Industry News

Industry News – November/December 2008

CLUB CAR RECOGNIZED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN FIRST GOLF INC. GREEN AWARDS COMPETITION

AUGUSTA, GA – Club Car’s efforts to reduce consumption and promote environmental sustainability were recognized by Golf Inc. in the magazine’s 2008 Green Awards competition.

 

The competition attracted more than 50 entries, which were judged in three categories: Golf Course, Golf Course Management Companies, and Product-Service Provider. Club Car was the only honorable mention recipient named in the product-service provider category.

“Our goal is to honor those in the industry who are demonstrating outstanding innovation and cutting-edge leadership when it comes to environmental issues,” said Golf Inc. managing editor Keith Carter.

           

Club Car’s main contribution to environmental friendliness is the trend it is leading toward zero-emission electric vehicles. Club Car is also sourcing parts from around the world based in part on their ability to be recycled. In 2007, the company recycled more than two million pounds of waste (mostly in the form of cardboard and metal) and decreased the amount of landfill trash produced by 25 percent.

 

Club Car has installed automated turn-off switches on power equipment to reduce energy consumption when the equipment is not in use. Auxiliary power units are being installed on the tractor-trailers that deliver vehicles to reduce idling time and fuel consumption. Last year, Club Car also began using nitrogen to fill the tires on many of the vehicles it manufacturers; nitrogen improves fuel economy, promotes longer tire life and is friendlier to the environment than compressed air. For more information on Club Car, go to www.clubcar.com.

 

E-Z-GO NAMED FINALIST FOR INDUSTRY WEEK’S BEST PLANTS 2008 AWARD

Augusta facility is one of only 20 finalists for award that recognizes top North American manufacturing facilities.

AUGUSTA, GA – E-Z-GO, a Textron Inc. Company, is proud to announce that its Augusta manufacturing facility has been named a 2008 finalist for Industry Week magazine’s Best Plant Award.

 

The award recognizes North American plants that are “on the leading edge of efforts to increase competitiveness, enhance customer satisfaction and create stimulating and rewarding work environments,” according to the magazine. E-Z-GO was selected as one of the 20 finalists for the award. Of the finalists, 10 winners will be selected and featured in the magazine’s January 2009 issue.

 

“I am honored but not surprised that our facility has been named a finalist for this prestigious honor,” said John Collins, plant manager for E-Z-GO. “Ultimately, it is an organization’s people who drive its success, and we have the finest workforce to be found anywhere.”

 

“Our employees are the key to all of our successes,” said Kevin P. Holleran, president of E-Z-GO. “As we have embarked on a journey of continuous improvement, our workforce has led every step of the way, through our commitment to Six Sigma methods and Lean manufacturing principles, to our implementation of state-of-the-art manufacturing technology, dedication to environmental stewardship, and devotion to maintaining an inclusive, open corporate culture.”

 

“Although we’ve made tremendous progress, this is only the beginning,” Holleran said. “E-Z-GO is committed to continued innovation and improvement so that we can continue to exceed our customers’ expectations, provide a safe and respectful workplace, support our community, protect our environment, and drive value for Textron shareholders.”

 

For more information, please visit www.textron.com.

 

GOLFCARGRAPHICS.COM RELEASES ALL NEW E-Z-GO RXV™ CHROME BUMPER ACCENT KIT

Sharper Images Graphics has just released a dazzling all new “no-drill” flexible Conform Chrome front and rear bumper accent kit for the RXV. As we all know, this was a much-needed accessory for the E-Z-GO model, which comes from the factory with solid black bumpers.

 

The front bumper accent kit consists of five laser-cut PVC chrome pieces, shaped to enhance the appearance of the bumper. The rear bumper kit consists of precision laser-cut E-Z-GO chrome logo letters to fit precisely over each letter. This adds a three-dimensional raised effect to the rear bumper. The rear bumper accent is also available in standard vinyl

material and colors, as well as select reflective colors, which provide an added safety feature when the vehicle is used at night (reflective product not a substitute for tail lights).

 

Each kit comes pre-packaged with application instructions and photo illustrations. This makes the peel-and-stick product a great cash-and-carry item for the dealers to offer to retail customers.  If you are looking for a competitive edge when it comes to RXV sales, this is a simple and effective product that has a great impact when it comes to the appearance of the RXV.  For more information please visit www.golfcargraphics.com.

 

ididit inc. WINS GOODGUYS 2008 BODY, GLASS & INTERIOR COMPONENTS AWARD

ididit, inc. was honored to receive the Body, Glass & Interior Components award at the Goodguys 11th PPG Nationals in July. Ken and Jane Callison were on hand to accept the award, which is given to the company that designed the best Body, Glass or Interior Component for the 2008 Goodguys season. 

 

ididit entered their brand-new design of the 1970-74 Cuda/Challenger steering column and wheel adapter combo.  This steering column is not only a made-to-fit application, but it also comes with the same collapsible features as the original column. Once again, ididit’s cutting-edge steering column technology proves why they’re tops in the industry.

           

For more information on ididit’s complete steering column line, please visist www.ididit.com.

 

PQN ENTERPRISES ANNOUNCES TWO NEW PERFORMANCE AUDIO PRODUCTS

VENTURA, CA – PQN Enterprises announces the latest additions to their Special Performance Audio (SPA) line of quality speakers. The SPA22 measures only 2.8” wide x 3.8” long x .65” high.  The SPA22 is a super compact 2-Way speaker with performance that rivals much larger products. The SPA22 is perfect for OEM applications as well as aftermarket installs. Designed to fit where conventional audio products simply won’t, the SPA22 can be exposed to outdoor conditions without harm.

 

The exclusive SPA25 is a compact Hi-Power 2.5” audio speaker offering performance that rivals much larger products. Exclusive to the SPA25 is an integrated audio-driven blue LED for an added accent show. The SPA25 offers UV- and weather-resistant construction. PQN is home to the most compact Hi-Power speakers on the market. The speakers are available in gray or black or 4- or 8-ohm models. 

 

For further information on their complete line, visit www.pqnenterprises.com.

 

GCSAA WILL HELP BUILD HOMES IN NEW ORLEANS

LAWRENCE, KS – The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) and its partnering associations of the Golf Industry Show are teaming up with the New Orleans Habitat for Humanity to host a series of work days before the trade show opens to help build homes in some of New Orleans’ most devastated areas.

 

The work days will be Tuesday, February 3, and Wednesday, February 4, 2009, from 7:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. All volunteers will be placed in teams of 15 to work on homes within a particular area. The Golf Industry Show will provide transportation from the New Orleans Morial Convention Center, lunch at the work sites, water, sunscreen and a t-shirt.

 

“This is the first time the Golf Industry Show has been back to New Orleans since Katrina, and we are excited to join our partnering organizations to help people of this great city,” said GCSAA CEO Mark Woodward, CGCS. “GCSAA has a compassionate membership, so helping the city rebuild is something that our members have felt very strongly about participating in when the conference and show returns.”

 

To support this first-ever volunteer project, register to participate in the event online at www.gcsaa.org/conference beginning October 1 (or use registration form A-2 in the conference and trade show brochure). You can also support New Orleans Habitat’s efforts through a donation on the registration form. Participation requires a $25 registration fee. The deadline for registration is January 2, 2009.

 

DPI DEVELOPS REVOLUTIONARY CHARGING SYSTEM AIMED AT GOLF CART INDUSTRY

PINEY FLATS, TN – Founded in 1997, DPI is known for developing “intelligent charging systems” that result in an exacting charge, meaning batteries get fully charged – as opposed to the 40 to 70 percent capacity charge accomplished by most standard chargers. The technology results in longer battery life, decreased operating costs and improved battery charge efficiency. DPI has also developed a line of energy management support products, such as highly efficient AC-DC and DC-DC converters, remote displays and battery gas gauging.

 

While the general rule in golf cart maintenance is always to use the charger made for the golf cart, DPI’s new product offers the flexibility of needing just one charger to rev up multiple battery brands. DPI’s 48-volt golf cart charger has a select switch located on the front so users can choose between four charging modes: Mode 1 for the 48-volt U.S. battery, Mode 2 for the 48-volt Trojan battery, Mode 3 for the 48-volt Exide battery and Mode 4 for 36-volt general purpose charging.

 

The technology resulted when DPI engineers brought in various battery brands – such as U.S. Battery, Trojan Battery and Exide – and closely worked with them to devise specific charge algorithms for each brand. They then applied the technology to a single charger with select-mode capability.

 

The system follows on the heels of DPI’s development of a high-powered 12-volt 6-channel shop charger, which provides more than 1,350 watts of output energy and allows multiple golf cart batteries to be charged simultaneously, without having to disconnect battery interconnect cables. This capability allows carts batteries to equalize and saves valuable time for golf course personnel responsible for maintaining large fleets of car.

 

The company’s new 48-volt golf cart charger comes with a robust output cable, the Anderson SB50 connector. DPI has also produced a variety of interface cables for connecting their charger to leading cart brands – including Yamaha, E-Z-GO, and Club Car, which is known for having a built-in power supply system. Cart-customized interface connection cables (One-2-ALL™) are low-cost and readily available in stock.

 

The new charging packs are also available in 10 different automotive colors to match carts: black, blue, green, hot pink, lime green, orange, purple, red, white and yellow.

 

DPI’s full line of products is available at www.dpipower.com.