In photo, left to right – Ken Hyatt, Acting Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, Rhoda Steiner, Dallas Steiner, Ventrac President, Rebecca Blank, U.S. Acting Secretary of Commerce

U.S. Acting Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank presented Venture Products, Inc. with the President’s “E” Award for Exports at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on may 20, 2013. The “E” Awards are the highest recognition any U.S. entity may receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports.

“I am delighted to be recognizing this year’s Presidential ‘E’ Award winners for their outstanding contributions to U.S. exports and congratulate Venture Products, Inc. on its outstanding export achievement,” said Acting Secretary Blank.“It is businesses like Venture Products that are strengthening the economies of local communities, creating jobs, and contributing to the worldwide demand for ‘Made in the USA’ goods and services.”

“Exporting has enabled us to diversify our revenue streams and weather changes in the marketplace. It allows us to mitigate risk while boosting our competitiveness and bottom lines,” stated Dallas Steiner, President of Venture Products. He adds, “Our products are exported to over 20 countries, with the strongest countries of export being Sweden, Japan, South Korea and Australia.”

 Randy Kitzmiller, Director of Operations for Venture Products said, “Export sales over the past three years have grown 80 percent. This growth has allowed us to double our work force and build a new manufacturing facility in Orrville, Ohio.”  

 Venture Products, Inc., located in Orrville, Ohio, is the manufacturer of Ventrac compact tractors and commercial grade attachments. Ventrac tractors are unique; the design includes an articulating frame, front-mounted attachments, and all-wheel drive traction in a compact design. Since the first release of Ventrac products in 1998, the company has quickly become a leader in the sub-compact tractor market, with their equipment being used by professionals worldwide. More than thirty commercial grade attachments are built specifically for the tractor that allows operators to quickly change between tasks like mowing, rough cutting, trenching, sod cutting, leaf blowing, aerating, snow removal, edging, and more. Ventrac equipment is sold through a network of dealers and distributors throughout the world and are used in a wide range of markets, including golf courses, professional contractors, municipalities, hospitals, schools, and estate owners.

U.S. exports hit an all-time record of $2.2 trillion in 2012, and supported nearly 10 million American jobs. President Obama’s National Export Initiative, which aims to double U.S. exports by the end of 2014 and support an additional 2 million jobs in the United States, is opening new avenues for U.S. exporters through enhanced export assistance and a strengthened trade agenda that is targeting emerging markets and industry sectors across the globe.

 President Kennedy revived the World War II “E” symbol of excellence to honor and provide recognition to America’s exporters. The “E” Award Program was established by Executive Order 10978 on December 5, 1961. A total of 57 U.S. companies were presented with the President’s “E” Award this year.

 U.S. companies are nominated for the “E” Award for Exports through the Department of Commerce’s U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service office network, located within the Department’s International Trade Administration, which has offices in 108 U.S. cities and more than 70 countries to help U.S. exporters.  Four years of successive export growth and an applicant’s demonstration of an innovative international marketing plan that led to the increase in exports is a significant factor in making the award.

We were honored to have our President, Dallas Steiner, be the featured guest on John Allin’s radio show “Managing Snow and Ice with John Allin.”  Managing Snow and Ice is a one hour weekly radio program dedicated to covering issues and topics that affect snow professionals.  The host of the show, John Allin, is the original founder of the Snow & Ice management Association (SIMA) and has been a leader in the formation of the Accredited Snow Contractor’s Association (ASCA).  With over 30 years in the snow management industry, combined with his vast experience, Allin is recognized as the foremost snow and ice industry consultant in the country today.

John’s interview with Dallas covers a variety of topics ranging from Dallas’ role with Ventrac, International sales and how Ventrac is an ideal piece of sidewalk snow removal equipment for snow contractors.  You can hear the interview with Dallas now by clicking on the live recording link below.

Interview with Dallas Steiner Only
Full Show – Managing Snow & ICE with John A Allin. 4/2/2013

Every fall the course shuts down for 5 days to perform what Apple calls “aggressive agronomic practices.”  This short window of time allows the maintenance team to take that extra step to nurture and care for the greens they have worked hard all year to maintain. They use this time to aerate, top dress and mow down native fescue grasses. Every part of the course will get taken care of from the tees, greens, bank grasses and fairways. Located on steep inclines and sloping terrain, most of the course’s native grass areas only get mowed down a couple times a year and they rely on the Ventrac Tough Cut mower deck and tractor, equipped with dual wheels, to handle the job nicely. The Ventrac Aera-Vator helps out with the aeration process on the rough while core cleanup is easy with the Turbine Blower.  It takes many machines to care for a course this size but they depend on their Ventrac tractors to make the process run like a well-oiled machine.

Watch the video for the full story and see why Ventrac is such an important piece to the puzzle of golf course maintenance. No matter how perfect a golf course, the team at the Pete Dye Course at French Lick always strive for a better one.  Great work guys!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ef-gtO2LWpE

Since their beginnings in 1970 as a Ford tractor dealer, Munn Tractor Sales has grown and expanded into the full service dealership it is today by offering quality brands in a wide range of equipment for the outdoor lawn, garden, commercial and agricultural industries.  Carrying over 12 different equipment lines gives Munn Tractor Sales an edge by offering customers what they need at competitive rates.  Munn Tractor also offers equipment leasing and rentals for the tri-county area.   Customers can find exactly what they need whether it is commercial landscapers, golf courses, government agencies, agricultural or homeowner.

Munn Tractor Sales has recently added to their already extensive equipment selection.  While still offering brands such as New Holland, Hustler, Stihl and Woods, Munn Tractor has partnered with the Ventrac line of compact tractors and attachments.  They know the quality and versatility of Ventrac fit very well with their current lineup.  Adding Ventrac will give Munn Tractor more to offer their customers in the way of attachments designed for a wide array of jobs.  With Ventrac’s One Tractor Solution, customers can own a tractor that works in every season and allow them to do numerous tasks like slope mowing, stump grinding, tilling, trenching or snow blowing.  Munn Tractor brought in Ventrac knowing how versatile the line is and that it will provide a need for customers wanting a powerful compact tractor unit with a wider lineup of attachments and features to do all their tasks.

At Munn Tractor, customers can expect honest answers and superior products, as well as quality repairs.  With an experienced staff, the service department is second to none.   Given their long dealer experience the full service department is ready to provide prompt repairs and parts with customer satisfaction in mind.

The company has a website at www.munntractorsales.com for viewing the equipment brands they carry, contact information as well as directions to the store.   But for those who wish to take a look around the impressive Munn Tractor showroom and meet the knowledgeable staff, the store is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Munn Tractor Sales is located at 3700 Lapeer Road in Auburn Hills and they can be reached at 248-373-5000.

The day began early with a short presentation  full of new tools and strategies for dealers to absorb and take home to use.   There was great interaction amongst everyone as highlights of the new Ventrac website were presented.   Ideas on sales tactics, equipment tips and marketing were also discussed.    Ventrac was able to provide some valuable information to help dealers with marketing their equipment with a concentration on specific sales markets.

After a great lunch, the meeting headed outdoors to the Ventrac plant for an afternoon of equipment demos and hands-on training.  Breaking into several groups, dealers and salesmen were able to learn more about the various tractor models and attachments available through Ventrac.   On hand for questions and assistance were representatives of the Ventrac product support and R & D departments, as well as sales personnel.   Eight Ventrac tractors were distributed throughout the demo area, all equipped with different attachments to allow dealers to get the full effect of operation.    They were able to try out new attachments or maybe just one they never had the opportunity to work with before.    Stump grinders were available to demo along with finish mowers, the contour mowing deck and the field mower.    Several slopes and hills were used for testing out the Ventrac’s powerful traction for mowing hillsides.    Several attendees tried their hand on the slope and were amazed at the traction the Ventrac provided as they maneuvered down the hill, stopped on the hill, then backed up the hill with the tractor and mower deck.   It sure was something to watch!   By the way, you can see more photos from these demos on Facebook.

Taking on the slopes with Ventrac

It was quite a flurry of activity as all the tractors were running at once while operators used the brooms, blowers, mowers, tillers and scoops.   Aerators, power rake and terra rake were on hand as well.   The trencher attachment was a hit and the sod cutter gave dealers a chance to try something new.    The new tractor cabs were on hand for all to see as well as the newest spreader attachment which will be available later this year.    One demo area that received a lot of attention was the tractor with the Versa-Loader attachment.   It seemed to be a big area of interest for all.   Many gathered around to see just how well the loader bucket dug into the sod, scooped and hauled away the dirt.  The post hole digger was added for some extra fun.

Tractor with loader and post hole digger

Overall, the day was a hit and we were surrounded with great people and a whole bunch of Ventrac tractors and equipment.   I believe we can say that fun was had by all.   Thanks to all who took time to participate and attend this great 2010 dealer meeting at Ventrac.   We wish you all the best in the upcoming season.

Visit the Ventrac Facebook page for more photos from the day.

New Ventrac Home Page

An exciting newly designed website has just been launched. The new website at www.ventrac.com has dynamic new features as well as additional product information, Ventrac Advantage pages, loads of new video and outstanding photo galleries.

At www.ventrac.com, discover a whole new look and feel to the site.  Pictures tell a big story, and there are more photos and video than ever before.   Inspiring customer testimonial pages feature stories and photographs from customers who love their Ventracs and tell what Ventrac does for them.

Ventrac Advantages pages are new additions that feature key points explaining the advantages of using Ventrac.  Included are highlighted points explaining tractor features and performance like slope mowing, articulating frame, Minute Mount, Finish Mowers and Driver Comforts.

The new Markets section highlights various sales markets like Municipalities, Landowners, Schools, Golf Courses and Landscapers.   These specific sections will help define what these various markets may be looking for and what their needs are when purchasing new equipment.

Monthly Featured Product information is also readily available for viewing with an emphasis on a different Ventrac attachment every month.   Ventrac’s commercial grade attachments are designed and built uniquely for the Ventrac compact tractor and every attachment works like a separate piece of equipment with unmatched performance.

The new website has easier navigation, a wider knowledge base and an expanded photo and video gallery, making www.ventrac.com the place to find expert information about Ventrac.  With a fresh new look and appeal, the website will continue to grow and expand with more content and information, providing cutting edge information for the industry.

Also new for Ventrac in 2010 is a presence on several social media platforms. Follow the latest happenings related to Ventrac on the new Blog and  Facebook Page, watch the newest Ventrac video clip on their YouTube Channel, and follow all these happenings on Twitter. All of these links are available at www.ventrac.com.

Ventrac equipment is sold and serviced through a network of authorized dealers in the USA, Europe, Canada,  South Africa and Southeast Asia and supported by the company’s corporate headquarters, Venture Products, Inc. in Orrville, Ohio.   Ventrac develops highly innovative compact tractor models with front-end commercial grade attachments that serve a wide variety of customer markets from golf courses, landscapers, municipalities, schools, and homeowners/landowners.  Ventrac is dedicated to providing a unique, superior quality product while maintaining the highest standard of business ethics making Ventrac a leading force in the compact tractor industry.

Learn more about  “Your One Tractor Solution”.

Watch Jack's Contour Video on YouTube

Ventrac is the ultimate machine for mowing uneven terrain.  The Ventrac Contour Mower Deck will go where other mowers dare not.

We are again featuring Jack Wiley, who uses his Ventrac Turbo Diesel and attachments to do a multitude of tasks.  Jack sent us a video of his tractor in operation with an 84″ contour mower deck.

The contour deck does what is says it will do…contours the shape of the land.  Jack is mowing over quite a wavy landscape, where other mowers would easily scalp.  Even with so much rise and fall of the ground, the contour deck stays with the terrain with not a bit of scalping while producing a beautiful cutting finish as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=221fEBF2l-k

“It (the video) shows me using the Contour Deck on slopes and undulating areas in my yard.  You will see the deck flex a considerable amount many times–much more than on the typical golf course.  These undulations are due to subsidence over old abandoned coal mines.”

Check out additional turf maintenance attachments at www.ventrac.com

Living in a part of the country where hills, ravines and slopes are part of the landscape, Jack Wiley knows first hand the difficulty in safely mowing these treacherous areas.  Jack owns a Ventrac 4231 Turbo Diesel model compact tractor along with 10 Ventrac attachments and he was happy to share his thoughts and experiences with us.

“Over the years there have been 9 major incidents in my immediate neighborhood where 2 wheel drive lawn and garden tractors have either rolled or run-away downhill out of control.  Some of these resulted in injuries.  With the Ventrac I now safely mow some of the steeper slopes belonging to my neighbors in addition to my own.  They are grateful for the assistance, and I get to enjoy the ride.  For me, mowing is a recreational experience!”

Jack has a real need for his Ventrac and uses it for many different applications and the compact tractor serves as his workhorse as well as being one of his major hobbies.  Besides maintaining his own home, he also grooms the grounds of his church and trails at a wetland preserve, so his Ventrac gets a real workout.

Jack Demonstrating the Secure Down Slope Braking

“The traction advantages of 4 wheel drive are apparent to most people, but I find the secure down-slope braking ability to be one of the most important assets of this type of chassis.”

Jack regularly mows slopes of 28 degrees

Jack raves about the design and construction of his Ventrac equipment, saying it is “outstanding—everything is ‘built like a tank’ and easy to maintain.”

Besides being “just plain fun to operate”, Jack sees quality results every time while using his Ventrac. His photos speak volumes…as Jack says, “It best illustrates the essence of why I am a Ventrac fan.”

Welcome to the Ventrac Blog.   Where stories and adventures about Ventrac compact tractors come alive!

As we blog along, we will talk about the Ventrac tractor, show photos and interviews with Ventrac owners, post demos and videos of the Ventrac in action and just have fun.   The possibilities will be endless!

So,  join us on this blog adventure and see what this mighty compact tractor does, where it goes and who is absolutely crazy about them!

Stay tuned to see why Ventrac is Your One Tractor Solution!