As summer was coming to an end, I had the opportunity to travel to Lake Zurich, Ill., home of the ECHO headquarters for the 2026 Power-On-Athon. On top of it being my first media event, it was also the first event I have gone to on my own. 

Throughout the day, I got a good look at their production process and got a sneak peek of new products ECHO will be launching. 

The Production Tour 

One of the most impressive takeaways from the tour was ECHO’s commitment to sustainability. They grind 100% of the scraps and runners used in production. Any excess material is sent to the shredder to create semi-fine particles, which is then passed through a metal separator before going to the grinder for the regrind process. Once processed, the material then goes to the main central blending station to be reused. 

It was great to see a company like ECHO making a ensuring their process is sustainable. They are actively reducing waste and making sure resources are used efficiently. Seeing and hearing this firsthand drove home the importance of having responsible production in the industry.  

I was also fascinated by the central blending station, which they call the "heartbeat" of the molding operation. In the past, workers had to mix everything by hand and carry it to the molding area, but now it is all automated. The materials get mixed and sent over to the dryers. They have multiple dryer sizes to help reach the specific dew point necessary. From there, everything gets automatically sent to the molding area. 

ECHO's central blending station, considered the "heartbeat" of the molding operation, is one of many stations that are now fully automated. 

The change from manual to automatic was something that caught my attention throughout the tour.  ECHO's central palletizing system relies on robotics to take 3 units at a time to create a pallet, which is then sent to the wrapping section. Watching the blending and wrapping stations in action made me appreciate how much time workers save nowadays. The sped up production lines allows the team to focus on other important work. 

Beyond assembly, I was impressed by their engine adjustment process. They test 100% of their engines to verify they meet strict EPA guidelines. This commitment to quality ensures that every unit is pre-run and fully tested before leaving the factory, guaranteeing that the end user receives a reliable, high-quality product.

Product Highlights

One of the products they introduced during the event was their Snow Thrower Attachment. This attachment works on ECHO’s Pro Attachment Series powerheads. It helps to clear light to moderate snowfall. 

A highlight of the introduction was the live demo where ECHO set up a tent with artificial snow for attendees to test the unit. Besides the product being interesting to try out, it got me thinking about how much easier this could make winter routines. Living in the Midwest, I am no stranger to snow, but shoveling is a task I never look forward to. This attachment feels like a game-changer for saving both time and energy during these cold winter months. 

ECHO employee introducing the Snow Thrower Attachment, which work on their Pro Attachment Series powerheads. 

While walking through the demo area, I ran across the ECHO TM-850S autonomous robotic mower. Although it is not a new product, it was fascinating to see the technology in action. Technology is advancing at a quick rate, and I am always interested in seeing how companies are using technological advancements in their products. I spoke with Jake Vollbeer, sales manager for ECHO robotics, who told me one of the most important things to do when implementing robotics into a dealership is to go out to customers to showcase how the product works. Having a sales team that is well versed in robotics and is able to actively show how they work to customers is the best way to get sales, as robotics is a relatively new industry. 

ECHO's demonstration of their TM-850S autonomous robotic mower included the technology spending the day mowing part of their lawn. 

Technology Advancements in the Industry

The shift toward automation reminded me of earlier this summer, when I had the opportunity to visit M&H Equipment in Litchfield, Conn. for the Rural Lifestyle Dealer’s 2026 Dealership of the Year. During our visit, co-owner Patrick Howell offered a fresh perspective on their robotics department. 

While there are often concerns about autonomous equipment taking away jobs, our discussion with Howell proved another opportunity. He explained that if someone comes into their dealership with an interest in robotics, the dealership connects them with local commercial landscape groups. By doing this, the dealership ensures that their relationships with commercial landscapers stay firm and secure. It is a great example of how technology doesn’t just change the industry, it helps it grow. 

Overall, the Power-On-Athon was a great introduction of how ECHO is shaping the future of power equipment. From seeing the production process first hand to getting a sneak peak at new products, it’s provided me with a productive day of learning. I left with a new appreciation for the technology behind the tools, and am excited to see how these advancements will continue.