2024 EQUIP EXPO REVIEW
2024 EQUIP EXPO REVIEW
The Segway Navimow robot line includes an optional add-on trimmer .
Ego showed a pre-production stand-on mower
Several companies showed off AI-based products , data management software and customer management tech . Anything that ' s going to help pros deal with labor shortage will continue to be a focus . With that in mind , I saw a lot of emphasis on comfort features things like heated and air-conditioned cabs , ergonomic features , better seats , Bluetooth connectivity . All those things are going to help the user get through the day with less stress and less strain . To me , I guess the theme there is making it easier for landscape business owners to train and retain employees . That stands out to me ; it ’ s not really something new but it ' s something that we ' re seeing continued proliferation .
Hansen : I noticed a theme and I ’ ll call it “ correction .” A few companies admitted internal business changes and improvements . Kristina Cerniglia , the CEO of Briggs and Stratton said to the media , “ We ' re back and we ' re better .” I asked her what she meant , and we ' re going to talk more about that . But she did say , “ We ’ ve had our problems . Our No . 1 priority is quality , and then parts availability . We are refocused and it ’ s a great time for us .”
Also Andreas Rangert , the fairly new president of Husqvarna North America , talked about the company ’ s internal realignment , telling me the company has made a number of changes in the last year to fix their internal business to better work with and communicate with dealers . There were a few others . Internal adjustments are not surprising , but the open communication can be .
Attendance numbers ?
Kmitta : As the event expands and offers more to attendees , it ' s hard to gauge attendance . The outdoor demo area is bigger and more spread out . They have new exhibits in The West Wing . The Hardscape portion has been around for more than a decade but you know that ' s a draw . You ' ve got education sessions so people are on the 2nd floor . People get more spread out I think it ' s tough to judge .
This plug-in articulating loader is Avant ’ s first battery-powered EV .
showed its line of robotic mowers with the string trimmer attachment , a neat idea . One more that surprised me ; the Michelin tweel was everywhere . Several companies had them on vehicles and Michelin had its own booth . The Tweel itself is old news ; it ’ s growing popularity is interesting to me .
Equip Expo organizers said the show drew 28,000 registrants .
Was there a theme or two that gave an indication of what ' s really important for 2025 or 2026 ?
Kmitta : I ' m not sure if it ' s a theme per se but technologies like automation and even AI are increasingly touted . I ' m seeing more GNS-enabled products coming to market that help with ease of use and reduction of operator error .
22 OPE + December 2024 www . OPE-Plus . com