Kubota and Echo Announce U.S. Dealer Alliance

TORRANCE, Calif. – February 11 — Kubota Tractor Corporation and ECHO Incorporated announced today a U.S. Dealer Alliance aimed at growing their combined sales within the commercial turf and consumer lawn and garden markets. As part of the alliance, ECHO and Shindaiwa will become the preferred brands of hand held outdoor power equipment within the Kubota dealer network. The alliance also names ECHO Bear Cat as a preferred brand of chippers, shredders, log splitters and wheeled trimmers within the Kubota dealer network.

According to Todd Stucke, Kubota Vice President of Agriculture and Turf Equipment, the Kubota dealer network includes over 1,100 sales and service locations. “We are excited about the opportunity to bring ECHO, Shindaiwa and ECHO Bear Cat products into the Kubota dealer network,” says Stucke. “These brands are well known in the market and they allow Kubota dealers to position a complete line up of products to commercial landscapers and homeowners alike.”

Mike Best, ECHO Vice President of Sales & Marketing, suggests that the alliance is a natural fit for the two companies. He explains, “There is a tremendous amount of synergy between our companies and brands.” ECHO Incorporated and Kubota Tractor Corporation both have parent companies headquartered in Japan, are both known for engineering and manufacturing professional grade products and both target commercial users and large land owners. “By leveraging our common strengths, both companies will be well positioned for future growth in the months and years ahead,” concludes Best.

A series of joint sales and marketing programs will be rolled out this year, at which time Kubota dealers can begin expanding their customer product offerings to include ECHO, Shindaiwa and ECHO Bear Cat products.

About Kubota Tractor Corporation

Kubota Tractor Corporation, Torrance, Calif., is the U.S. marketer and distributor of Kubota-engineered and manufactured equipment, including a complete line of tractors up to 118 PTO hp, performance-matched implements, hay tools and spreaders, compact and utility-class construction equipment, consumer lawn and garden equipment, commercial turf products and utility vehicles.

About ECHO Incorporated

ECHO Incorporated is a leading manufacturer of professional-grade outdoor power equipment for professional and homeowner use. The corporation markets its products primarily under the ECHO, Shindaiwa and ECHO Bear Cat brand names. The company is based in the Chicago suburbs.

Echo Incorporated Announces Tim Dorsey as New President

Chicago, IL – January 6 -- Effective January 1, 2014 Tim Dorsey becomes the second American President of outdoor power equipment manufacturer ECHO Incorporated, a subsidiary of Yamabiko Corporation of Japan. He replaces retiring President Dan Obringer.

Dorsey has worked for ECHO for 18 years in a variety of positions including the last seven years as Vice President of Systems and Logistics.  As a member of the Executive Team, Dorsey played a key role in the company’s growth and profitability over the years.

“The transition in leadership to Tim will be seamless,” says Obringer. “We have a great Executive Team and Tim has been a key member for the last seven years.  Our business has grown tremendously and I expect this momentum to continue and ECHO to grow and prosper under Tim’s leadership.”

Obringer, who has served as President for the past five years, will remain in an advisory capacity for the next year.

Dorsey and his family live in Cary, IL.  He is a graduate of DePaul University.

ECHO Incorporated is a leading manufacturer of professional-grade, high performance outdoor power equipment for professional and residential use. The corporation markets its products through independent dealers under the brand names ECHO, Shindaiwa, ECHO Bear Cat, and Crary. It also markets the ECHO brand through The Home Depot. The company is based in the Chicago suburbs.