First, I hope every had a good holiday season and the New Year is racing forward the way you had planned.  A lot has happened with the various products, shows, meetings, etc. I work with.  I will be attempting to recap much of that here, then sending out my newsletter doing the same as one big summary.

Amsoil has seen a few new products and some new recommendations have occurred due to findings of how well their products have been performing under certain conditions and applications.  Primarily this involves the newer diesel trucks and I’ll have a recap of the Toyota situation with the Amsoil Ea Oil Filter based on some new information that has come my way.  Yes, Toyota is in the Amsoil news as well (for those following all their recalls taking place at this time), and hopefully I can help shed a little more light on this.  For now you can look at the older blog post that basically explains the change in the Amsoil Ea Oil Filter interval for certain Toyota engines that are forming sludge and prematurely clogging the filter when used with the extended drain intervals.

Aggrand Organic Fertilizer Products, a division of Amsoil, continue to grow in popularity.  I started to redo my AltruHealth.com Web Site last September, but that got pushed to the back burner.  The URL works, but there is no information there as I was playing with some different templates to see which I liked best at the time.  This site will cover both Aggrand and Altrum products.  You can go there for more information in the future, but for the moment, other than having me email listed, it is linking to the Corporate Sites for both products.  To save time, you can visit the Altrum Web Site and Aggrand Web Site from the links in this message.

RMI-25 is still available.  In an older post, I mentioned the company is up for sale, and as far as I know, it still is with very limited supply left.  But my supplier was able to get his hands on a large amount while it was still available and because of that, I still can as well.  At least until that is gone or someone takes over the company and begins production again.  This is a really great product and will be a loss if they disappear.  I am always getting calls about it, perhaps more so now, as it is getting hard to find.  Currently I have access to the 8 oz. bottles, but only ship within the US.

Towards the end of the year, I picked up another new product called FilterMag.  I was interested in this earlier last year, but didn’t start carrying it until the end of the year, and getting my demo bottle to display has really been a show stopper for those that have seen it in action.  More in a future blog post, but in a nutshell, it is a magnet that attaches to your oil filter and helps to capture the very fine metal particles that even the filter cannot catch.  But wait!  You use an Amsoil Ea Oil Filter now, aren’t those the best?  Yes they are, but these ultra fine metal particles can still get through them and cause wear inside the engine.  The Amsoil Ea Oil Filters are better than any other oil filter on the market, but adding the FilterMag adds another level of protection.  But what if you are using the Amsoil Bypass Filter?  In that case, you really don’t need the FilterMag, it already is able to capture those fine particles.  So look at the list like this:

• Other Filters = Crap, or just above (insert laugh track here)

In the elite filtration class:

• Amsoil Ea Oil Filter = Good
• Amsoil Ea Oil Filter with FilterMag = Better
• Amsoil Bypass System = Best!

The FilterMag will catch those fine metal particles, but not other non-metallic particles or soot like the Amsoil Bypass System is able.  So if you want the best (especially if you have a newer diesel truck where these should be standard), this is the best route to go.

I’m sure I’m missing a few other things to add here, but I’ll get to them as I make my individual posts.

I do have a few events I will be at coming up.  Next weekend, February 20, 2010, I’ll be at the Mustang show I usually attend and setup at (download the show PDF flyer here), and later this Spring the Central Florida Earth Day Festival is coming up again, which I also intend to be at once more promoting the Amsoil extended drains, increased MPG with HHO Systems, and the Aggrand Organic Fertilizer products.

Watch here for more.

AGGRAND Natural Liquid Fertilizers

Growing Popularity Earns Diverse Customers

AGGRAND Natural Liquid Fertilizers are a hot commodity. In fact, sales this planting season have outpaced last year by more than 63 percent. “The growth of sales has been absolutely phenomenal,” said ALTRUM Manager Greg Sawyer. “Last year was the best year ever since AGGRAND fertilizers were introduced, and we have surpassed last year.”

A growing number customers are learning from experience how well these natural fertilizers work. “These sales numbers show us the products are effective, less costly and people are more open to organic fertilizers now than ever.

An increasing number of customers are using AGGRAND fertilizers on golf courses. “We’re looking for some results to come in from those customers. Actually, any news from customers in any niche of the industry would be great to know,” Sawyer said.

Wheat Farmer Saves Thousands With AGGRAND Fertilizers

Wheat farmer Mark Reed, in Julesburg, Colo., saved $26,000 in fertilizer costs for 770 acres this summer using AGGRAND fertilizer instead of chemical fertilizers. Reed said not only did his crops thrive with AGGRAND fertilizers, their all natural formula reduces the carbon footprint of man by bringing no contamination to the soil. “I’m convinced using AGGRAND fertilizers is the thing to do,” Reed said.

If you are looking to simply purchase a few bottles, I can get them for you, just like AMSOIL products.  If you would like to use it more around your house, or your company, like AMSOIL, there are wholesale programs available.  If you already have an account with AMSOIL, your already set to order.  Your wholesale account to either AMSOIL or AGGRAND allows you to order the other. at wholesale as well  If you own a lawn maintenance company or are a grounds keeper, etc., now you can get a better fertilizer as well as the superior lubrication benefits of Amsoil in your equipment from the same account.

AMSOIL has released a video on the New AGGRAND Production Facilities:

Not all products are available in all states.

Natural Organic Fertilizer 4-3-3

Naturally Effective

• Excellent results on flowers, fruits, vegetables, lawns, trees, and crops
• Effective as either a foliar feed or soil application
• Demonstrated performance in the commercial fruit and vegetable market
• Enhances plant vigor which contributes to disease and stress resistance
• Convenient liquid concentrate

Natural Organic Liquid Bonemeal

Corrects Calcium Deficiency

• Provides a readily usable source of phosphorus and calcium
• Releases slowly over the growing season
• Perfect for all bulbs and transplants
• Outstanding performance on root and fruit crops
• Ideal for flowers
• Convenient liquid concentrate

Natural Kelp and Sulfate of Potash

An Important Part of Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition

• Provides increased heat, cold and drought tolerance
• Decreases susceptibility to insect attack and infection
• Aids in early plant growth and development
• Promotes early ripening
• Improves quality and extends shelf-life of fruits and vegetables
• Aids in seed formation
• Convenient liquid concentrate
• Increases nitrogen use efficiency
• Increases nitrogen fixation in legumes

Natural Liquid Lime

Quickly Increases Soil’s pH

• Micronized formulation for immediate availability to plants
• Permeates entire soil profile

(Stay tuned for more…)

• USDA Organic approval
• Over 3 to 1 lower input cost per acre compared with chemical fertilizers
• Increased yields and higher quality crops
• Improved soil conditions that attract earthworms and their byproducts
• Advantages associated with using the natural organic approach

Most chemical fertilizers are actually made from petroleum chemicals and natural gas, but AGGRAND products are all natural, with one of the main ingredient being kelp.  Because of this, it doesn’t just feed the tops of plants, it slowly works it’s way into the ground and the roots with 90% of it absorbed building a better crop.  Only about 4% of chemical fertilizers get absorbed.

Microbes within the fertilizer help to grow nitrogen naturally, building over several days until they finally level out and a new dose needs to be applied to start this process again. Chemicals you put on and that’s all you get, no growth over time.

Tobacco farmers started using AGGRAND finding their yield to double in growth, while during the high prices of oil last year, it cost them 40% less to use.  They aren’t the only industry, as many companies are trying AGGRAND and noticing their crops healthier than the products they used before.  It’s a win/win situation for farmers: lower product cost, and greater yield.  For the home owner they get stronger and healthier plants, grass, and vegetables.

AGGRAND Natural Fertilizers are a safe and effective alternative to high analysis chemical fertilizers.

AGGRAND uses only the highest-quality ingredients in its products. Greenhouse and field experiments are conducted to validate the use of these ingredients. Then different fertilizer formulations and rates are compared to compute the optimum fertility for each plant type. Finally, research is conducted to compare AGGRAND fertilizer to competing products. This allows AGGRAND to be confident that it is manufacturing the best, most effective liquid fertilizers in the industry.

Homeowners, lawn care specialists and commercial growers alike are recognizing the importance of environmental responsibility as they tend to their gardens, lawns and crops. They understand that their homes, businesses and farms will be judged according to the appearance of their gardens, landscapes and fields. They also want products that are safe to use and perform well. As a result, more and more homeowners, lawn care services, turf managers and commercial growers are turning to AGGRAND Natural Products.

(Stay tuned for more….)

When I first became an Amsoil Dealer, one of the things that surprised me was a brochure and price list in my kit showing ALTRUM Vitamins and Supplements and AGGRAND Natural Lawn and Garden Products.  What the heck does this have to do with oil?  ALTRUM is a separate health division of AMSOIL, founded on the idea that we put the best products into our vehicles by using Amsoil, we should put the best available products into our own bodies to keep them running at peak efficiency as well.  But we’ll save the ALTRUM line for another posting.

AGGRAND was founded on a similar idea, but also from the business standpoint that Al, Amsoil’s founder, is a businessman, and saw potential in a fertilizer company that he was looking to buy many years ago.  Some of you might recall a company called AGGREEN.  It was popular in the areas it was known to be sold in. Al bought the company, and now it’s AGGRAND.

It’s been a good seller over the years, and held it’s own, but the market was slow to respond to organic products. But with the changes over the past few years, the rising costs of chemical fertilizers, organics becoming more popular, and evolving “green” movement, AGGRAND has become a very popular selling item and the Amsoil warehouses are always needing to restock. So popular, that AMSOIL just redid their production facility for these products and now have 4x the capacity they did a year ago.

(Stay tuned for more…)

What prompted me to consider these shows started with my visit to the HHO Games near Tampa earlier this year.  Here I saw various different ideas and technologies involved with the creation of hydrogen from water to assist with a more efficient burning of fuel in combustion engines.  I read about this a bit last year and it peaked my interest. I also read a few referrals to Amsoil being a quality product to aid in increased MPG by some of the HHO information I had.  I thought I’d setup a booth at this show and see some of the systems and talk to owners first hand that have tried them.  After hearing the feedback many gave me, and increased MPG, I signed on to be a Rep for one of the companies there.

While at the show, I did get good feedback from people who stopped by to look at the Amsoil products.  This led me to consider looking more into this growing “green” market.  After all, Amsoil has been the original “green” oil for over 35 years with them promoting 25,000 mile or one year drain intervals.  Their Signature Series 0W-30 Synthetic Oil is actually rated for 35,000 miles.  Unheard of back in the early 1970s, and still by most people today, although the shift to longer drains has been taking place.  Take a look at your newer OEM manual on what their recommended drain is and you’ll probably see it’s at least 5000 miles and not the “old thinking” 3000 mile pushed belief.  I remember my 1980 Honda Accord listed 7500 mile drains already back then!

Innovative Hybrid Systems & Products (IHSP) I was formally referring to as Green Hybrid Systems.  They are actually two different companies, but Green Hybrid Systems has become more of the supplier for many of the system parts, while IHSP is now designing, assembling, distributing, and offering support for the new hydrogen on demand system I sell.  Since becoming a Rep for this, the system has changed, as well as the marketing rules, and there has been some delay for me actually being able to sell the final item.  That is being finalized this week, so for those interested, feel free to contact me.

The system has gone through some drastic changes since the original one that sold me at the HHO Games.  In general it provides many of the same benefits that the previous system did and is still posted in a previous blog, but does it much more efficiently, with less maintenance and is now more advanced than probably any system currently on the market.  These small dry cells produce more hydrogen output, the computer that controls it is even more advanced, and works with your vehicle ECU rather than merely “tricking” it like some others do.  While still early in the market game for this system, it is easily expected to increase MPG 20-70%, with larger diesel trucks experiencing the most gain.  One fleet truck they have it installed on went from an average of 5.5 MPG to just over 9 MPG!  This is a significant savings for that company that owns a fleet of these trucks driving all over everyday.  This is the market this system is being now aimed towards, but will work with any vehicle, although the Return on Investment will be slower than the estimated 3-6 months for these larger trucks.

These two products were my two main thoughts for the upcoming Earth Day Festival, but then one of the newsletters I get reminded me that I have some other products I can show well.  Most people don’t know this, but Amsoil has a health division that most of us rarely promote, although I, and other Dealers I know, use many of the products personally.  This is their Altrum Line which consists of a full line of Vitamins and Supplements, AquaBrite Water Filtration systems, and Aggrand Organic Lawn & Garden Fertilizers.  The one I think relates the most with Earth Day would be the Aggrand product line, as more people are becoming health aware, leaning towards naturally grown and organic products.  And with the rise of chemical fertilizers in the recent past, these products are very competitive pricewise.  At the show I’ve read there will be many vendors promoting similar products and foods, so this seems like a “natural” Earth Day product.  The Supplements and Water Filters are also important to our health and also excellent products available.  I’ll probably make a few posts on the Altrum division and various products in the future.

Without trial and error there is no learning, and without learning we become stagnant.  I’m sure Henry Ford received a lot of grief when he made his cars early on, after all, horse and buggy had worked well for people good for so many years.  Al Amatuzio, the founder of Amsoil, received a lot of flack when he made the first API rated full synthetic automotive oil. Who would want to pay the extra money when the stuff being used for years was so much less expensive and did the job?  Odd how now so many vehicles come factory equipped with synthetic these days and every oil manufacturer makes a synthetic, when in the past they yelled the loudest.  Some even tried to buy the Amsoil Company!

Whether you believe in global warming or not, the research into other options should always be there.  I’m not saying we blindly dump our SUVs for the latest golf cart, but there are alternatives that not only make sense from a money standpoint, but just happen to be “green” as well.  If we can build “a better mousetrap” without us having to “sacrifice,” why not at least consider it?  Technology is cool, and can be fun.  Americans like cool fun things so if anyone can make this work, we can, without loosing what makes us who we are.  I love my Mustang.  I won’t be trading it for a Toyota Prius anytime soon (no offense to Prius fans).  I do use Amsoil and the extended drain intervals it offers, originally for the performance and protection.  But unknowingly, by using it for years and producing less waste products, I’ve been “green!”

I feel all of my products are of good quality, offer great performance, and save money.  These are things that matter to us, especially in today’s economy.  They just so happen to fit right in with the growing “green” movement.  Who says we can’t have the best of both worlds?