Explore every episode of the podcast OPE People

Will this new AI tool save you? Will Yosemite Sam boost your business efficiency? Or is AI going to eat all of us? We talk AI agents with experts in software and equipment dealerships. Join us for a near-future discussion on the potential of AI for OPE dealers. 

From mower blade manufacturing to global parts distribution, Rotary Corp. is making a lot happen from a small town in south Georgia. We talk with Chris Roessler to learn more about what makes Rotary go ‘round.

Power-equipment nerds discuss the OPE+ award-winning products, trends and evolution of equipment, and what they’re looking forward to seeing at Equip Expo. If you like the history and future of power equipment, listen now!

I love hardware stores, especially the independent ones in small towns, with the squeaky wood floors, the old key cutter working in the back, and a stray cat inside. But is there a 60-in zero-turn mower? Or just an up-front display of toilet repair kits? OPE People talks with Ace execs about power equipment, service and pro buyers. 

It’s not about Why you should put robotic and autonomous mowers to work. It’s about How. OPE People talks with leaders in the sale and implementation of autonomous mowers. And the story is this: bigger and better business for those who bring autonomous to life on lawns and fields. Listen now for the details.

OPE dealers and landscape contractors are talking about autonomy today, and so are we. OPE People sat down with Exmark product manager Lenny Mangnall to talk about the company’s newest product for pro users. The autonomous Exmark Turf Tracer is out in the market and we were curious to know more about it.

I need to talk with Tom Shay every so often to check myself and my priorities. And he’s a reminder of why the OPE People podcast exists. Tom is a power-equipment sales expert and he’s an interesting human. Tom and I talk sales, customers, employees, and people in general. Join us (until you get a chance to spend time with Tom Shay yourself!).

OPE People talks with George Houle about power equipment dealerships and their websites. How can they get better, what are the possibilities, how much work is required, and how can George help? He works for Dealer Spike, a digital services company in power equipment, powersports and more.

OPE People talks with Jay Gaskins, power equipment dealer, acquisition expert, father, son and all-around good guy. Business succession planning – whether you own a dealership, landscape business, or any other – begins immediately, actually yesterday! Gaskins has run and purchased power equipment shops, and he shares is expertise on the topic, with OPE+ editor Glenn Hansen.

Join Sara Hey, of Bob Clements International, as she and Glenn Hansen talk about family businesses. Her successful business was built on family, but it’s not for everyone. How did they make it work? And what’s the future of family dealerships? Sara knows that topic well, and she has insight on the power equipment dealer world – past, present, and future - that makes for an interesting discussion.

OPE People talks with Chris Regis of Suntek Lawn Care, a technology-focused lawn care business in Florida that is taking electrification to another level.

An event veteran and a relative newbie discuss the 2024 Equip Expo event. Who did what? And what does it mean for this industry? Join us as we discuss Equip '24.

OPE People talks with Amner Deleon, one charged up pro landscaper. Deleon and his team at Blue Sky Green Earth tend to residential lawns in New Jersey using just battery-powered equipment. How do they do it? And why? Listen in!   

The compact equipment market is a hot topic, with more manufacturers going big on small machines. We talk with Toro’s Sam Dando about the market and the evolution of its unique product.

For more than 25 years, Steve Uljua has been working on robots and autonomous mowers. We talked with Steve about his work with Kress today and about the future of lawn mowing in America. Hey, at least people don’t throw things at him anymore!  

OPE People introduces you to Kevin Sabourin, a digital marketing leader, fascinating father, and the industry’s leading ukelele artist – that we know of! Sabourin works for Rollick, a company that provides marketing tech services to equipment makers. He has some solid insights into lead generation for dealers. And he has a super interesting after-work life. Join us!   

OPE People catches up with Harold Redman, leader of Echo Tools, to talk about classic cars, e-commerce, big-box stores and how to balance it all. 

OPE People talks with Jake Segrin, business development manager for Wright Manufacturing and a passionate lawn mower. “That’s my me time!,” he said about cutting his own grass. Segrin, an OPE+ Mover & Shaker award winner, gives us the scoop on working at Wright, and his love of the Green Bay Packers. Join us!  

We talk with the CEO of OPEI about robots, dogs, comfy shoes and more. Join us for OPE People with Kris Kiser. 

I visited Stihl USA in Virginia Beach to get a close-up look at the company’s manufacturing facilities, and to try out some new equipment. Plus, I got to speak with Jeremy Krueger, director of business development. For Stihl, that means Jeremy works with Stihl dealers – all 10,000 of them.  

I got connected to Jeremy last fall when he was nominated for, and won, a 2023 OPE+ Movers & Shakers Award. Jeremy’s level of experience, his ability to understand the dealership business, is unique at the manufacturer level. Listen in and you’ll see why he is deserving of such industry honor.  

On this OPE People podcast, we’re talking about connections, powerful connections. I spoke with Cheryl Mailloux, from Anderson Power. Anderson designs, engineers and manufactures the connectors that enable battery-powered equipment to work. The company works with equipment manufacturers on … well, I’ll let Cheryl explain it.  

Welcome to OPE People …  

First up for our OPE People podcast are two industry veterans who continue to enlighten me with data about power equipment.  

 Eric Voyer is Vice President at TraQline.  

 Dave Johnson handles OEM Solutions, for Ideal Computer Systems and c-Systems Software 

They, and the companies they work with, recently created Dealer +, a new data product focused on helping dealers improve sales through awareness. We’ll talk about why they created Dealer+, and who can benefit from this intel.  

https://www.traqline.com/lps/dealer-plus-dealermagpodcast/ - Discount Code is: DEALERMAG20 - for 20 percent off a subscription to Dealer+ data plans.