When Ken Wagner explains the genesis of moving 800 miles from his home in Michigan for a new business opportunity in Kansas, a lot had to do with the fact that his wife, Diane, hoped to one day return to the Kansas City area where she grew up. Wagner, who spent 13 years with John Deere as territory manager prior to joining wood-chipping manufacturer Morbark in Michigan, was ready to do something different when he heard from old friends at John Deere (including aftermarket manager and future partner Bill Kilgore) that a dealership in Ottawa, Kan., had been cancelled. Through Deere's market research, a pin (representing a new dealership) was about to be placed in the map in Baldwin City, Kan., 45 miles from his wife's hometown.

Independent market research has identified that suspension is a highly sale-able feature - one that is now available on 2013 Simplicity tractors. Combined with a high-speed transmission, Simplicity's exclusive, patent-pending suspension system absorbs vibration and uneven terrain, so mowing speeds don't compromise comfort. In addition, by absorbing shock to the user and tractor chassis, operators can take advantage of higher speeds while maintaining a high-quality cut.

Husqvarna has extended its line of articulating riding mowers with the introduction of the versatile R 120S Rider. Like its forerunners, the R 220T and R 322T, the new R 120S Rider* offers consumer-friendly features that deliver performance and convenience for homeowners. It provides a front mount 42-inch side discharge deck which offers excellent visibility and makes trimming and mowing underneath overhanging objects easier than ever.

The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) is leading the path to develop an advisory task force to initiate a public relations campaign to warn consumers regarding fuel with 15% ethanol (E15). The committee will include OPEI member companies.

Schiller Grounds Care, Inc., manufacturer of high quality turf equipment, proudly announces the appointment of Billiou's, Inc. in Porterville, CA as the new BOB-CAT and Ryan distributor in the West. This region includes Arizona, California, Nevada and Utah.

John Deere, looking to sell tractors and lawn mowers during spring, has added "want" and "own" buttons to its Facebook page, allowing consumers to express more specific interest levels in particular products.

It's probably been 20 years or so, but I still remember it vividly. I had just bought my first car and a few days later in the mail I received a note from the dealership along with a small tin of chocolate covered peanuts thanking me for the purchase.

farmers are an articulate group of consumers who share their buying experiences with friends and neighbors. A good part of what they know about products and equipment comes by way of word of mouth from others who own similar products or have had an experience with a specific retailer.

Stihl Inc. is voluntarily recalling about 5,000 chain saws because the throttle trigger may stick, posing a laceration hazard.

Fiskars Brands Inc. has informed state of Wisconsin officials that it is closing its facilities in Wausau, resulting in the loss of 51 jobs.