TURNING GREEN INTO GOLD
Reduced Emissions STIHL 4-MIX® Engine Appeals to Pros and Consumers
Release Date: April 2006
Press Contacts:
Anita Gambill (757) 486-9151 or
Terry Kelley (757) 340-7425
All other inquiries:
STIHL Incorporated
(757) 486-9100
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – “We’re a conservation-minded company,” said Mike Simon, owner of Landscape Care Company in Madison, Wisc. “The bottom line is that my generation is a product of the ‘60s. At Landscape Care, we’re green oriented in everything we do.”
Together with his wife, Simon has found that green business is big business. The pair has succeeded by promoting the company’s commitment to the environment— including marketing their use of environmentally friendly outdoor power equipment.
“When our outdoor power equipment dealer switched to the STIHL brand, so did we,” said Simon. “Now, our equipment is more ergonomic, efficient and environmentally friendly.”
STIHL developed its award-winning 4-MIX® technology for select units in its line of handheld outdoor power equipment, including string trimmers, edgers, backpack blowers, extended reach hedge trimmers, brushcutters and pole pruners. The result is equipment with noticeably improved fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, more pleasant sounds—and in some cases, reduced sound levels.
Eco-Friendly Equipment
Prior to making the change, Simon’s crews were restricted in the times they could service some properties. One of its largest clients, a university medical clinic, allowed work only outside of normal business hours or on weekends due to highly sensitive emission sensors onsite. And, the crew could not work in many other areas of the city until after 8 a.m. due to noise ordinances.
Because of the reduced noise levels from their new STIHL BR 500 leaf blowers and noticeable reduction in exhaust emissions from their STIHL 4-MIX equipment, Simon’s team is now able to be more productive and eco-friendly on the job site.
“The response from our clients has been overwhelming,” Simon said. “Plus, our crews have noticed the benefits as well—they don’t have to shout over loud engines or use hand signals to get each other’s attention. And, the equipment is even more powerful than traditional units, so we work more effectively.”
Looking to the Future
With crews that run equipment up to 55 hours a week, Simon is always on the lookout for products that help them work more comfortably and efficiently. Likewise, many consumers are seeking professional quality products with high performance features.
“It doesn’t cost much to recycle, care for the environment or use green equipment,” Simon said. “At the end of the day, we’re just following our conscience. And there’s no doubt that’s the right thing to do.”
Thanks to their commitment to the environment and a line-up of STIHL 4-MIX equipment, Landscape Care Company is turning “green” into gold—enjoying double-digit revenue growth that comes from building strong customer relationships and employing ecologically friendly business practices.
STIHL 4-MIX® FACTS
STIHL’s family of 4-MIX® engines combines the best of two- and four-stroke technology, offering professional-grade performance to high-end consumers and landscaping pros.
Features include:
- Lower vibration
- Increased power and torque
- More pleasant engine sounds – and the STIHL BR 500 backpack blower is a low-noise model rated at 65 dB(A), measured per ANSI B 175.2 standards.
- Reduced emissions
- Environmentally friendly – STIHL 4-MIX® engines are the cleanest running engines in their respective classes ((Class IV engines between 20 and 50 cc, and Class V engines greater than 50 cc) according to data posted on the EPA Web site for March 2006. (For more information on EPA emissions testing, visit www.epa.gov/ttn/emc.)
Awards
- Named a Grand Award winner in Popular Science’s “Best of What’s New” competition.
About STIHL Inc.
STIHL Inc. manufactures the world’s largest selling brand of chain saws and produces a full line of powerful, lightweight, and versatile handheld outdoor power equipment for homeowners and professional users. STIHL products are sold through servicing power equipment retailers from coast to coast— not mass merchants. For more information or for the name of the closest STIHL retailer call toll free 1-800-GO STIHL (1-800-467-8445) or visit the STIHL Web site at www.stihlusa.com.
For information on job opportunities with STIHL Inc., please go to www.stihlcareers.com. STIHL is an EEO and drug-free work environment.
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