Kubota dealers from across the United States gathered in two sessions Oct. 30-Nov. 1, and Nov. 1-Nov. 3, 2001 at the Wyndham Anatole in Dallas.
The 2002 product lineup was introduced the first evening of the event in a compelling onstage presentation. Everything from mowers to tractors, loaders and excavators were on hand to show Kubota dealers what's new for 2002.
Kubota Tractor president and CEO, Mori Hayashi, told dealers on opening night, “We must remember Sept. 11, but we must also move forward.” Hayashi also told dealers that an American flag would be shipped to each of them in the following weeks in honor of those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks.
In the spirit of going forward the company also announced its plans to improve its parts operation throughout the upcoming year. “We've experienced phenomenal growth at Kubota and the parts operation must catch up,” said Richard Corns, director of parts.
As a result, Kubota has increased its inventory of A parts by 50 percent, and of B parts by 65 percent. The company is working with its Japanese parent to also cut lead times by 75 percent. “Kubota has also initiated a heavy inventory investment to support fill rates,” said Corns. “In the past two months, we've increased inventory levels by $6 million. Our goal is to get to a 100 percent fill rate on both A and B parts.”
One of the products introduced at the meeting was the BX22 subcompact tractor, designed to be the ultimate residential one tractor solution. The new BX22 features a Kubota diesel engine, four-wheel drive, a front loader and a 6-foot backhoe.
“If you were a homeowner and needed one machine to do all the jobs developing and maintaining your property, this would be the one investment you would want to make,” said Tom Sieper, product manager for the BX-series. “Or if you were a rental yard that focused on the homeowner and small landscaper, this would be the machine you would want on your lot to rent.”
Also among its new line is the ZD-Series zero-turn professional mower. The ZD28 has increased horsepower, larger mower decks and more comfort features. The low noise mower is a 3-blade unit that comes with a 60- or 72-inch deck. A new high-speed gearbox coupled with medium lift blades produce a faster blade tip speed for an improved cut quality and increased discharge performance.
“We came out with the more powerful ZD28 to meet performance needs requested by our customers,” said James Burnside, product manager for turf products.
Addressing the current state of the U.S. economy, Greg Embury, vice-president of sales and marketing said Kubota “intended to thrive, not just survive, in tough times. We must not reduce our face-to face contact with our customers, or assume that because some customers are suffering, they all are.”
