DEALER SUPPORT
Digital tools gain ground
Both companies pointed to digital investments as a key takeaway from 2025. Ignite, which operates a direct-to-customer e-commerce model, said better data and visibility into customer fleets are shaping how parts are offered.
“ As a direct-to-customer e-commerce retailer, Ignite continues to invest in better ways to understand customer fleets and usage patterns,” Pearson said.“ By leveraging AI and other digital tools, we can recommend the right maintenance parts and, over time, provide proactive notifications based on equipment and usage habits.”
Rotary reported similar momentum among dealers using online tools to streamline workflows.“ Whether through robust online catalog search tools or optimized fulfillment and shipping updates, we are working to improve workflow for our dealer network,” Roessler said.
Preparing for 2026
Looking ahead, efficiency and predictability are top priorities. Pearson said Ignite is evaluating how parts and service workflows can be simplified.“ Identifying opportunities to streamline processes and remove friction allows us to respond faster and more consistently to customer needs,” she said.
Pearson said Ignite is broadening its parts lineup to support maintenance across mixed fleets.“ Expanding access to the right parts, at the right time, supports a more intelligent approach to maintenance,” she said.
At Rotary, investments are aimed at forecasting and fulfillment.“ Going into 2026, we’ re sharpening our digital and operational support,” Roessler said.“ We’ re also investing in manufacturing and distribution capacity and analytics to better predict spikes in demand and help dealers balance stocking levels.”
What comes next
Both companies expect parts availability and delivery speed to remain central industry issues in 2026.“ Customers want parts to be available and shipped when they decide to buy, not days or weeks later,” Pearson said.
Roessler sees a broader shift underway.“ The biggest shift we anticipate is the continued blending of data-driven inventory planning with service performance metrics,” he said.“ Parts distribution is no longer a back-office function, it’ s central to dealer competitiveness and customer satisfaction.”
As the industry heads into 2026, the lesson from 2025 appears clear: parts, inventory and service are no longer support functions. They are core drivers of uptime, revenue and customer loyalty across the outdoor power equipment market.
www. OPE-Plus. com March 2026 OPE + 23