Bobcat Co. Kicks Off Park and Rec Makeover Contest
Bobcat Co. launched a nationwide Bobcat Park and Rec Makeover Contest to give one community a $100,000 park makeover.
To kick off the contest, Bobcat teamed up with its brand ambassador and renovation expert Chip Gaines for a baseball field makeover to inspire communities to see the potential in their local park and recreation spaces.
"Bobcat is so much more than machines; we're a team and a brand committed to community and we're demonstrating that commitment by investing our time and resources to help build a stronger, better tomorrow," said Laura Ness Owens, Bobcat vice president of global brand and marketing. "At Bobcat, we're all about building the kind of world we want to live in, and this contest is just one of the ways we're giving back to help communities thrive. Teaming up with Chip to fix up a ballpark in the Waco area is our way of encouraging people to take action in their own towns. It could be by nominating their community for a similar makeover or simply volunteering and getting involved. We want this partnership with Chip and our shared dedication to community to light a spark in others to give back and strengthen communities everywhere."
Bobcat brought its iconic white and orange equipment and a fleet of volunteers to Gaines' hometown of Waco, Texas, to make over a local ballfield. Gaines, host of the hit show "Fixer Upper" and Magnolia co-founder, is an advocate for youth sports, having played baseball growing up and during college.
"I grew up playing ball at local parks, and now, my boys have, too. Spending time outside and being involved in community sports is such a big part of our family's life, which makes me thrilled to partner with Bobcat here in Waco to renovate a local ballpark as they launch their national contest," said Gaines. "It's projects like this that really bring a community together, today but also decades down the road."
The Bobcat Park and Rec Makeover Contest is open to communities in the U.S. with a shovel-ready park and recreation project. Funds can be used to renovate or create a park and recreation space or facility based on the winning community's needs.
Toyota Material Handling and its nationwide network of dealers participated in the company’s annual "Lift the Community Day."Toyota Material Handling
Toyota Celebrates "Lift Up the Community Day"
Toyota Material Handling and its nationwide network of dealers participated in the company’s annual "Lift the Community Day."
On July 1, 324 Toyota associates completed 2,300 volunteer hours during the event. In addition to the impact on the Columbus community, associates from 10 dealerships and Toyota’s Heavy Duty division participated in their own volunteer efforts, making this a nationwide philanthropic event.
“Participating in ‘Lift the Community Day’ is not only important to our associates, but it is important to upholding Toyota’s core values,” said Tracy Stachniak, Toyota Material Handling vice president of human resources. “Our business has the resources and compassion to be a philanthropic leader and make a significant impact not only in our local community but throughout North America. We were eager to expand this event to dealers and look forward to driving further change throughout our communities.”
Since 2021, Toyota associates have participated in an annual daylong philanthropic event near Toyota’s Columbus, Indiana, headquarters. This year, the initiative expanded to include participation from Toyota’s dealers, increasing the impact on communities throughout the U.S.
Toyota provides each associate with paid community service hours to volunteer with various organizations. Throughout the year, Toyota sponsors and organizes volunteer activities on and off its campus. In 2023, Toyota associates donated 11,765 hours to support local organizations, contributing to a total economic impact of $745,721.
Nufarm Appoints General Manager, North America
Brendan Deck will transition to corporate advisory role for Nufarm, while Ken Barham will service as general manager, North America.
“Brendan Deck and Ken Barham epitomise Nufarm’s relentless focus on delivering for our customers and suppliers," said Nufarm CEO Greg Hunt. "For the past 10 years, Brendan Deck has led the growth of our North American business, achieving many important milestones. Barham joined Nufarm in 2017 and brings more than 20 years of commercial experience in the crop protection industry to the role.”
After building and growing Nufarm in North America for the past 9.5 years, Deck will return to Australia in December 2024. In his new role, Deck will continue to support Nufarm as a strategic advisor to the group.
Under Deck's leadership, Nufarm has achieved important and significant milestones in North America. These achievements include the greenfield development of Nufarm’s state of the art formulation facility in Greenville, Mississippi, the modernization and expansion of Nufarm’s facilities in Chicago Heights and Alsip, and the development of important strategic relationships with customers and suppliers.
Deck will be succeeded as regional general manager, North America, by Barham, effective from Oct. 1, 2024. Barham is currently the VP of sales for Nufarm’s crop protection business in the US.
Barham joined Nufarm in August 2017 as the North American customer marketing lead before moving into his current crop protection sales leadership role in 2021. With a comprehensive understanding of the crop protection sector, Barham has worked in the field for over 20 years, including senior roles in operations, sales and marketing, with experience spanning Alligare, Syngenta and Nufarm.
Barham's success at Nufarm includes the implementation of digital marketing technology, an evolutionary approach to customer account planning and the oversight of key product launches into the North American market. Barham has been an instrumental part of a leadership team that has achieved significant milestones in processes, capabilities and growth.
