Green Industry Excellence Awards Presented at GIE+EXPO 2009

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - The winners of the annual Yard & Garden Dealers in Excellence and PRO Magazine Pros in Excellence Awards were announced October 30 at the GIE+EXPO in Louisville, Ky., the Green Industry's premier event. The awards are sponsored by Ariens Company, STIHL Inc., Yard & Garden magazine, PRO Magazine and GIE+EXPO.

This year's Yard & Garden Dealers in Excellence winners are:

• Stockton Power Equipment in Sheridan, Ark.
• Maximum Outdoor Equipment & Service in Wichita, Kan.

This year's PRO Magazine Pros in Excellence winners are:

• Landscape America in Wrentham, Mass.
• Grant & Power Landscaping in West Chicago, Ill.

"The awards are designed to recognize some of the industry's top lawn equipment dealers and landscape contractors who achieve the highest level of service and professionalism," said Gregg Wartgow, editor-in-chief of Yard & Garden and PRO Magazine.

"Ariens Company is proud to be a sponsor of the awards, and to support the continued growth and recognition of leaders in the industry," said Carol Dilger, corporate media manager at Ariens Company.

"There is no doubt that the Green Industry is experiencing significant challenges, which makes the accomplishments of these companies that much more significant," said Roger Phelps, promotional communications manager for STIHL Inc. "They are truly the best of the best, exemplifying business best practices, and it is a pleasure to recognize them for their success."

Nominations for the 2010 Green Industry Excellence Awards are being accepted now. If you have a lawn equipment dealer or professional landscape contractor in mind, send an email to editor@greenindustrypros.com.

For a closer look at this year's Green Industry Excellence Award winners, along with each of the runners-up, visit www.yardngarden.com and www.promagazine.com and click on the Excellence Award logos.

Yard & Garden magazine covers critical business information for the independent outdoor power equipment retailer. Readership includes the owners and managers of full-service outdoor power equipment dealerships serving both commercial and residential customers.

PRO Magazine is a leading trade publication focused on the needs of landscape professionals. Subscribers include leaders of firms performing landscape maintenance, installation, chemical applications and irrigation.

Yard & Garden and PRO Magazine are published by Cygnus Business Media, an internationally recognized business-to-business media company.

Yard & Garden and PRO Magazine
Gregg Wartgow, 920-563-1614
Editor-in-Chief
gregg.wartgow@cygnusb2b.com