Articles by Kim Schmidt

5 Questions with STIHL’s Terry Horan

Terry Horan, president & CEO of Stihl Inc., shares his outlook on the rural lifestyle market and STIHL’s evolution into the zero-turn business.

By Kim Schmidt posted on December 9, 2022 | Posted in Rural Lifestyle Market

We sat down with Terry Horan, president and CEO of Stihl Inc., during the Equip Exposition in Louisville, Ky., to talk about his new role at the helm of the OPE manufacturer. Horan joined the company April 1, 2022. He had previously spent 17 years running the Bosch Power Tools group.

OPE Manufacturers Once Again Out Score ‘All Manufacturers’

Grasshopper takes Dealers Choice Award in NAEDA’s 2022 Dealer-Manufacturer Relations survey, with Gold Level Awards going to Bad Boy, Echo, Exmark, Scag, Shindaiwa, Walker & Wright Mfg.

By Kim Schmidt posted on August 29, 2022 | Posted in Manufacturer News, Data & Forecasts

As in past years, the outdoor power equipment manufacturers as a group were ranked higher than their major line, shortline and tractor manufacturer counterparts.

Young Owner Breathes New Life into Florida Dealership

Jeremy Connor, owner of Kioti & Branson dealership Connor Tractor, increased the business’ tractor sales in just 18 months.

By Kim Schmidt posted on August 29, 2022 | Posted in Best Practices, Rural Lifestyle Market

Connor Tractor has only been open for business for 18 months, but in that time owner Jeremy Connor has improved their unit sales, been named to a “40 under 40” list locally and was named best agricultural dealer in the 352 area code.

Duane Nolden of Middleton Power Centers Visits with the Rural Lifestyle Dealer Staff

Another Small Dealer Takes a Hit from Deere

By Kim Schmidt posted on September 17, 2021 | Posted in Dealer News

Middleton Power Center's last day as a John Deere dealer was Aug. 5, 2021. To add insult to injury, Deere also sent out a “Closed” Dealership Notification Notice that simply said “Dealership closed – no replace” to Stihl and Honda on their last day as a Deere dealer.

5 Questions with STIHL’s Bjoern Fischer

By Kim Schmidt posted on May 3, 2021 | Posted in Rural Lifestyle Market

Fischer says a combination of factors — beyond just the increase in home projects due to COVID-19 — aligned for a strong year for business in 2020 and leading into the first half of 2021. The 5 Questions With... series is brought to you by Altoz.

Tracks on Mowers Offer Unique Advantages

By Kim Schmidt posted on April 5, 2021 | Posted in Product Innovations, Niche Markets

Altoz offers a product that is unique to the industry — zero-turn and stand-on mowers with tracks. And while Altoz owner Dennis Brazier says tracked mowers certainly won’t replace all wheeled mowers, they offer a unique advantage for commercial, municipality or farm customers. The Altoz Advantage series is brought to you by Altoz.

5 Questions with Dennis Brazier

Dennis Brazier is CEO of commercial mower manufacturer Altoz.

By Kim Schmidt posted on March 31, 2021 | Posted in Product Innovations, Rural Lifestyle Market

We recently caught up with Dennis Brazier, the CEO of Altoz, a commercial mower manufacturer based in Greenbush, Minn., to learn more about what differentiates the company for the competition and where he see the market heading in the short-term. The 5 Questions With... series is brought to you by Altoz.

Right to Repair Rears Its Ugly Head

By Kim Schmidt posted on February 25, 2021

The folks at Vice are at it again. In mid-February they published an article titled “John Deere Promised Farmers It Would Make Tractors Easy to Repair. It Lied.” I’ll give you a second to roll your eyes.

5 Questions with Kioti Tractors

Greg Bibee and Tim Phillips share Kioti’s expectations for the market and its dealers in 2021 and a new product segment introduction.

By Kim Schmidt posted on December 22, 2020 | Posted in Manufacturer News, Product Innovations, Rural Lifestyle Market

Following Kioti’s 2020 dealer meeting in December, Rural Lifestyle Dealer sat down with Greg Bibee, director of strategic sales and marketing, and Tim Phillips, national sales manager, to discuss Kioti’s new product introductions as well as the company’s outlook for 2021 and plans for the dealer network in the year ahead. The 5 Questions With... series is brought to you by Altoz.

Industry Q&A

Dealers Weigh In On Who Will Buy Briggs & Stratton’s Turf Lines

By Kim Schmidt posted on July 14, 2020 | Posted in Manufacturer News, Rural Lifestyle Market

In March, Briggs & Stratton announced plans to divest its turf product lines, which includes lawn and garden and turf care equipment sold under the Ferris, Billy Goat, Simplicity, Snapper, and Snapper Pro brands.

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RhinoAG Production Tour to Mark 90 years

Lessiter Media editors visited RhinoAG in Gibson City, IL to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the production processes and attention to detail that have contributed to their longevity as they celebrate their 90th anniversary in 2024.

Top Directory Listings

Yanmar

Yanmar America is the North American headquarters of Yanmar Holdings. Ranked #1 in Product Quality for five years in a row by the Equipment Dealers Association, Yanmar provides innovative solutions for Rural Lifestyle and Industrial Equipment customers.

Yanmar was the world’s first manufacturer to develop a practical small diesel engine in 1933 and has continued to push the boundaries of innovation and technology ever since. As a manufacturer of diesel engines, compact tractors and utility task vehicles, construction machinery, and industrial equipment, Yanmar's products are sold in over 130 countries.

At Yanmar America, we are committed to providing our customers with the highest quality products and services, backed by a strong team of professionals who share our dedication to excellence. We look forward to the opportunity to work with you in achieving your goals.

Stihl Inc

Virginia Beach-based STIHL Inc., produces a full line of high-quality, handheld outdoor power equipment including blowers, trimmers, brushcutters, and multi-task tools, as well as the number one selling brand of chainsaws worldwide. STIHL Inc. manufactures over 260 model variations of handheld outdoor power equipment for sale in the U.S. and around the world.