Landscape Management articles from August 2003

Landscape Management archives from August 2003

Next month: what's coming up in September.
August 1, 2003... * State of the Industry '03 The most accurate read of what's happening in the industry--and what's going to happen. We poll our readers via the telephone, mail and online to bring it to you * Turf seed availability Check your favorite...

Telemarketing's fun side.(on the record)
August 1, 2003... If you're like me, the first thing you think about when somebody telephones and offers you a service or product is getting rid of them--politely, if you can. "Yes, thanks for calling. And, yes, I would love to have my basement...

Michael Hatcher.(inside the owner's head)(Interview)
August 1, 2003... [c] Michael Hatcher & Associates Michael Hatcher owns Michael Hatcher & Associates, a $3.5 million design/build and maintenance company located in Memphis, TN. He is a member of the Associated Landscape Contractors of America and JP...

Face and conquer the pain.(market watch)(problem solving)
August 1, 2003... Almost one million people, competitors and spectators, attended Special Olympic World Games in Ireland this year. This extraordinary event meant a great deal to me. My 13-year-old nephew Nicholas, who's challenged by autism, swam for Team...

Lawn pros make most of D.C. event.(In the know: news you can use)(Arlington National Cemetery)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... WASHINGTON -- More than 200 volunteer lawn care employees from 30 states improved Arlington National Cemetery in July. They spread more than 1,000 bags of lime at PLCAA's Renewal & Remembrance project at the cemetery. "It's outstanding...

Quotable.(In the know: news you can use)(Arlington National Cemetery)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... "My first Day on the Hill was four years ago, and after that I knew I'd never miss another. When you pull in, everyone goes silent. Emotions run high. It makes us very proud to make Arlington more beautiful." --Jim Campanella, Owner, The...

Industry PR effort nears 1st $$ hurdle.(In the know: news you can use)(Evergreen Foundation Advocacy Council)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... The Evergreen Foundation Advocacy Council (EFAC) is nearing its initial $200,000 goal. This is the "good faith" money it must raise from the Green Industry in order for it to continue with its plans to enlist the entire industry in a national...

Emerald fungicide registered.(Clippings)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... MOUNT OLIVE, NJ -- BASF's Emerald fungicide gained registration from the U.S. EPA. The product, based on a new chemistry, displays excellent performance against dollar spot. Emerald is formulated as a 70% water dispersible granule and is...

Employees own Gardeners' Guild.(Clippings)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... SAN RAFAEL, CA -- Gardeners' Guild, Inc. became employee owned in mid summer. Linda Novy began transitioning the ownership and leadership of the company to its employees in 1988. She says that she will remain active with the company and serve...

Scotts boosts quarterly results.(Clippings)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... MARYSVILLE, OH -- The Scotts Company (NYSE: SMG) reported company-wide sales of $676.2 million, up 13% from $598.5 a year earlier.

Lastec.(People & companies)(Jeff Laskowski appointed)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Lastec named Jeff Laskowski CEO and President. His father, Donald Laskowski, announced his retirement from the board on April 11, 2003.

BASF Corp.(People & companies)(McGee Poole appointed)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... BASF Corp. added McGee Poole as a sales specialist in its Professional Turf & Ornamental Group. Poole will work in Kentucky and Indiana.

Tanaka.(People & companies)(Douglas Hellebuyck promoted)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Tanaka promoted Douglas Hellebuyck to National Sales Manager. Hellebuyck came to the company in 2002. He was formerly with Snapper, Inc.

The BOSS Snowplow.(People & companies)(Jeff Hess appointed)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... The BOSS Snowplow added Jeff Hess to its sales team.

PBI/Gordon Corp.(People & companies)(Mark Miller appointed)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... PBI/Gordon Corp. promoted Mark Miller to Vice President of Sales, Professional and Agricultural Products Group. Miller has been with PBI/Gordon for 14 years.

Bayer Environmental Science.(People & companies)(Dave Ravel appointed)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Bayer Environmental Science has hired Dave Ravel as a lawn care specialist covering Southeastern states from Atlanta through Maryland.

The Toro Company.(People & companies)(Terry Ormrod appointed)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... The Toro Company appointed Terry Ormrod Residential & Commercial Irrigation Sales Manager in Western Canada.

Wright Manufacturing.(People & companies)(E.J. Smith Group honored)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... * Wright Manufacturing has honored the E. J. Smith Group, Inc. with its 2003 Distributor Achievement Award.

RedMax.(People & companies)(Phill McCallon appointed)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... RedMax promoted Phill McCallon to Field Sales Manager for Distributing.

Plant Health Care.(People & companies)(Susan L. VanAlstine appointed)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Plant Health Care hired Susan L. VanAlstine as Marketing Associate.

Statistics: industry trends by the numbers.
August 1, 2003... GROUP CUSTOMERS FOR MORE PROFIT For most companies in the industry, 80% of annual revenues and profits come from 20% of the company's customer list. That's the good news! The bad news is that the bottom 30% of that list (the smallest...

Why you should budget: without a budget, you don't have a plan for growth. This landscaper realized that and did something about it.(Business Management)
August 1, 2003... It's a story heard time and time again. A guy starts a landscape business and the last thing he thinks about is creating a budget. Twenty years later, he still doesn't have a budget. He still has a business (if he's lucky), but he's still...

Create a capital budget with ease.
August 1, 2003... While we all have to work within our operating budgets, the institutional or in-house grounds manager has additional responsibilities that require additional funding. This additional funding is usually via capitalization. Capitalization is...

'Fire' clients--the right way: saying goodbye to customers who are unprofitable or no longer fit your operation means "never having to say you're sorry".(Business Management)
August 1, 2003... There are two primary reasons why contractors release some clients. First, because companies evolve. New businesses tend to take on "everything" at first just to turn a dollar. But over time, contractors develop their focus and change...

Maintain healthy ponds: follow these steps to preserve your clients' water gardens.(Water Feature Technology)
August 1, 2003... Ponds and water gardens are the fastest growing segment of landscaping today. They're soothing and provide visual stimulation that transforms outdoor living areas. But ponds and other water features do more than jut add aesthetic...

Texas State Capitol: 2002 PGMS Grand Award winner for government building or complex.(award-winning landscape management)(Professional Grounds Management Society)
August 1, 2003... Ivan Giraldo has come a long way from his hometown of Colombia, South America. The branch manager for TruGreen-LandCare came to the U.S. in 1985 to partner with two brothers in a landscaping company in Miami. "I always had an appreciation...

Sawing with safety.(LM Reports)(tree care)
August 1, 2003... "Inspect a tree before you start climbing," advises Greg Frank, vice president of Ted Collins Tree & Landscape, Victor, NY. "Safety first." That means safety for both the arborist's health and the tree's health. "Be sure the trunk isn't...

Turf fertility the responsible way: learn the ins and outs of new government regulations.(Technology)
August 1, 2003... In the past, designing a fertilizer program was simple. You reviewed your soil test or relied on your experience to decide what to buy. Then, you bought any fertilizer that replaced nutrients you were lacking. But things aren't so simple...

Exmark makes ROPS standard on mid-mount Zs.(Products: tech center)
August 1, 2003... A Rollover Protection System (ROPS) will be a standard feature on the 2004 line of Exmark Lazer Z mid-mount zero-turn riding mowers. The two-post ROPS has a fold-down feature to facilitate easy on/off trailer loading as well as mowing around...

No slow mow.(Products: tech center)
August 1, 2003... John Deere's 1545 front mower is ideal for mowing parks, schools, or apartment and industrial complexes. Equipped with a 31-hp Yanmar diesel engine, it has plenty of torque for tough mowing conditions. The engine's rear-mounted radiator lowers...

No-drill injection.(Products: tech center)
August 1, 2003... One application of Pointer insecticide using the Wedgle Direct-Inject Tree Treatment System provides season-long control of numerous tree pests including adelgids, borers, beetles, aphids, lacebugs and more. Chemicals are directly placed into...

Internet ready.(Products: tech center)
August 1, 2003... Rain Master claims it has come up with the industry's first Internet-based irrigation system. The iCentral system allows Rain Master customers using Eagle series controllers to receive instant alerts, connect to real-time weather updates,...

No mow problems.(Products: tech center)
August 1, 2003... Snapper's Pro Z commercial zero-turn riding mower features comfortable twin-lever steering control, seven-gauge steel frame and mower deck, a top speed of 9.5 mph, and field-serviceable spindles. The Dual Path Hydrostatic system provides...

Catch that grass.(Products: tech center)
August 1, 2003... Wright Manufacturing's Turbo 10 is a high capacity grass catching system designed to fit all Wright Stander, Sentar Velke models. Its three intake venturis and perforated steel panels lifts the grass away from the walls. This increases...

Patented push power.(Products: tech center)
August 1, 2003... Available in eight versions, the Pro-Tech SP Loader Model Sno Pusher comes standard with the company's quick-change attachment system, a 1 1/2-in. x 10-in. adjustable/reversible rubber cutting edge, and fully welded construction. The Sno...

Go wireless.(Products: tech center)
August 1, 2003... The new battery-powered wireless valve system from Hunter Industries is great for sites with no access to electrical power, such as freeway medians, roundabouts or other remote landscapes. It features the WVC wireless valve controller and the...

New truckloader ships in August.(Products: tech center)
August 1, 2003... Leaf season will be here before you know it and Little Wonder, a division of Schiller-Pfeiffer, Inc., is introducing a new shredding truckloader that will make landscape cleanups a snap. Features that make it unique in the category include:...

Force America spot sprayer.(Products: tech center)
August 1, 2003... The Critical Spot Sprayer assembly is designed for light to medium duty truck applications. Featuring stainless steel spray bars and extra high strength U.V. stabilized tanks, the Critical Spot Sprayer is capable of accurately applying liquids...

Happy trails.(Products: tech center)
August 1, 2003... Designed for landscapers, the Lazymans Slide-Tilt Trailer offers a six-degree load angle and 12-in. rear gate for easy loading and unloading. The trailer also offers 78 sq. ft. of deck space. The standard 6X12ST model can quickly and easily...

Yak it up.(Products: tech center)
August 1, 2003... Motorola's two new portable two-way radios, the CP150 and CP200, offer users significant differences in transmit power for greater operational flexibility. The 2W (UHF or VHF) CP150 is ideal for jobsite communications. Both radios stand only...

Events: what, when & where.(Brief Article)(Calendar)
August 1, 2003... August 20-24 ANLA Landscape Operations Tour / Southern Ohio; 202/789-2900 21 IPLLA Summer Field Day / Carmel, IN; 317/575-9010 24-27 2003 APWA International Public Works Congress and Exposition / San Diego, CA; 816/472-6100 ...

Never point the finger of blame.(Best practices: guidelines to help an industry grow)(problem solving)
August 1, 2003... Mid-season is when our weaknesses begin to take their toll on our operations. Quality issues surface, customer concerns raise their ugly little heads, employees show wear and tear, and owners and managers begin looking for ways to keep the...