M2 Discussion - To Reel or not to Reel

ByJean Housen-Own work,CC BY-SA 4.0.

Today, the lawn mower industry is challenged to come up with more environmentally sound equipment. Although today's gas mowers are 70 percent less polluting than those produced 10 years ago, using a walking gas mower for one hour produces as much hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide emissions (greenhouse gases) as driving 11 cars for an hour.Gas-powered riding lawn mower produces as much greenhouse gas as driving 34 cars for an hour.

Products

A wide range of products are available for cutting lawns; they vary in terms of power source (manual, electric, gas), operator mode (walking, riding, or automatic/robotic), and additional accessories and features, ranging from baggers for grass clippings, cup holders, and power steering to a cooking grill.

An estimated 6 million gas-powered, walking lawn mowers are sold annually, the vast majority of all mowers sold in the United States. More Craftsman (Sears) gas-powered walking mowers were sold than any other brand. Prices for gas-powered walking lawn mowers range from $200 to $700 depending on horsepower, brand, and features.

Reel mowers, the manual push mowers of old, have been making a comeback. American Lawn Mower Co. of Shelbyville, Indiana, claims to be the only U.S. manufacturer of reel mowers. Estimates indicate that annual sales are approximately 350,000 manual mowers. Reel mowers are priced from $100 to $400 and eliminate concerns about gas, repairs, and getting it started. However, Consumer Reports cautions that most reel mowers can't cut grass higher than 1 inches or trim closer than 3 inches around obstacles.

Electric lawn mowersmajor brands include Black & Decker and Craftsmanare available in both corded and cordless models. Electric mowers produce no exhaust emissions and require little maintenance besides sharpening. Less adept at tackling tall or thick grass, most electric mowers cut 18- to 19-inch swaths versus 21 inches for most gas mowers. Prices range from $125 to $250 for corded and $400 or more for cordless. Corded versions tether you to within about 100 feet of a power outlet.

Riding lawn mowers share many of the same drawbacks as gas-powered walk-behind mowers. Riding mowers can be less maneuverable and fail to cut close to obstacles. Prices range from $1,600 to $7,200. While the big advantage of riding lawn mowers is the amount of territory that can be covered, they also have a following in the little-known sport of lawn mower racing. The U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association, based in Illinois, claims more than 20 chapters in various states and a slate of regional and national races culminating in a national championship.

Based on this information and the readings in the text and course answer the following questions in your initial discussion posting:

• What are people looking for in a lawn mower? Is it about speed in mowing the lawn, safety, control, noise reduction, and/or reducing their carbon foot print? Explain your answer.
• Identify at least three bases for segmenting the lawn mower market.
• How can the reel lawn mower companies grow their business?