But why do that? I’m only going to look at the OPE industry headlines because I want to feel good! Here are some positive OPE headlines I’m seeing right out of the Outdoor Power Equipment and Engine Service Association’s (OPEESA) OPE-in-the-Know e-mail newsletter and other recent business news sources:
• “Echo Expands in Lake Zurich.” Well, Echo did buy Shindaiwa, and we thought it was only a matter of time before they had to expand. 129,000 square feet! Wow, that’s pretty big!
• “Briggs Invests $35.5 Million in Murray, KY Plant.” That’s a lot of money. What do they know that we don’t?
• “MTD to Add 107 Jobs with $9.3-Million Expansion in Mississippi.” MTD is expanding into a 525,000-square-foot building with 10 plastic injection molding machines to be followed by two more assembly lines and a paint applicator system. That’s a terrific investment in jobs and a tremendous belief in the strength of future business.
• “Blount International Acquires Speeco.” Blount will gain entry into products and markets that will complement its existing business with Speeco’s log splitters, post-hole diggers, tractor three-point linkage parts and equipment, and farm accessories. We could call this “growing smartly.”
• “Toro Profit Rises 70% as Demand Rebounds.” This Aug. 19 headline was the result of renewed demand from the professional segment of Toro’s business, which accounts for 70 percent of its total sales.
Our industry’s OEMs obviously have confidence in the future. You and I should too.
In a recent edition of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute’s (OPEI) SmartBrief e-mail newsletter, the following headline caught my eye: “OPEI Stresses Importance of Understanding Your Equipment.” Does this mean if my lawnmower and I don’t get along, we have to go to counseling together?
Comedian Stephen Wright once said, “If we’re not allowed to have midnight snacks, why is there a light in the refrigerator?” Well?
Harvey Mackay, my favorite business blogger, tells a story about the Wright brothers of airplane fame and the arrogance of the French government.\
“Early in the development of flight, the Wright brothers (Orville and Wilbur) were largely dismissed at home in America, and had to go abroad to get proper recognition for their aeronautical achievements.
“The French government gave the brothers an opportunity to demonstrate what they had done. But the French were obviously jealous of the two modest Americans.
“At a banquet in Paris to honor the accomplishments of the two Wright brothers, the chief speaker at the dinner devoted most of his remarks to claiming that France had led the world in aviation exploration and would do so in the future. However, he said very little in praise of the two American guests.
“When Wilbur Wright was called upon to speak, he said: ‘I am no hand at public speaking, and so I must on this occasion content myself with a few words. As I sat here listening to the speaker who preceded me, I heard his comparisons made to the eagle, to the swallow, and to the hawk as typifying skill and speed in mastery of the air. But somehow or other, I could not keep from thinking of the parrot, which, of all the ornithological kingdom is the poorest flier and the best talker.’”
Clearly, arrogance didn’t fly with Wilbur Wright.
Harvey Mackay suggested this moral for the story: “Arrogance is an odd affliction. It makes everyone else sick.”
