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- [00:00]
Unknown Hiker 1
Awkward time to ask this, but. Hey, did you download the trail map?
- [00:04]
Unknown Hiker 2
Yeah, no, I don't need to.
- [00:06]
Unknown Hiker 1
I don't understand. You're trusting your signal out here.
- [00:08]
Unknown Hiker 2
I'm trusting T Mobile. They have the best network. And if we end up in bumtots nowhere, well, we've got T Satellite for backup. Whoa.
- [00:15]
Unknown Hiker 1
I don't trust my carrier that much.
- [00:17]
Unknown Hiker 2
We'll just use your phone as a flashlight.
- [00:21]
T-Mobile Announcer
With America's best network and T Satellite, we're keeping you connected in places you never thought possible. And if you switch today, you get free phones for zero down and only 25 bucks a month per line for four. Find out more@t mobile.com or visit your local store.
- [00:37]
T-Mobile Legal Disclaimer
Best Mobile Network Based on analysis by Ooklev Speed Test Intelligence data to age 2025 with 24 monthly bill credits and 4 eligible port ins on essentials for well qualified customers with autopay plus taxes, fees and $35 connection charge per line credits and in balance 2 if you pay off earlier, cancel contact US Finance Agreement example $299.99 Moto Edge 5G required T Satellite available with compatible device in most outdoor areas in the US where you can see the sky included with experience beyond or $10 a month. However, news monthly cancel anytime visit t mobile.com
- [01:04]
Paul Jamison
hello and welcome to the Green Industry Podcast, your go to guide for building a more profitable and thriving lawn care and landscaping business. Your host Paul Jamison is the author of five best selling books including Cut that Grass and make that Cash and his latest Level up your Money all available on Amazon and Audible. Now get ready for more expert insights and practical strategies to boost your business and level up your life. Here's Paul Jameson.
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Podcast Host
Welcome to today's podcast episode.
- [01:43]
Podcast Co-host / Interviewer
We have Chris Rector from Relco joining us on today's program. Lots to talk about what's coming on
- [01:49]
Podcast Host
at the Equip Expo.
- [01:51]
Podcast Co-host / Interviewer
What's coming up at the Equip Expo? The Guinness World Records and a lot of people are wondering what happened to Kohler engines. It's Relco now. Rumors swirling around. Folks, we're going to go straight to the horse's mouth. Chris and I'd like to come right
- [02:05]
Podcast Host
out of the gate.
- [02:05]
Podcast Co-host / Interviewer
Can you explain in layman's terms what happened from Kohler engines to Roco?
- [02:12]
Chris Rector
Yeah, absolutely. So Paul one, thank you very much to you and your audience for for giving me an opportunity to speak with you today. So how did Kohler engines become Relco? I'll talk about the why and I'll talk about what that Feels like today the why Kohler Company, A very large company, into multiple different businesses. The big two that we'll talk about here today would be the plumbing business. People are very familiar with the plumbing side of the world. And then the power business as the company was getting larger and larger. And those two businesses really don't connect to each other, as you can imagine. Generators don't have a whole lot to do with your kitchen faucet. They're totally different animals. As that became more obvious of these two large businesses don't really connect with each other. The Kohler family made a decision that their focus was on the plumbing side and they wanted to allow the power business to continue to flourish and expand. And they knew in order to allow that to happen, they had to divest it, had to sell it off and give it the proper leadership that it needed to grow, proper focus. So they made that choice. So this was simply that. So Kohler family made the choice to sell off the power business. The Kohler family is still a partial owner in the new business in Relco. Then we were sold off to Platinum Equity. Platinum Equity, Private Equity. Ooh, that word scares a lot of people as they think about it. But I would tell you that Platinum equities philosophies and driving for growth and reinvesting in the businesses and really running businesses to make them really good companies, not to tear them apart and sell them off bit by bit. Other companies that your audience might be aware of that are owned by Platinum Equity, Oregon Tool has been owned by Platinum Equity for several years. Club Car for several years, even the Detroit Pistons as we talk about just good old American sports. Right? So how does that feel? How did that change? And I'll give you my own personal side of that. I'm a 21 year employee, so I spent 19 years with Kohler Co. And now I've been with Relco for a little over two. As we made that transition when we transitioned, the way I would phrase it to people was same people, same products, same service. Other than the name on my shirt, nothing else changed. My team completely stayed the same. The products were still the same, our processes were the same. Now with the reinvestment strategy of Platinum, I would say it's same people, same service, new products. And that demonstrates that Platinum is not tearing this company apart and selling it piece by piece. Platinum is reinvesting in this business. We are growing, we're getting new energy, we're gaining focus into what we do into our customers. And it's really allowing us to take Off. So this has been. And Platinum Equity is an American company.
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T-Mobile Legal Disclaimer
Mm.
- [05:25]
Chris Rector
It's an American investment firm. So we are poised for the future. And great things are coming out.
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T-Mobile Announcer
You.
- [05:34]
Chris Rector
You mentioned the. Some of our new products. We've got the 41 horsepower that's launching. We'll be launching a refresh on our command. Twin 747 displacement, you know, specific to the turf space. Just some really great things are coming out. Yeah.
- [05:48]
Podcast Co-host / Interviewer
And I rode the mower at the world records, Guinness World Records attempt in Louisville with that 41 horsepower unit on the mower. And it had rained pretty much, like, as I was flying in, I was like, oh, man. Because I flew in on Saturday and I had a big commitment on Sunday. So I was like. I told Francesca and the team, like, I'm only here, like, there's no backup plan for me because I had another big commitment in another state the next day. And it was raining, so I was like, I don't know how we're going to pull this off. So it literally rained in Louisville and then the lightning went away and the sun came out and they're like, all right, we're going to cut. So it's tall, wet, you know, good old grass in Kentucky. And it, you know, broke the. The record. And then afterwards they let me play around with it a little bit and it was. It was very, very, very powerful engine, for sure, against tall, wet grass, which is the toughest, toughest to tackle. So it was very impressive.
- [06:45]
Chris Rector
It's absolutely one of those products that you have to put your. Put yourself in the seat. Right. You have to have the seat time in it to truly experience it and truly feel it. We can show you torque curves and horsepower curves, all of the data, but until you feel it, that's. That's when you're.
- [07:01]
Podcast Co-host / Interviewer
Well. And especially on wet grass, which I don't recommend mowing wet grass. I prefer to cut it when it's dry, but it usually bogs down and it's. Just cut it like butter. It was, it was, it was awesome.
- [07:13]
Chris Rector
Yeah. Excellent. No, it's.
- [07:14]
Paul Jamison
That's.
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Chris Rector
That's good to hear. You're. You're having the same experience that I've had with that product. Yes.
- [07:19]
Podcast Co-host / Interviewer
Now, I've been to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, multiple times and got to tour the factory and, you know, hang out down there. So how is that, the manufacturing and the creating of, you know, where you guys make your product? Is that changing now that it's going to Rolco or is that still active down there?
- [07:41]
Chris Rector
No, all of our Manufacturing facilities, even, all, even the office spaces have all remained the same as we've gone from Kohler to Roko. And quite literally my office didn't change. I still report to a building in Kohler, Wisconsin that it's now part of Roco. But that's what I mean by, that's how little things have changed from that perspective. The gas engines, the twins are still built in Hattiesburg, Mississippi by a very dedicated and passionate team down there. And none of that great.
- [08:13]
Podcast Co-host / Interviewer
Now with the warranty, can you share on the. I think it's the Command Pro 888. But what, what, what's the warranty you guys have going on?
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Chris Rector
Couple things I'll mention on warranty. So our standard warranty is three years. The Command Pro 888 comes out with a five year warranty. And that's, that's, that's us putting our, our faith behind and putting our money where our mouth is, if you will, on that product. That we are that confident in that motor, that we've designed it correctly, we've tested it, we've tested it to diesel test standards, which is that's the first gasoline engine in our portfolio that we've adopted our diesel test standards from acquiring Lamborghini and learning about the diesel industry to our gasoline engine. So it's a very robust product and therefore we feel we can put that five year warranty behind it. Now, even for your audience that's potentially buying something that doesn't have the 888, there is an option for an extended warranty. So again I mentioned it's a three year standard warranty. If you're buying a piece of equipment with a Relco engine or even buying a Relco engine as a repower, ask your dealer about purchasing a service kit. So there's service kits and there's maintenance kits. Ask them about purchasing a service kit and registering the engine. You do those two things, you get a free one year extended warranty. Nice. You're buying parts that you're going to need anyway. You're talking about oil and filters and these sorts of things, spark plugs. You're going to need them anyway. And you're getting that one year extended warranty. It's really a great opportunity for users.
- [09:59]
Podcast Co-host / Interviewer
Totally. Well, I know with you being at Kohler for 19 years, Roco at 2. I'm assuming you've had many trips to Louisville, Kentucky for the GIE Expo, which is now the Equip Expo. How long have you been going to Gie now?
- [10:16]
Chris Rector
Equip I haven't actually sat down and added them up. I'm going to, I didn't start going to Expo right away, so I'm going to say the better part of 15 years.
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Unknown Hiker 2
Wow.
- [10:27]
Chris Rector
So I've seen that, that go change quite a bit over the years.
- [10:29]
Podcast Co-host / Interviewer
Yeah. And I mean it's, I feel I was, we, we had Chris Kaiser from the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute on the program working while we were in Louisville with the Guinness World Records and he has just explained to us that the attendance keeps growing, the show is sold out. I know you guys got your indoor booth, your outdoor booth, but if new manufacturers wanted to grab a spot on the showroom floor, they can't. It's, it's literally waiting, you know, waiting list only. So the numbers are, you know, very incredible because most trade shows, and I live next to a convention center down here in Florida, most trade shows are actually on the decline and the Equip Expo is actually growing year after year. So I guess over the 15 years what has been your. Because I've been going for eight, I think eight years. So about half the time you've been going. But what have you kind of noticed as an attendee? And I know it's probably a work trip for you, but I'm sure you pick up on what, you know, the popularity and the momentum of Equip Expo.
- [11:33]
Chris Rector
The, and I give a lot of credit to Chris for this. When I started it was a very large show. It was very full. So 15 years ago it was all equipment. The equipment manufacturers maybe even had larger booths, the engine manufacturers had larger booths. It was all equipment. And what, you know, how that expo is laid out, it went all the way around that, that L corner and then through the Great Recession and well, even post Great Recession, as you talked about trade shows getting smaller and smaller, I did see that show shrink back around the corner. And then what I think Expo did such a great job with is expanding it and thinking, who's the attendee? The attendee is the landscaper. Yes, they're interested in equipment, yes, they're interested in engines, but they do all sorts of other things. And they started bringing in hardscape and bringing in other, other products, other, other industries almost that are very relevant to the landscapers. So if you're a professional landscaper, it is a one stop shop for you to see everything that you're interested in, everything that you need. And the energy of that show, the outdoor booth is something so unique to Expo that so many trade shows don't have to Be able to go put yourself in the seat and demo the equipment. Yes. You can't actually cut. We don't have blades on, but you can go play with the controls. You can understand how it feels. You can get yourself so much experience if you're looking to make a purchasing decision.
- [13:07]
Podcast Co-host / Interviewer
And will that 41 horsepower engine be on your outdoor demo area?
- [13:12]
Chris Rector
Yes, yes, we will have the 41 on the demo area.
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Podcast Co-host / Interviewer
That's great. And what else will you guys have out there at the demo area?
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T-Mobile Announcer
We'll have.
- [13:21]
Chris Rector
The new Command twin will be out there. So the Command Pro 747 that we are relaunching, it's a refresh on the engine that so many people have had great experience with over the years. It was time for that engine to be refreshed. Very turf centric. We'll have 7,000 series out on there that'll be rebranded as Command. Um, and then of course, various other products on display, but those would be the primary ones in the, in the outdoor booth area.
- [13:54]
Podcast Co-host / Interviewer
Nice. And we'll be podcasting probably from your indoor booth because the audio is typically a little better. You know, sometimes it's windy or loud outside and, and things of that nature. But we'll be, we'll be in the Railco booth indoors at Equip Expo. We interviewed Eric Fontaine last year at the show and I'm not sure exactly who will be interviewing this year at the show, but I know I have some time blocked off to bring the podcast and board over to your booth and, and be hanging out with your team there. So is there anything we're leaving out here that that needs addressed?
- [14:32]
Chris Rector
Biggest thing I would say is that if for any of your audience attending expo, come see us, not only the outside booth and get, get yourself the experience at that 41 that we were talking about earlier. Coming to the inside booth. My responsibility is the aftermarket parts and service side of the business. And we've got a lot to talk about in terms of the value of genuine parts. The why genuine story. We talked about the one year extended warranty that comes with the service kits we're relaunching with a new manufacturer for our oils. There's a lot going on in the parts side of the world just to help you protect your investment. Mowers are getting more and more expensive. What was a $10,000 mower only a few years ago is now more of a 13, 14, $15,000 mower today. This is becoming a major purchase. So we're coming up with ways that your audience can continue to protect that investment, like I said, and keep their uptime going, their downtime to a minimum.
- [15:34]
Podcast Co-host / Interviewer
Thank you, Chris. I think we covered it all. It's the same people, it's the same service, it's the same products with a mixture of some new, you know, the 41 horsepower product and, and some new products, you know, coming down the pipeline here. But you got outdoor booth at Equip Expo. You got the indoor booth at Equip Expo. You guys can come get your hands on this and, you know, take a look at it and everything like that. So I appreciate your time. And I heard we're recording this in the summer. I'm a big golfer, so I heard you guys. Well, I know you guys have some incredible golf courses up there, you know, where they had Wesley Straits and I forget the name of the other one.
- [16:13]
Chris Rector
Black Wolf Run.
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Podcast Co-host / Interviewer
Black Wolf Run. Are you a golfer?
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Chris Rector
I enjoy the game. I don't know if I could claim to be a golfer. I got you.
- [16:21]
Podcast Co-host / Interviewer
Well, you have some world famous courses in your backyard, so. Very, very popular golf course. I've never been, I've never been to, to them, but I, I'm an avid golfer and I know Wisconsin's, you know, got some famous golf courses, so.
- [16:36]
Chris Rector
Well, you're gonna have to get up here pretty soon in the next. We're only three, four months from potentially snow flying again.
- [16:42]
T-Mobile Announcer
Oh, man.
- [16:43]
Podcast Co-host / Interviewer
That's why I, I'm, I, I, I'm not a snowbird. I just permanently move to Florida. So a lot, a lot of snowbirds come down and vacation in the winter. I just, I just live here full time. I, I don't like the snow and I don't like cold.
- [16:54]
Chris Rector
So. No. The last thing I would say, Paul, is just for your audience, for any of your audience that are servicing dealers, thank you very much for taking care of the users and continuing to support this industry. For those in your audience that are landscapers, you are the lifeblood of this industry. Don't anybody tell you different. We really appreciate what you do. It's a lot of hard work. You're out there in the sun. You're out there. Sometimes you're out there in the rain because you're trying. Even though we maybe don't recommend cutting that, that wet grass so often that they have to do what they have to do to get it done. And I appreciate all of them totally.
- [17:33]
Podcast Co-host / Interviewer
Well, safe travels to Louisville and we'll see you soon at the 2026 Equip Expo. Are you serious about leveling up your lawn Care business this year. Then you need to be in Louisville,
- [17:47]
Podcast Host
Kentucky from October 20th through 23rd for the equip Expo. This is the super bowl of our industry, featuring 30 acres of outdoor demos where you can test the latest gear from every major manufacturer. Don't be the pro who pays $120 at the gate. Go to the link in the show notes right now. Use promo code Paul at checkout and
- [18:07]
Podcast Co-host / Interviewer
you'll save 50% off.
- [18:09]
Podcast Host
That's half off your registration. Locking in your pass for as you long as as $12.50. Don't wait. Register today at the link in the show notes. Use promo code Paul.
- [18:20]
Podcast Co-host / Interviewer
You'll save half off and I hope to see you soon in good old Louisville, Kentucky.
- [18:26]
Podcast Host
Your lawn care business deserves to be seen. Footbridge Media crafts optimized mobile ready websites to put you ahead. These guys are great. That's why they have so many five star reviews. They're simply the best. To get started with Footbridge Media and have them create you a banger of a website, visit today's Show Notes, click on that link and let Footbridge Media transform your online presence. Have you ever felt like you're drowning in scattered quotes, schedules and chasing payments that never come easy? I've been there with you. I used to be a truck in the truck, completely disorganized and constantly chasing payments. But then I started using jobber back in 2019 and it was a complete game changer for my business. Still using it today. I love it and recommend it to all my coaching clients. Now Jobber is an all in one business app software where you can store customer information, send quotes and invoices, schedule your appointments and even collect payments. Best of all, you know I talk about this a lot on the podcast. You can save a credit card on file for automatic and hassle free payments. No more awkward follow ups or lost money. You ready to simplify your business operations? Check the link in the show notes and use my special Jobber link and try it for free. You won't look back.
- [19:50]
Podcast Co-host / Interviewer
Well, thanks for listening to today's program. If you're going to the big TRO Equip Expo, Louisville, Kentucky. Don't forget to get half off your ticket with the promo code Paul. My first year going, I didn't know. Well actually there wasn't even a promo copal first year but there were, there was an actual promo code. Naylor had one the first year and I didn't know that and so I paid full price like a dummy and I waited in this long line to Pay full price. Because I. I didn't even get my ticket on the Internet before the trade show, so. And then I stay at the Red Roof Inn, and my first year, I made so many mistakes my first year going to Equip. But anyway, don't make those mistakes yourself. Whether this is your first year going to the Equip Expo or you've been going for a while, I highly recommend this show. It will change your perspective of how big the lawn care landscaping industry is. You're going to see so many other professionals who are serious about earning a living, running a business, successfully, being profitable, doing things the right way, and it's just, you got to kind of experience it. And then what happened for me, my first year going back, I went back into my business and I just. I had a swagger, pep in my step, a confidence, a bigger vision. And then the most important thing was I started cultivating relationships. When you get to meet people in person, you know, John Paj and Naylor and Tony Rudolph and, and, and all these people, I could name 15, 20, 25, 30 people that come to mind. Mitchell Gordy and, And whatnot. And now your friends for life. I mean, you just, you know, there's ebbs and flows to relationships, but in my opinion, in person is the best. You know, I, I mean, it's good to text or some of y' all send Instagram reels to each other. They're funny and stuff like that and, you know, can FaceTime and phone call and all that stuff, but there's something special about being in person. And so anyway, Equip Expo is a place to do that link to register for equips in the show notes. And of course, when you're filling out your form and it ask for promotional code, type in Paul and you'll get half off your ticket. Alrighty, thanks for listening. We'll hope to catch you on the next episode.
- [22:25]
Paul Jamison
Hey, it's Marty, producer of the Green Industry podcast. This episode is over, but check the episode notes for links to products and services that you heard about during the episode. And thanks for listening.
- [22:37]
Unknown Hiker 1
Awkward time to ask this, but. Hey, did you download the trail map?
- [22:41]
Unknown Hiker 2
Yeah, no, I don't need to.
- [22:43]
Unknown Hiker 1
I don't understand. You're trusting your signal out here.
- [22:45]
Unknown Hiker 2
I'm trusting T Mobile. They have the best network. And if we end up in bumtots nowhere, well, we've got T Satellite for backup.
- [22:52]
Paul Jamison
Whoa.
- [22:52]
Unknown Hiker 1
I don't trust my carrier that much.
- [22:54]
Unknown Hiker 2
We'll just use your phone as a flashlight.
- [22:58]
T-Mobile Announcer
With America's best network and T Satellite. We're keeping you connected in places you never thought possible, and if you switch today, you get free phones for zero down and only 25 bucks a month per line for four lines. Find out more@t mobile.com or visit your local store.
- [23:14]
T-Mobile Legal Disclaimer
Best Mobile Network Based on analysis by Ooklab speed test intelligence data 2H 2025 with 24 monthly bill credits and 4 eligible port ins on essentials for well qualified customers with auto pay taxes fees and 35 connection charge per line credits and imbalance due if you pay off earlier. Cancel Contact Us Finance Agreement example 299.99 Moto Edge 5G required T Satellite available with compatible device in most outdoor areas in the US where you can see the sky included with experience beyond $10 a month, however. News Monthly Cancel anytime. Visit t mobile.com.