Joe Conrad is the founder and President of Mean Green Mowers, the manufacture of commercial grade battery powered mowing equipment. The manufacturing is based in Ross, Ohio that has a population of just under 2000.
FO (FocusOn): First of all, we appreciate you taking the time to speak with us. It is always interesting when we can spend time with an industry innovator.
FO (FocusOn): What was your vocation prior to Mean Green Mowers?
FO The history of Mean Green Mowers is similar to many names in the power equipment industry as it started in the garage with a good idea. Tell us about how the idea developed into an actual product.
When some basic research was done, it was quickly discovered that outdoor power equipment, especially mowers, produced disproportionally high harmful emissions and operated extremely inefficiently. We decided to put our creative side to work and build an electric mower that would be much quieter, produce zero emissions, have minimal routine maintenance, and pay for itself in fuel savings.
Like many great ideas, Mean Green Mowers was born in a garage. Not long after that hot summer day, Joe Conrad and son, Matt Conrad, designed & built the first Commercial ZTR, all electric mower. For the past years since, Joe, Matt, and a talented core crew of craftsmen have developed innovative, common sense, commercial electric mowers and have changed the way consumers view electric powered equipment.
Mean Green Mowers are proudly manufactured in the small agricultural town of Ross, Ohio, USA with the highest degree of strength and durability utilizing aluminum alloys, high strength steel, lightening holes, and modern bending technologies. Our patented mower designs and lithium battery technology provide the operator with all day commercial run times.
FO The battery powered outdoor power equipment market is growing quickly but, according to some of the major players in the commercial field, the acceptance is a bit slower than expected. However, 33% respondents of the 3431 respnondent FocusOn readers that attended GIE+EXPO survey expect all of their commercial powered products fleet to eventually be battery powered. And they told us that just over 5% are already planning to buy a battery powered zero turn this year!
What is your guess for when the majority of professional landscapers in North America will be using battery powered mowing equipment.
FO How do you describe the level of interest at the 2018 GIE compared to when you were a first time exhibitor? (What was your first year at the show)
FO What do you hear as the main reasons why a pro landscaper is not yet ready to go with battery powered mowers?
The biggest factor now seems to be initial cost of the electric mower compared to traditional. Even though it is well proven that our mowers provide a Return On Investment at about 1/3 of their service life, it still holds many people back. As the prices of traditional mowers keep sharply rising due to air pollution regulations and the price of new battery technologies continue to decrease, more and more contractors will realize the benefits sooner and begin to switch to all electric.
FO The main players in the riding mower business all agree that the Stand On is the fastest growing secgment of the commercial ride on mowers. Are you seeing the same shift toward your STALKER STand?
FO Are there commercial grade battery powered products, other than mowers, that we can expect to see from Mean Green Mowers in the near future?
FO In our discussions with manufacturers across North America, the lack of qualified workers available is the number one problem. In Ross Ohio, a town of about 2000 people, how difficult is it to find additional qualified people to work at your company?
FO What do you see as the number one challenge facing the outdoor power equipment industry in the next 5 years?
FO As a manufacturer in the power equipmnet, we expect you are are contacted with suggestions for new products. Is there any one that comes to mind that really made you shake your head?
FO After the workday at Mean Green Mowers ends for you, what has made it a good day?
FO Thank you Joe,for providing us a glimpse inside Mean Green and your insights into the future of battery powered products for the professional landscape market. As Mean Green and others are proving, battery powered products are commercial grade and do deserve consideration by professional landscapers when adding to their fleets.