Both products operate at a lower noise level to prevent disruptions.

LA MIRADA, Calif. – Makita U.S.A., Inc., launched the new 18V LXT Brushless Cordless Couple Shaft Power Head (XUX02) and 18V LXT Brushless Cordless String Trimmer (XRU23).

This 18V LXT Couple Shaft System offers users more versatility. A lever-style lock allows for quick tool-less installation and replacement of attachments. Other features include a loop handle for a comfortable grip, hook for shoulder strap and variable speed control. The XUX02 also features Makita’s exclusive Extreme Protection Technology (XPT) for improved dust and water resistance in harsh conditions.

The 18V power head is designed for use with a variety of Makita Couple Shaft Attachments (sold separately). Makita currently offers 11 compatible attachments. All kits available come with a 13” String Trimmer Attachment (EM409MP). The string trimmer attachment features a new time-saving rapid-loading bump and feed trimmer head. This new trimmer head loads in seconds with three easy steps: align, feed and twist.

The XUX02 will be available as a bare tool (XUX02Z), bare tool with 13” String Trimmer Attachment (XUX02ZX1), and as a kit with a 4.0Ah battery (XUX02SM1X1). In addition to this, we will be offering the XUX02SM1X2 and XUX02SM1X4 kits that also include a 20” Articulating Hedge Trimmer Attachment and 10” Pole Saw Attachment, seven-ft. length, respectively.

Makita’s LXT Cordless Couple Shaft eliminates the hassles of gas with zero emissions, lower noise and reduced maintenance. It operates at a lower noise level, providing user comfort and preventing disruptions for neighbors or nearby businesses.

For more information about the new couple shaft or LXT OPE System, click here.

Additionally, Makita is pleased to introduce an 18V LXT Brushless Cordless String Trimmer (XRU23) featuring easy-to-load trimmer head.

The XRU23 can deliver up to one hour of run time with one 18V LXT Lithium-Ion 4.0Ah Battery. Its exclusive Makita-built brushless motor delivers up to 6,000 RPM. Power and run time are managed with a high/low button.

This cordless string trimmer has a 13” cutting swath, ideal for compact and precision trimming.

The XRU23 has a broken shaft for compact storage and a loop handle. Other features include a variable speed trigger and Extreme Protection Technology (XPT), which provides improved dust and water resistance for operation in harsh jobsite conditions.

For more information about Makita LXT Cordless String Trimmers, click here.

The company has expanded its lawn and garden business with the acquisition.

ATLANTA – Oldcastle APG has broadened its manufacturing footprint with the acquisition of CST, a regional manufacturer of lawn and garden products, including bagged and bulk mulches and soils.

Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Elk River, Minnesota, CST supplies lawn and garden products to retail and independent customers throughout the midwestern United States. As a co-packing partner, CST’s product offerings fit into Oldcastle APG’s existing product portfolio, strengthening manufacturing capabilities and improving regional product availability.

“Our lawn and garden business has experienced exponential growth fueled by increasing demand in the home remodeling space,” said Oldcastle APG President Tim Ortman. “The acquisition of CST supports the strategic growth plans of our lawn and garden segment by enhancing our ability to meet the needs of customers throughout the Midwest region.”

The acquisition was finalized in late December 2020 and follows several recent strategic purchases by Oldcastle APG, including midwestern mulch and soil manufacturers B&B Bedding and Buckeye Resources.

The new feature is currently available for U.S. users and will be available in Canada in the future.

MARKHAM, Ontario – LMN has announced a new integration with SiteOne Landscape Supply to help users run their business more efficiently. Landscape contractors save time and money through LMN's SaaS landscape management software by loading materials and pricing directly from SiteOne. The new feature is currently available for U.S. users and will be available in Canada in the future.

"The SiteOne integration is exciting and incredibly beneficial for our LMN users," said Mark Bradley, CEO and co-founder of LMN. "Allowing an easier way for LMN users to update their materials and pricing directly with SiteOne keeps us on target to help landscape businesses grow in 2021."

LMN users can order directly from their local SiteOne branch within their LMN account. To keep business owners running efficiently, materials uploaded from SiteOne to the LMN dashboard will be readily available for contractors to adjust the description, shipping, warranty factors and markups to determine the price to charge customers and keep estimates profitable.

"We are thrilled to be working with LMN, another leader in the green industry," said SiteOne CEO Doug Black. "Together we hope to make 2021 the best year yet for landscape and lawn care professionals in the U.S."

With LMN's SiteOne integration, users can access several new features:

"We serve over ten-thousand businesses through LMN," said Mike Lysecki, chief technology officer of LMN. "And we repeatedly heard from users that SiteOne was the primary vendor they used for materials and supplies. Adding this feature to the LMN software will make it far easier for our users to estimate with accurate pricing and to order/procure materials after the estimates have been approved."

Aspire Evolution features several enhancements for more efficiency.

The Aspire Evolution release is here.

The Evolution Release will not only bring an updated look and feel to the platform but will also improve the system’s usability for a more seamless user experience.

While the platform’s core functionality will remain the same, there are many enhancements including the following:

For more information on the rollout, click here.

The investment is aimed to further develop sensor innovation for compact equipment.

WEST FARGO, N.D. – Doosan Bobcat North America announced a strategic equity investment with Ainstein AI, Inc., a startup radar technologies company located in Lawrence, Kan., to continue the development of next-generation radar sensor systems for Bobcat equipment solutions.

"Radar sensor technology is a key component of our innovation accelerated strategy and ensures Bobcat provides the most productive machinery on any work site," said Joel Honeyman, vice president of global innovation at Doosan Bobcat. "Radar will enhance equipment performance and provide our customers with optimal productivity and the ultimate operator experience through sensor technology. Our investment with Ainstein allows us to work more closely to provide numerous solutions to our customers."

Doosan Bobcat first announced a strategic partnership with Ainstein in June 2020 to identify forward-looking solutions to help equipment owners and operators maximize productivity, efficiency and safety through innovation and technology. This latest strategic investment is designed to generate several shared-value benefits between the companies and customers.

Doosan Bobcat North America and Ainstein will further collaborate to create next-generation radar sensor solutions to detect objects on jobsites when using Bobcat equipment. The radar system developed by Ainstein collects object position data — like range, azimuth, elevation and doppler information — to provide real-time alerts to operators by incorporating a combination of mmWave radar, sensor fusion and artificial intelligence. This technology will enable obstacle avoidance solutions and future technologies that support autonomous operations.

"The investment from Doosan Bobcat is a validation of our technology and leadership position in next-generation sensor development," said Andrew Boushie, vice president of strategy and partnerships at Ainstein. "We are so thrilled to work with a strong, internationally recognized brand like Bobcat. Together, we can advance technology that will benefit our companies and industry."

Doosan Bobcat's investment in Ainstein AI comes at the completion of a Series A funding round. The investment agreement was finalized in December 2020.