Echo and Kubota announce U.S. dealer alliance

On Feb. 11, Echo Incorporated and Kubota Tractor Corporation announced a U.S. dealer alliance aimed at growing their combined sales within the commercial turf and consumer lawn and garden markets. As part of the alliance, Echo and Shindaiwa will become the preferred brands of handheld outdoor power equipment within the Kubota dealer network. The alliance also names Echo Bear Cat as a preferred brand of chippers, shredders, log splitters and wheeled trimmers within the Kubota dealer network.

“There is a tremendous amount of synergy between our companies and brands,” said Mike Best, Echo VP of sales & marketing. Echo Incorporated and Kubota Tractor Corporation both have parent companies headquartered in Japan, both are known for engineering and manufacturing professional-grade products, and both target commercial users and large-land owners. “By leveraging our common strengths, both companies will be well positioned for future growth in the months and years ahead,” added Best.

According to Todd Stucke, Kubota VP of agriculture and turf equipment, the Kubota dealer network includes more than 1,100 sales and service locations. “We are excited about the opportunity to bring Echo, Shindaiwa and Echo Bear Cat products into the Kubota dealer network,” said Stucke. “These brands are well known in the market, and they allow Kubota dealers to position a complete lineup of products to commercial landscapers and homeowners alike.”

A series of joint sales and marketing programs will be rolled out in 2014, at which time Kubota dealers can begin expanding their customer product offerings to include Echo, Shindaiwa and Echo Bear Cat products.

Echo Incorporated is a manufacturer of professional-grade outdoor power equipment for professional and homeowner use. The corporation markets its products primarily under the Echo, Shindaiwa and Echo Bear Cat brand names. The company is based in the Chicago suburbs. Visit www.echo-usa.com to learn more.

Kubota Tractor Corporation is the U.S. marketer of Kubota-branded tractors up to 118-PTO hp., performance-matched implements, compact and utility-class construction equipment, consumer lawn and garden equipment, commercial turf products, and utility vehicles. The company is based in Torrance, Calif. For more information, visit www.kubota.com.