Landscape and Irrigation is read by decision makers throughout the landscape and irrigation markets — including contractors, landscape architects, professional grounds managers, and irrigation and water mgmt companies and reaches the entire spetrum.
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www.landscapeirrigation.com Landscape and Irrigation January/February 2015 13 Industry Insights Landscape and Irrigation Buying Intention Survey Results LI For some insight into how landscape and irrigation professionals plan to spend their money in the coming year, and the factors that influence those buying decisions, Landscape and Irrigation recently asked you, the reader, for feedback. The results of our survey are as follows: What turf maintenance equipment do you plan to purchase in the next year? (check all that apply) Blowers 62% Chain Saws 60% Trimmers (string) 56% Mowers (walk-behind) 43% Trimmers (hedge) 43% Mowers (riding) 40% Spreaders 30% Edgers 27% Snow Removal Equipment 24% Spray Equipment 22% Mowers (stand-on) 21% Aerators (turf) 16% Utility Vehicles 16% Tillers 16% Brush Cutters 11% Chippers/Shreddders 11% Sweepers 11% Vacuums (leaf and litter) 10% Dethatchers 8% Curb and Border Machines 6% What landscape construction equipment do you plan to purchase in the next year? (check all that apply) Trenchers 39% Grading Equipment 31% Loaders 28% Excavators 17% Stump Grinders 17% Backhoes 14% Sod Cutters 11% Air Excavation Equipment 8% Augers 6% What irrigation components do you plan to purchase in the next year? (check all that apply) Sprinklers (pop ups) 90% Sprinkler Accessories 79% Valves 79% Pipes and Fittings 78% Sprinklers (risers) 76% Controllers 60% Drip Systems 60% Backflow Prevention 54% Pumps 52% Drainage Equipment 38% Filtration Systems 31% Central Control Systems 29% Moisture Sensors 28% Weather Stations 31% Flow Meters 21% What landscape supplies and materials do you plan to purchase in the next year? (check all that apply) Gravel, Rocks and Stone 80% Mulch 79% Perennials 68% Shrubs 68% Landscape Fabric 68% Seed 66% Soil 63% Trees 62% Hardscape Materials (bricks and pavers) 61% Annuals 59% Sod 55% Compost 51% Edging 51% Stakes (plant and tree) 51% Plant Containers 32% Root Barriers 23% Aquatic Plants 20% How much do you plan to spend on equip- ment and supplies during the next year? Under $10,000 16% $10,000 - $24,999 19% $25,000 - $49,999 21% $50,000 - $99,999 14% $100,000 - $249,999 21% $250,000 - $500,000 4% More than $500,000 5% AnAlysIs The biggest thing that jumps out is that the percentage of respondents planning to purchase various types of equipment, in each category, during the next year has risen across the board from our survey results of the past 3 years. This suggests that our respondents are ready to spend more on equipment in the coming year than they have each of the past three years. In terms of landscape and turf maintenance equipment, handheld equip- ment such as blowers and string trimmers remain at the top of the list, which is consistent with our survey results from 2011, 2012 and 2013. A big riser this year is chain saws, with 60% of respondents indicating that they intend to buy a chain saw in the next year (compared to 16% in 2013, 18% in 2012 and 32% in 2011). Other big risers include: trenchers, up to 39% in 2014 (from only 6% in 2013); commercial walk-behind mowers at 43% (compared to 20% in 2013, 28% in 2012 and 28% in 2011); blowers, which increased from 46% in 2013 to 62% in 2014; and snow removal equipment, which is up to 24% of respondents planning to buy (compared with 12% in both 2013 and 2012). Those indicating that they plan to buy a loader in the coming year also increased from less than 7% each of the past three years to 28% on the latest survey. Irrigation seems to be at the forefront of our respondents' buying intentions as 90% of our respondents intend to buy sprinklers (pop-ups) in the coming year, and more than 70% intend to purchase irrigation system components, such as pipe, valves fittings and other accessories.