SPECIAL FOCUS: ROBOTIC MOWERS
By Angie Mellor
IS THE ROBOTIC LAWN MOWER AN ANSWER TO THE GREEN INDUSTRY LABOR SHORTAGE? T The green industry could be changing its attitude toward robotic mowers due to the labor shortage.
18 GREEN INDUSTRY PROS
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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018
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hree manufacturers of robotic mowers—Honda, Husqvarna and STIHL—spoke to Green Industry Pros to weigh in on how automation can assist landscape contractors facing the lack of labor over most of the country. While each machine has its own distinct specifications and features, they also have some common technology and goals between them. In addition, each company believes the robotic mower can be a great tool in helping landscapers stay successful during the labor shortage and sees this moment as an opportunity to change landscapers’ perception of their products. Brian Manke, a product manager at STIHL Inc., believes that there are more factors at play in the labor shortage than just the H-2B visa. From his perspective, different areas of the country are more likely to feel the effects of the labor shortage than others. “Some areas are experiencing the labor shortage a lot more acutely than others, especially in stormravaged areas like Texas. When these big storms come through, a lot of people that used to mow lawns are finding more lucrative careers in installing drywall and repairing houses,” Manke
www.greenindustrypros.com
9/28/18 7:19 AM