Takeuchi Hires New Regional Manager Roles
Takeuchi-U.S. has named Jeffrey Baldwin as its new Central Midwest regional product manager and Austin Wells as its new Southwest regional business manager.
Picture of Austin WellsTakeuchi
Baldwin is now responsible for supporting all the company’s dealers and national rental accounts in the Central Midwest region, which includes Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma. He will also train the region’s salesforce on product features, benefits, applications and how to perform effective machine demonstrations. Based in the Tulsa, Okla., area, Baldwin comes to Takeuchi from Vacuworx Global where he served as director of sales in the construction, utility and demolition markets. He managed and optimized the company’s dealer network. Including onboarding, training and account development.
Picture of Jeff Baldwin.Takeuchi
“Jeff’s experience in all facets of inside sales, outside sales, customer service and training position him for great success in his new role at Takeuchi,” said Shay Klusmeyer, Western Division sales manager for Takeuchi-US. “He’s very customer focused, driven and accountable, which are qualities that will help him build strong, positive relationships with our dealers in the Central Midwest region.”
Wells will manage all sales activity in the Southwest region, which includes Texas, New Mexico and Colorado. His duties will include dealer development and recruitment, inventory control, forecasting, promotions, sales planning and goal setting within that region. Located in Katy, Texas, Wells comes to Takeuchi from Bank of the West where he was a vice president and senior national account manager. While there, he managed Takeuchi Financial Services, working directly with the company’s dealer network to secure retail financing and credit approvals. Wells holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Mississippi.
“Austin has a unique background, having worked on the financial services side of the equipment business prior to joining Takeuchi as a regional business manager,” said Klusmeyer. “His experience working with dealers as well as his excellent relationship-building and communication skills make him a great fit as a regional business manager. We’re pleased to have him as a part of our team in the growing Southwest region.”
Bobcat Co. Opens New Aftermarket Parts Distribution Center in Atlanta
Bobcat Co. has expanded its nationwide aftermarket parts distribution center (PDC) network with the opening of a new, 396,000-square-foot facility in Atlanta.
This facility is located in the West Fulton Commerce Park (1850 Oak Lawn Ave.), celebrated its grand opening Jan. 25. It is the second Bobcat PDC opened in the past months to meet growing demand for Bobcat equipment in the marketplace. Bobcat also opened a new PDC in Reno, Nev., in September 2022. These two new facilities join the company’s existing Bobcat PDC near Chicago in Woodridge, Illinois.
"The opening of this new facility in Atlanta is reflective of Bobcat’s growth and our ongoing commitment to providing a level of service befitting of a longtime, industry leader,” said Mike Ballweber, president of Bobcat Co. North America. “This facility is intentionally located in Georgia so we can support the businesses of our customers and dealer partners throughout the Southeast region and beyond, all while providing them with greater parts availability and faster deliveries."
Bobcat’s PDC facilities support same-day order processing and extended order hours, expanded dealer support programs and customer service hours, improved speed of delivery times and additional shipping carrier options.
With the opening of these two facilities in Reno and Atlanta, Bobcat has nearly doubled its warehouse footprint. Between the three locations, Bobcat’s combined warehouse footprint in North American is now 896,000 square feet. The Bobcat PDC facilities are managed and staffed by APL Logistics, with the Atlanta location employing 85 people.
Mariani Landscape Expands with the Addition of Ed Castro Landscape
Mariani Landscape added Ed Castro Landscape.
Frank Mariani, owner Mariani Landscape’s national expansion, explained why Ed Castro Landscape is such a good fit with Mariani, “Ed Castro and I share the same values. Both of our companies originated as family-owned businesses focused on delivering premier quality work to our customers. We also share a deep commitment to giving back to the community, sustainability and allowing our employees to build successful careers while maintaining a good work-life balance. Our shared vision is what makes this acquisition seamless.”
Ed Castro Landscape was founded by Ed Castro in 1992. Headquartered in Roswell, Ga., the company offers landscape construction, maintenance and related services year-round with little seasonality. Decades of experience have honed the skills of Ed Castro associates in landscaping high-net-worth private residences and state and local government locations such as parks, stadiums, airports and governments buildings. Ed Castro Landscape focuses on gardening, turf grass management, tree and shrub care, irrigation, landscape lighting and seasonal enhancements. Additionally, the company provides construction of gardens, landscapes, hardscapes, pools and water features.
Ed Castro is a community leader who was recently elected a foundation advisory trustee at the University of Georgia, where he graduated with a degree in landscape architecture in 1988. The university selected him for his commitment to distinguished service and superior contributions to the landscaping industry.
Rotary Hires New Territory Managers
Rotary Corp. continues to expand its sales division with the appointment of two new territory managers.
Jeffrey Cox, a third-generation Rotary employee, has been named territory manager for outdoor power equipment dealers in South Carolina. Since joining the company 13 years ago, Cox has worked in several different departments including sales and technical services. 
Picture of Jeffery CoxRotary News
Alejandro Rivera, who has been involved in the outdoor power equipment industry throughout his career, will be the new territory manager for southern California. A former owner of a mower repair shop, Rivera grew up working on mowers and other lawn equipment in the San Diego area.
Picture of Alex Rivera.Rotary News
“We are delighted to have Jeffrey and Alejandro on our sales team. Both are very experienced and well-prepared to serve our independent dealers with outstanding service and ongoing sales support,” said Smith. “Alejandro will be an asset in dealer recruitment as we continue to expand our footprint in southern California while Jeffrey will serve our large network of dealers throughout South Carolina.”
Central Turf & Irrigation Supply Adds New Category Director for Drainage
Central Turf & Irrigation Supply, a North American wholesale distributor of irrigation and landscape supplies, named Eric Cummings as the new category director for Drainage.
Picture of Eric Cummings.Central Turf and Irrigation Supply
In this role, Cummings will focus on strategic growth for the drainage category—bringing the best products, resources and training to Central’s customers. Cummings has 25 years of experience in the landscape industry, and he has spent the last 5 years as a district sales manager for NDS. While at NDS, he built a detailed knowledge of both residential and commercial drainage installation. Cummings was responsible for not only sales in his territory, but also education on drainage to both contractors and distributors. He brings extensive product knowledge to Central, but also market intelligence, technical prowess, and an overall grasp on all that goes into distribution of drainage products.
Before joining NDS, Cummings was a supervisor for Stoney Bank Nurseries in Glen Mills, Pa., overseeing both high-end landscape design jobs in the field as well as the forcing schedule for the Philadelphia Flower Show. At Cider Mill Landscapes, Cummings designed and installed planting, hardscape and drainage projects in Delaware, Chester and Montgomery counties. Cummings has a bachelor's degree from West Chester University in Philadelphia and resides in Delaware County, Pa. Cummings is poised to be a tremendous asset to Central’s expansion. His innovative emphasis on customer service within key account management and sales makes him uniquely qualified for this role.
“I’m excited to join the team,” says Cummings, “I am eager to work with all the employees and partners of Central to provide superior service and solutions to our customers in the drainage category.”
The addition of a drainage director to the team is part of Central’s overall growth goal for the company. In the coming months additional hires will also be joining the Central team, including a category director for fertility and other support roles.
