Landscape and Turf Maintenance By John Kmitta
Lawn Maintenance Trends A
s we head into the busy season for lawn maintenance, there is a lot on the minds of industry professionals. The overall business approach, equipment and technology being used, marketing efforts and goal setting are all some of the key areas of focus.
Changing business models The challenges in recent years — most notably the economy
— have caused many industry pros to assess their overall approach. For some, the business model has remained the same over the
years. "We have not changed our model approach at all in years," said Michael McAfee, BS, MS, McAfee Mowing and Landscaping, Inc. "We stick by what works best, and that is keeping customers happy, offering services we are good at, and not trying to do everything." But many others have adjusted their business model, and have either added new services to maximize their opportunities, or they have cut services to focus on their core business competency. "If anything, we have added more services to serve all our clients
needs," said Greg Parker, president, Parker Landscape Management Inc. (PLM). "If we do not provide the service they need, I have someone who does — making us a one-call do-it-all company.
" 10 Landscape and Irrigation April 2012
Industry pros discuss business heading into the busy season Ferdinand Zeller, owner of Royal Yard Service LLC, said his
company started out as 10 percent commercial business and 90 percent residential, but it is now 70 percent commercial and 30 percent residential. "We try to give more value for the customers' money without
sacrificing quality of service or cutting pricing," said Ron Skover, owner/member, Greenlawn LLC. "We do not 'bargain' with our pricing. I try to explain to all clients that you get what you pay for. Our area is highly competitive with many 'low ballers,' so we have to do the extra things and exceed client expectations." According to Bob St. Jacques, president of Four Seasons Land-
scaping, Inc., his company is also becoming a one-stop shop, offer- ing parking area maintenance and site work construction. David Precht, owner, Frontier Lawn and Landscape, said his
company used to be a "one-stop shop," but has downsized to lessen overhead and time at a client's property to maintain a de- cent profit/loss ratio. "As of right now, for the last phase out, we are 90 percent lawn maintenance and 10 percent landscape main- tenance," he said. Todd Lembke, president of New-Cali Landscapes, decided two
years ago to focus on his company's core business, which is main- tenance, and reduce labor costs by getting away from installation
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