The Grasshopper Company earned the Equipment Dealers Association (EDA) 2016 Dealer’s Choice Award for the Outdoor Power Equipment (OPE) manufacturer category. This is the second consecutive year Grasshopper has won this top award as selected by dealers throughout North America.
This year more than 2,300 outdoor power equipment and agricultural dealers in the U.S. and Canada participated in the annual Dealer-Manufacturer Relations Survey. The survey helps evaluate the relationship between dealers and their equipment suppliers in 12 key categories, such as product quality, parts availability, technical support, responsiveness, warranty, and marketing and advertising support.
Grasshopper led all OPE manufacturers in all 12 categories. Survey respondents indicated Product Quality was the most important category when ranking manufacturers. Grasshopper’s manufacturing methods such as robotic welding, robotic metal forming and powder coated painting; plus product introductions like the fold-up mower deck and swing-out steering levers are examples of industry-changing innovations Grasshopper has introduced for decades. “Dealers build their businesses around products on which they can stake their reputations,” said Grasshopper president Stan Guyer.
The Equipment Dealers Association (EDA) has also recognized Toro with the Gold Level Award. Toro’s ratings showed an increase in nearly every key category over the previous year, including overall satisfaction, parts availability and warranty. The Gold Level status specifically denotes manufacturers that had dealer ratings falling within an exceptionally high statistical level in their respective manufacturer classifications.
“We’re gratified by the response from our dealers—and with the entire Toro team for their support and hard work,” explains David Alkire, vice president of Toro’s Residential and Landscape Contractor Businesses. “Much of our success as a manufacturer is tied to building strong relationships with our channel partners—and ensuring we stand behind our dealers with service, support and products that are second to none. It’s an honor to be recognized in this capacity.”
Exmark also earned a Gold Level Award for 2016, its second in a row. "Achieving Gold Level status is an honor for Exmark," said Daryn Walters, director of marketing at Exmark. "Our dealers are a vital player in the overall experience our customers have with Exmark and we work diligently to provide them with the support they need to grow their business. We are very proud of our dealer network, and receiving this award is a true testament of the dedication and hard work of all those involved."
