Kichler Lighting has announced it is the first-ever national sponsor for interior and exterior lighting for the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway.

The annual fundraising effort benefits St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and supports its mission to advance cures — and means of prevention — for catastrophic pediatric diseases through research and treatment. As a national sponsor, Kichler Lighting donates nearly $500,000 in products for custom-built St. Jude Dream Homes across the U.S.

Through the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway program, ticket buyers have a chance to win newly built, single-family homes in more than 40 cities across the U.S., with proceeds benefiting St. Jude. Homes range in market value from $300,000 to $700,000 and are constructed using donated or deeply discounted products and services.

“At Kichler, we believe in creating products that allow people to see what matters most,” said Brian Nobbe, executive vice president of marketing for Kichler Lighting. “Through this national sponsorship, our goal is clear: to support the St. Jude mission: Finding cures. Saving children. We’re humbled to be working with tremendous builder partners and industry professionals in this endeavor, all donating their time and resources to support the lifesaving work of St. Jude.”

GoMaterials releases business trends report

Landscape material marketplace GoMaterials has released its 2022 landscaping business trends report helping landscape professionals plan and prepare for the upcoming year.

The report estimates a strong year for landscaping services based on multiple growth factors such as housing starts, federal funding and GDP projections. The report also highlights possible supply chain disruptions such as the truck driver shortage and plant shortages that more than 60 percent of nursery leaders predict will continue in 2022.

The report explores how the increase in purchasing power of U.S. households and the $490 million Infrastructure Act will bolster demand even further, while the workforce shortage and last-mile delivery issues could undermine the industry’s ability to benefit from the growing demand.

“Most of the suppliers and landscapers we work with have struggled with labor and logistical challenges, and these will be the trends to watch out for as landscaping demand soars in 2022,” said Marc Elliott, CEO of GoMaterials. “This report breaks down the multiple complex factors at play in the industry and helps landscape professionals optimize their supply chain strategy and pivot for success.”

The full report by GoMaterials is now available for a free download on its website here.

PERC to give away Indy 500 tickets at NTEA show

Fleet owners and managers will have the opportunity to win tickets to the Indianapolis 500 while learning about propane autogas during the 2022 NTEA Work Truck Show, March 8-11 in Indianapolis.

The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) will host an interactive booth where attendees can see how propane autogas accelerates decarbonization. At “pit stops” on the track, attendees can learn the ins and outs of three state-of-the-art engines:

• Cummins B6.7 Propane autogas engine
• Roush CleanTech 7.3L propane autogas engine
• PSI 8.8L propane autogas engine

Show attendees that make at least one “pit stop” in the PERC booth will be entered to win four box seats at the Indianapolis 500 on May 29.

Altoz to expand Minnesota facility

Altoz said it will expand its facility in Red Lake Falls, Minn. A new 62,500 square foot facility is expected to be completed by the fall of 2022 and is the first phase of a multi-phase expansion project.

The new manufacturing facility will accommodate state-of-the-art metal fabrication equipment, including laser cutting systems, turret presses, press brakes, robotic welders, along with a powder coat paint system, assembly and a distribution center.

“This expansion will allow us to meet the increased demand for our commercial mowers and continue to diversify into other segments of the outdoor power equipment industry,” said Dennis Brazier, Altoz CEO.

In addition to the manufacturing facility, the site features a modern, multi-story office building that will accommodate a growing workforce.

PanAmerican Seed continues partnership with Beacon Impatiens

PanAmerican Seed is continuing its charitable give-back to less widely known causes through annual donations on behalf of Beacon Impatiens.

The 2022 Beacon Impatiens charitable donation will fight low vision issues, such as macular degeneration – a disease affecting the eyesight of millions of people worldwide.

To maximize its impact, two charities will receive a portion of 2022 global seed sales of Beacon Impatiens: Spectrios Institute for Low Vision and the Macular Society.

Arborist Safety Training Institue grant applications

The Arborist Safety Training Institute (ASTI) is accepting applications for grants to fund safety training events for commercial arborists across the country.

This grant program, launched by the Tree Care Industry Association Foundation (TCIAF) in 2013, was created to help prevent injuries and deaths in a very high-risk industry where important safety training can help save lives.

Grant applications are accepted twice per year. Funds for these grants have been donated by commercial tree care companies, suppliers, and distributors from around the country.