MTD Acquires Two Innovative Companies: CORE Outdoor Power and Precise Path Robotics

CLEVELAND, Jan. 28, 2015 -- With the recent purchase of two companies widely recognized as innovators, outdoor power equipment leader MTD Products Inc. has strengthened its commitment to help professional landscapers, grounds care professionals, and lawn and garden care enthusiasts push the bounds of what they can accomplish.

Last month, MTD – the parent company of Cub Cadet, Troy-Bilt, Columbia, Yard Machines, Remington, Arnold  and other brands – acquired CORE Outdoor Power (CORE), a Polson, Montana-based company that powers outdoor lawn care equipment with gasless motor technology that produces higher torque and increased efficiencies than traditional electric motors. CORE Outdoor Power's products have received accolades from leading industry media for having the performance and durability of gas engines and the ability to withstand the most demanding commercial applications, while producing zero emissions and very little noise.

Prior to the purchase of CORE, MTD also acquired Precise Path Robotics, an Indianapolis-based company that has brought to market the world's only commercially available autonomous greens mower, the RG3, designed specifically for golf course putting greens. Advanced robotic technology allows the RG3 to travel in straight lines and along curved perimeters without the need of an operator to guide it – enabling golf course superintendents to achieve consistent and excellent course conditions while reducing operating costs.

"MTD is committed to the professional market," said Rob Moll, CEO, MTD Products. "Robotic and gasless technologies have the power to transform the world of outdoor power equipment and we look forward to bringing the benefit of these new innovations to our consumer and trade customers."

CORE Outdoor Power's Conductor Optimized Rotary Energy motor produces high-torque rotary motion at higher efficiencies and power levels than conventional electric motors. With zero emissions, little noise, and torque levels equal to two-cycle gasoline powered engines, CORE technology is uniquely poised to disrupt the market for portable outdoor power equipment – especially when combined with the company's recently developed lithium power cell, which is capable of storing and delivering unprecedented amounts of power in a very small package. The marriage of these two technologies allows for an environmentally clean line of products that will allow for a new approach to the outdoor power equipment market, which has been historically dominated by two-cycle gas engines.

Precise Path Robotics is a leader in advanced robotic outdoor equipment, with patented technologies that will enable the development of a wide range of robots for use in a variety of outdoor environments, including golf courses, sports fields and residential homes. Precise Path's robust and modular system architecture integrates a variety of custom and off-the-shelf sensor technologies that are combined in a unique way that produces precise cutting patterns.

"MTD has a history of bringing game-changing innovation to the market," said Jean Hlay, President and COO, MTD Products, "and these two acquisitions serve to reinforce our core principles and accelerate the pace with which we bring our vision of the future to life."

ABOUT MTD PRODUCTS

MTD is a worldwide leader in outdoor power equipment with facilities in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia producing equipment for both residential and professional markets. Founded more than 80 years ago and headquartered in Valley City, Ohio, MTD's engineering expertise and state-of-the-art facilities are known for innovation and award-winning products for brands including Cub Cadet, Troy-Bilt, Columbia, Yard Machines, Remington, Arnold and other brands. MTD has earned a reputation around the world for excellence in quality, customer service and value through advanced manufacturing. To learn more, visit mtdproducts.com.

OPEI Announces 2012-2013 Officers and Directors

Alexandria, VA – June 28, 2012 – The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) today announced its 2012-2013 Officers and Board of Directors during its 60th Annual Meeting in Colorado Springs, CO June 20-22, 2012.

Officers for the 2012-2013 year include:

OPEI Chairman Daniel Ariens, President, Ariens Company;

OPEI Vice Chairman Todd Teske, Chairman, President & CEO, Briggs & Stratton Corp.; and

Secretary/Treasurer Paul Mullet, President, Excel Industries.

“Our new officers will lead the organization in an important year for our industry,” said Kris Kiser, President and CEO of OPEI. “A variety of legislative, regulatory and market issues will be addressed by the new OPEI Board of Directors, who bring strategic thinking and expertise to the direction we will take.”

Added OPEI Chair Dan Ariens, “The vantage point that OPEI represents is more relevant than at any other time in the organization’s 60-year history. Our members are in a unique position to provide firsthand knowledge of how legislative actions might affect the employees in this industry and the consumers who rely on power equipment products every day.”

Continuing their service on the OPEI Board are:

Immediate Past Chairman, Jean Hlay, President and Chief Operating Officer, MTD Products Inc.;

Steven Bly, Executive Vice President, Echo Inc;

Ed Cohen, Vice President, Government & Industry Relations, Honda North America;

Michael Hoffman, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, The Toro Company;

Michael Jones, President of the Americas, Husqvarna; and

Fred Whyte, President, Stihl Incorporated.

New to the board this year are:

Marc Dufour, President, Club Car;

Peter Hampton, President, Active Exhaust Corporation; and

Lee Sowell, President – Outdoor Products, Techtronic Industries, N.A., Inc.

About the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute

The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) is an international trade association representing more than 84 small engine, utility vehicle and outdoor power equipment manufacturers and suppliers worldwide. OPEI is a recognized Standards Development Organization for the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and active internationally through the International Standards Organization (ISO) in the development of safety and performance standards. For more information, visit www.OPEI.org.

Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) Announces New CEO and President

ALEXANDRIA, VA, Aug 31, 2011 -- The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Kris Kiser as the Institute's next President and CEO, succeeding retiring President and CEO Bill Harley. Mr. Kiser formerly served as the Institute's Executive Vice President and COO. 

Mr. Harley stated, "The last 12 years with OPEI have been a remarkable time. I leave with great pride in our collective accomplishments and the certainty that my successor, Kris Kiser, will not only build on those accomplishments, but also lead the organization to new heights. I look forward to new and interesting experiences and challenges ahead."

Mr. Kiser, an attorney, is a long-time veteran of Capitol Hill having served as aide to international affairs expert and former Congressman Lee H. Hamilton, and is a highly regarded fuels expert and strong voice in the ethanol fuel debate. Mr. Kiser has served as the chief advocate for the outdoor power equipment industry before the U.S. Congress and Administration on a range of issues related to fuels, emissions, manufacturing, environment and water.

"Kris Kiser brings over 18 years of experience in working with associations, including four years with OPEI," said Jean Hlay, OPEI Board Chair. "Kris has a tremendous amount of passion for the outdoor products industry, including its challenges, and has earned a reputation as a trusted and respected leader. Kris will continue to further enhance OPEI's leadership position."

"The Board of Directors would like to thank Bill Harley for his leadership over the past 12 years. He has been instrumental in growing our international tradeshow, among his many other contributions. Bill has added a tremendous amount of value to the association. We wish Bill the very best in his retirement," said Hlay.

A committed supporter of animal rescue and rehabilitation, Mr. Kiser spearheaded the development of the TurfMutt educational curriculum with Discovery Communications and OPEI's Education and Research Foundation (www.turfmutt.discoveryeducation.com and www.TurfMutt.com ). The TurfMutt curriculum is aimed at promoting environmental stewardship of lawns, landscapes, parks and green spaces through a "spokesdog" named Lucky, a real rescue dog and the face of the program.

Prior to joining OPEI, Kris served for 14 years in senior management at two major, Washington, DC trade associations representing the automobile manufacturing and forest products industries. He was Vice President, State and International Affairs for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and Vice President, Governmental Affairs for the American Forest & Paper Association.

About the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) is an international trade association representing 80 manufacturers worldwide in the engine, utility vehicle and landscape, lawn, garden, and forestry equipment industries. OPEI's mission is to bring awareness to the importance of environmental stewardship, an appreciation of the outdoors and how to grow, restore and maintain our every day green spaces in a responsible way. OPEI is a recognized Standards Development Organization for the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and is active internationally through the International Standards Organization (ISO) in the development of safety standards. OPEI is managing partner of GIE+EXPO, the industry's annual trade show and exposition ( www.gie-expo.com ). For more information, visit www.OPEI.org

OPEI Announces 2010-2011 Officers and Board Members

Alexandria, VA – July 7, 2010 - The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) announced its 2009-10 Officers and Board of Directors during its 58^th Annual Meeting in Couer D’Alene, Idaho held June 25-27, 2010.

Officers for 2010-11 include: OPEI Chairman Fred Whyte, President, STIHL, Inc ; OPEI Vice Chairman Jean Hlay, President and Chief Operating Officer, MTD Products, Inc; and Secretary/Treasurer Richard Fotsch, President of the Global Power Group, Kohler Company.

“Our new officers will lend their leadership during what’s expected to be a pivotal year for our industry,” said Kris Kiser, Executive Vice President at OPEI. “As a team on the OPEI Board of Directors, they will bring forward thinking to a variety of issues that our industry is tackling in the next 12 months from legislative and regulatory issues to market issues.”

“The international scope of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute will drive decision making to meet global business challenges,” said Mr. Whyte. “And, we look forward to meeting those challenges through responsible research, design and manufacturing processes that ultimately benefit our customers and the environment worldwide.”

Continuing their service on the board are: Immediate Past Chairman, Michael Hoffman, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, The Toro Company; Daniel Ariens, President, Ariens Company; Steven Bly, Executive Vice President, Echo Inc; Edward Cohen, Vice President- Government & Industry Relations, American Honda Motor Co., Inc.; Michael Jones, President, Husqvarna Professional Products; John May, Senior Vice President, AT&T Global Platform, Turf & Ag Division, John Deere Company; Gary Michel, President & CEO, Club Car, Inc; Paul Mullet, President, Excel Industries; Todd Teske, President; CEO, Briggs and Stratton Corp.; and Dan Wilkinson, President. Jacobsen, A Textron Company

About the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute

OPEI is an international trade association representing the $15 billion landscape, forestry, utility and lawn and garden equipment manufacturing industry. OPEI is a recognized Standards Development Organization for the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and active internationally through the International Standards Organization (ISO) in the development of safety standards. Founded in 1952, OPEI represents and promotes the outdoor power equipment industry and ensures the public may continue to benefit from the economic, lifestyle and environmental contributions of landscapes and turfgrass. For more information on OPEI, visit www.OPEI.org.