serve the needs of companies offering bid-build and design-build services.
“Now Aspire users have a complete toolset for efficiently managing long-term, large-scale construction projects alongside their other landscape service offerings, allowing them to consolidate their business operations and data within one solution,” Tipton says.
Aspire will also showcase the latest AI capabilities in PropertyIntel, an Aspire solution which enables the virtual capture of measurements and key property insights, including elevation, as well as the completion of takeoffs.
Stanley Black & Decker, which includes the brands Hustler and DEWALT, will be highlighting several commercial mowers along with new hand tools along with their Mact Tools and Vidmar cabinets. This includes the Hustler 104, Super Z Rear discharge, a Pro-X stand-on, and an SDL Slope Mower.
“The Super 104 is wider than our largest traditional zero-turn,” says Jeff Foster, professional product support manager for Stanley Black & Decker. “It is able to cut up to 104 inches in a single pass. The SDL mows slopes up to 25 degrees and is a true zero-turn in the process. Our DEWALT chainsaws operate on the same battery that your DEWALT impact driver, concrete saw or nailer uses, leading to less chargers and batteries laying around to confuse operators.”
John Deere will also be introducing two, new to market mowing products, including their operations management solution, John Deere Operations Center. The Q865R EFI QuikTrak™ stand-on mower features a new, wider 72-inch 7Iron Pro deck designed to allow customers to get large properties mowed in less time. The Z955R EFI is one of four new EFI model offerings from Deere that offers smoother operation and better fuel performance.
“All of these are a result of keeping in close contact with landscape professionals to understand their needs and provide them with mowing solutions that show our commitment to providing the best lineup of mowers in the market,” says Luke Gribble, go-to-market manager – commercial mowing & CCE for John Deere Ag & Turf. “In addition to the new 72-inch 7Iron Pro deck offering we are also adding a 60-inch rear discharge FastBack Pro deck option as well, another direct result of feedback from landscape professionals.”
Gribble notes that many of the products they are showcasing are brand new to the market, allowing attendees to see them up close and in person before the rest of the industry can.
Kress Commercial will showcase their new CyberTank Lite DC-DC charging system powered by the new 60 V CyberLite Charger and Kress Commercial CyberCapsule.
“The CyberTank Lite DC-DC charging system is ideal for small crews, landscapers with limited truck or van space, and crews that cover expansive properties or need an additional boost during peak season,” says Todd Zimmerman, VP of product development for Kress Commercial.
The CyberLite charger weighs just over 25 pounds and is roughly the size of a small backpack, making it portable enough to go where it’s needed most. The CyberCapsule provides 1.5kWh of flexible power for charging batteries when AC outlets are not accessible.
“With the CyberLite Charger and one fully-charged CyberCapsule, Kress Commercial 240Wh CyberPacks can be recharged from 0% to 100% in 12 minutes or less as many as five times throughout the day,” says Zimmerman.
On the chemical side of things, Envu will feature their new portfolio of cool-season herbicides – Acclaim® Accelerate, Terradex™ Crabgrass & Broadleaf, Terradex™ Quick Strike, and Terradex™ Power Premix — which are proven options to tackle more than 190 broadleaf weeds and annual grasses. They will also have experts on hand to talk about their mosquito control insecticide, Suspend® PolyZone®.
“Suspend PolyZone insecticide offers solutions to help protect customers from annoying pests potentially vectoring deadly diseases,” Mark Schneid,head of commercial operations for North America at Envu. “There is also an added benefit of adding a valuable, profitable service offering to lawn care professionals. By integrating mosquito treatments into existing lawn care services, companies can easily increase revenue.”
Quality Interactions
Visiting the ELEVATE Expo isn’t just about seeing what new products and technology are available.
“It is an excellent opportunity to talk with others in the industry about how they are managing day-to-day challenges that come with growing a business,” Schneid says. “It’s about talking with agronomic leaders to find unique solutions that aren’t offered in a big box store. ELEVATE is where growth happens.”
Foster says their team leaders will be present to build connections and set up demos in your area to make sure you’re getting the equipment that works for you.
“We can take the time that you may not get other places, and especially from the internet or a brochure, to help you with find the ideal equipment for you,” Foster says.
Gribble says their product experts will be on hand to answer customer questions and provide additional insights and promote the advantages of their machines so that customers can truly grasp what a John Deere mower has to offer.
“The story of the viability and benefit of battery can benefit from longer-form conversations that allow for a robust Q&A with knowledgeable Kress Commercial team members,” the Kress spokesperson says. “When people put our products into their hands, they love how our ergonomic design is paired with tough construction and industry-leading technology.”
Those who visit Aspire’s booth can discuss their robust ecosystem of partner solutions and integrations to select precisely what they need to solve their unique business challenges.
“While companies exploring software can find a wealth of information online, it’s always better to learn about software solutions and providers firsthand,” Tipton says. “At ELEVATE, landscape professionals can interact one-on-one with our team, get answers to any questions they may have, and gain a deeper understanding of how Aspire can transform their businesses.”
Phelps agrees that one of the major benefits of attending ELEVATE is landscape professionals can establish relationships with industry experts. STHIL is looking to schedule follow-up visits with landscape companies from their training and demonstration crews. He says this is where they can dig into the business and see how STIHL’s products and programs can help them.
“These types of interactions at ELEVATE are so important because we get to hear from our customers what their needs are,” Phelps says. “Bottom line is, how can we make their operations more efficient, more effective and how can we improve their bottom line?”
Promotions and Giveaways
Another benefit of attending ELEVATE is attendees can take advantage of exclusive offers available during the event.
Kress Commercial will be offering the Kress Power Up Giveaway during ELEVATE with daily giveaways and a grand prize.
Foster says their dealer network offers year-round special pricing to NALP members. During ELEVATE, they will have a DEWALT raffle for those who sign up in the booth.
Schneid says they’re using the event to hear from the industry so they can bring new innovations to meet landscape professionals’ needs.
“We are asking attendees and those unable to attend ELEVATE to complete a short survey and be entered to win a 4-gallon battery-powered backpack sprayer or a backpack mosquito blower,” Schneid says.
Tipton says this year, ELEVATE attendees who sign up for Aspire will receive six months of PropertyIntel free.
Want to meet with these brands in person? Register for ELEVATE and we’ll see you in Charlotte, North Carolina on Nov. 3-6, 2024!
