Landscape Management articles from August 2004

Landscape Management archives from August 2004

Signature matches 'speed', efficiency.(Solutions center: real answers to real challenges)(Signature Landscape works )
August 1, 2004... Signature Landscape works to reduce labor required to maintain customers' turf and also to maintain quality--keeping turf dark green and weed-free. Signature, with 115 in-season employees, is one of the largest landscape maintenance contractors...

Not your father's OSHA?(On the record: from the boss)(Occupational Safety & Health Administration)
August 1, 2004... OSHA says it's putting on a new face. It's becoming (for lack of a better term) customer friendly. "Oh yea?" you say. "Show me." Who among us looks forward to a visit from an inspector from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational...

Make maintenance a plan.(Best practices: the strategic approach)
August 1, 2004... The key to keeping your labor costs low and avoiding overtime lies in planning. Maintenance is a repeat, predictable business. With the exception of weather interruptions, most of what you do can be planned and controlled. And, when it comes to...

All 'go' for ALCA/PLCAA merger.(In the know: news you can use)(Associated Landscape Contractors of America )(Professional Lawn Care Association of America )
August 1, 2004... The Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) and the Professional Lawn Care Association of America (PLCAA) will become one larger single association beginning Jan. 1, 2005. That is if members of both associations, in special elections...

GPS-guided mowers still need some tinkering.(In the know: news you can use)
August 1, 2004... Dayton, OH -- The Institute of Navigation (ION) hosted its first Autonomous Lawn Mower Competition this past June. Three university teams, each comprised of five students, built machines to autonomously mow a field of grass here. The ION is...

Davey donates to ALCA's AEF.(Clippings)(Associated Landscape Contractors of America, Educational Foundation )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... KENT, OH -- The Davey Tree Expert Company, Commercial Grounds Management Division, recently donated $25,000 to the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) Educational Foundation (AEF). The AEF helps fund educational opportunities by...

SpeedZone in Spanish.(Clippings)
August 1, 2004... KANSAS CITY, MO -- PBI/Gordon is providing a Spanish version of the SpeedZone Southern label and MSDS at www.pbigordon.com. For copies of Spanish labels and MSDS sheets call 800/821-7925.

Ewing partners with Baseline LLC.(Ewing Irrigation, Golf & Industrial )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... PHOENIX, AZ -- Ewing Irrigation, Golf & Industrial is partnering with Baseline LLC, which manufacturers soil moisture-based controllers for landscape applications. Ewing now carries BaseStation products.

Kim Heck named to lead the STMA.(Clippings)(Sports Turf Managers Association )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... LAWRENCE, KS--Kim Heck begins Sept. 1 as the first-ever, fulltime executive director of the 23-year-old Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA). Heck spent 10 years with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). Prior to...

New Z-turn ROPS design in works.(In the know: news you can use)(rollover protective structure)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... KEYSTONE, CO -- The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has partnered with two manufacturers to develop a state-of-the-art rollover protective structure (ROPS) for commercial zero-turn mowers. The goal of the new...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
August 1, 2004... COFFEYVILLE, KS -- In our June issue we used the designation ZTR in a headline and article to refer to the zero-turn category of mowers. ZTR is registered trademark of Dixon Industries, Inc. We regret any confusion this may have caused within...

GreenScapes Landscape Company, Inc.(People & companies)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... GreenScapes Landscape Company, Inc. added Doug Eing (above, left) as a commercial/public sales representative, Andrew Freeman as a residential landscape production manager, and John Loos as a production manager.

ProSource One.(People & companies)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... ProSource One announced that Frank Lopes, senior turf representative, has been awarded Seed Research of Oregon's prestigious "National Seed Marketing Award of Excellence."

Green Earth Landscaping & Design.(People & companies)
August 1, 2004... Green Earth Landscaping & Design was recently awarded the 2004 Snow & Ice Management Association "Award for Excellence in Business"--$1 million plus category.

Ewing Irrigation.(People & companies)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Ewing Irrigation appointed Chris Kurklin manager of the company's Katy facility. Ebo Reynoso will assume management of Ewing's Bellaire operations, and Brad McCullough will serve as manager of Ewing's Tyler location. The company appointed James...

Verdicon, Inc.(People & companies)(Verdicon, Inc)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Verdicon, Inc. hired Jerry Murphy as regional business manager to oversee the sales and operations for the pest control and turf & ornamental business segments in Northern California and Hawaii.

Pursell Technologies Inc.(People & companies)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Pursell Technologies Inc. promoted Arnold Cleghorn to president.

The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute.(People & companies)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute elected David R. Zerfoss (above, left), president of Husqvarna Forest and Garden, chairman, Fred J. Whyte (above, center), president of Stihl Incorporated, secretary/treasurer and Kendrick B. Melrose...

Georgia-Pacific Resins, Inc.(People & companies)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... James Wargo joins Georgia-Pacific Resins, Inc. as technical service agronomist for NITAMIN nitrogen fertilizer technology.

A water-wise wave? Water-wise landscaping is still largely determined by clients' wants. Unless the law gets involved.(Water-Wise Landscaping)
August 1, 2004... Landscape contractors might do well to use the marketing taglines Synthetic Lawns International uses for its synthetic grass lawn product called SYNLawn: How do you spend your weekends? Four hours on the golf course or four hours on your lawn?...

Succeed with great employees: your performance as a business is contingent upon the performance of your employees.(Team Selection)(Editorial)
August 1, 2004... Editor's note: This is the second of three articles on your key business drivers. This month we discuss employees. Next month check these pages for the third driver--financials. Last month we talked about the importance of taking a balanced...

A measure of success: owners weigh in on how they know their leaders had a winning day.(Leadership insights: growing green industry leaders)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... 1 It's numbers and a lot more. Jim Bever Jr., owner of Bever & Sons Landscaping in White Bear Lake, MN, says measurable indicators (profit, sales, hours/income) are easier to read when you are trying to measure success. However, the...

Breaking language barriers no easy task.(From the front lines)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Learning English as a second language can be difficult, but many agree it's necessary for employees who want to climb the ladder of success. Henry Rocha came to the United States from Mexico in 1987 and quickly realized that he needed to...

Leaders ... born or made?(Driving Your Business)
August 1, 2004... It is an age-old question, "Are leaders born or are leaders made?" The many management consulting gurus and personality testing people claim that leaders are born. You can spend a lot of time training an individual trying to get them to the...

Association spotlight: focus on associated landscape contractors of America.(Driving Your Business)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... The world's greatest athletes might have their sights set on the Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, but students interested in a career in the landscape industry already are looking forward to their own Olympic competition--the Associated...

Finding success in the land of opportunity.(Leadership insights: growing green industry leaders)
August 1, 2004... When Luiz Santos arrived in New York City in May 1996, he joined the ranks of people who come to the United States in search of the American dream. He had little money, knew only a few people in the country and didn't speak English, but he was...

Performance deliverables.(Leadership insights: growing green industry leaders)
August 1, 2004... Sports play an important part in our society. Think about the games--the excitement and the pride that is created. But what would happen if we didn't keep score? How would the participants know if they were successful or if they were improving?...

Leadership helps define culture.(By the numbers)
August 1, 2004... Did you know your company has its own "culture?" Your customer interactions and brand touch points--the conversations your employees have with each other and your customers; the business systems you have in place; external representations of...

A day in the life of a landscape professional: early to rise, late to bed and busy the whole day through.(Leadership insights: growing green industry leaders)
August 1, 2004... They are often up before the sun. There are clients to meet, details to take care of. Lunch? Sometimes. Late nights, depending on the seasons, and sometimes very little "me" time. We asked three industry professionals to give us a glimpse into...

Keep score, like in baseball.(Business ideas: play the game to win)
August 1, 2004... Some time ago, Jack Stack wrote a book entitled, "The Great Game of Business." What a great name for a book. I say that because business is like a game. It has rules. You need good players. The best teams make the most money. You have fun when...

Why Mondays are great days.(My way: leadership mindset)
August 1, 2004... When I graduated from high school, my father gave me this advice: "Find something you like to do and you won't have to work a day in your life." This shaped my perspective about work because I saw my father live it and I admired him for it ...

Rough rider.(Innovations: hot new products)
August 1, 2004... 1 Rough rider Polaris Industries' UTV 1500 is the perfect utility vehicle for tough, off-road jobs. It features an 18-hp V-twin, air-cooled 4-cycle engine, 4-wheel hydraulic disc brakes with steel braided brake lines, rustproof composite...

Making the cut.(Innovations: hot new products)
August 1, 2004... 2 Making the cut Howard Price Turf Equipment's 80-in. zero-turn mower with articulating deck has a wing that floats 20 inches up and 12 inches down for a manicured cut over knolls and undulations. The deck hydraulically folds and lifts for...

Easy transport.(Innovations: hot new products)
August 1, 2004... 3 Easy transport The JRCO Model 490 Transporter allows you to use your commercial walk-behind mower as a powered wheelbarrow. The Transporter uses the mower's power to transport landscape materials, grass or leaf clippings, lawn debris or...

It's trimmin' time.(Innovations: hot new products)
August 1, 2004... 4 It's trimmin' time Shindaiwa announces the availability of two new trimmers, the T195 and F195, for light-duty commercial use. Powered by a high-torque 0.9-hp, 19.8cc displacement 2-cycle engine, both models are EPA Phase Two compliant....

A truly uplifting experience.(From the shop: maintenance safety)
August 1, 2004... One of Florida's leading resort golf course equipment managers said, "It's the best tool in the shop." It has been called a back saver, a time saver and an equipment saver. What is this marvelous tool? The turf equipment lift. Access for...

When it's time to renovate: this can't-miss renovation program will restore badly damaged lawns ... and boost your reputation as a pro.(Turfgrass Management)
August 1, 2004... Lawns are the heart of the industry. Almost all of our companies exist largely due to our efforts caring for residential and commercial lawns. Still, despite our best efforts, lawns sometimes die. When this happens, our job is to successfully...

Rev up your engine IQ: don't know how to determine your engine options? Here's what to know about what's powering your production equipment.(Before You Buy)
August 1, 2004... In today's market, there are numerous pieces of outdoor power equipment available for just about anyone's taste. And there are many engine choices to power those machines. I have a lot of people ask me, "What engine is best for me?" Well, there...

Cultivators & soil renovators.(LM reports: your guide to product research)
August 1, 2004... Echo [eth] Weighing under 20 lbs., TC-210i Tiller/Cultivator combines user-friendly and commercial-duty features. The 4, 10-tooth reversible hardened-steel tines dig furrows 9 in. wide and 6 deep. Worm gear-type transmission delivers...

University of Pittsburgh: 2003 PGMS honor award winner for school or university grounds.(PGMS: award-winning landscape management)
August 1, 2004... You'd think that it would be hard to work for someone else after working for yourself for 15 years. But Dave Heintzinger says that's not the case. The grounds manager for the University of Pittsburgh had a successful run with his landscape and...

Get hooked.(Products: tools of the trade)
August 1, 2004... The JRCO Hooker aerator offers zero-turn maneuverability. The unique tine rotors utilize the forward force of the mower to make holes up to three in. deep. The Hooker pulls loose plugs of soil, eliminating messy hard cores and soil compaction....

Not too wet.(Products: tools of the trade)
August 1, 2004... Verdicon, Inc.'s two newest additions to its wetting agent product line, Respond 3 and Mizer, are specifically designed to battle localized dry spot, compaction and other management issues such as water optimization. Respond 3 concentrated...

Fit and trim.(Products: tools of the trade)
August 1, 2004... Husqvarna's new 324Lx commercial trimmer has a fuel-efficient 4-stroke engine that provides powerful performance with lower noise levels and reduced emissions while eliminating the need to mix gas and oil. It comes equipped with a heavy-duty...

No strings attached [eth].(Products: tools of the trade)
August 1, 2004... Woods Equipment Company's Estate Series of compact landscape attachments for light commercial use now include a single spindle rotary cutter, a tiller in three different widths, and a multi-function loader. The RCC42 rotary cutter has a 42-in....

A cut above.(Products: tools of the trade)
August 1, 2004... Remington introduces the Branch Wizard pole pruner with a 6.0 Amp motor that easily cuts through branches up to 6-in. thick with less effort. The unique, in-line powerhead design provides improved visibility of the cutting surface and allows...

Dressed to the nines f.(Products: tools of the trade)
August 1, 2004... Redexim Charterhouse has redesigned its Easy Spread topdresser to include a new hydraulic powered system. The self-loading machine is now available in two sizes (52- and 63-in. working width) and is designed to be loaded, driven to the site and...

Automatic improvement [eth].(Products: tools of the trade)
August 1, 2004... John Deere has expanded its utility ATV lineup with the addition of the new John Deere Buck 500 Auto. Arriving at dealers in early September, this machine will offer the smooth automatic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and...

Need a lift?(Products: tools of the trade)
August 1, 2004... Tiger Line Equipment's Trailevator is a hydraulically operated elevating trailer that not only lowers itself to ground level for fast, easy loading but also lifts its own weight, as well as the load, back to the hauling position. There's no...

No low blow [eth].(Products: tools of the trade)
August 1, 2004... Tanaka has added a large displacement blower to its lineup, the TBL-7600. The unit comes standard with a large, contoured assist handle and a three-position throttle lever on the frame. For maximum comfort, it weighs just 20.6 lbs., contains...

The switch is on.(Products: tools of the trade)
August 1, 2004... The Switch-N-Go (SNG) detachable truck kit allows a truck to 1) convert from body to body in six minutes--no hassles; 2) dump loads at 50 degrees; 3) winch cargo from ground level onto the truck chassis. The kit is electric over hydraulic and...

Events: what, when & where.(Resources)(Brief Article)(Calendar)
August 1, 2004... August 18 OSU/OTF Turfgrass Research Field Day / Columbus, OH; 888/683-3445 19 Ohio Lawn Care Diagnostic Seminar / Columbus, OH; 800/510-5296 19-21 Summer Green Show / Greensboro, NC; 919/816-9119 20 INLA 2004 Field Day /...

Home owners skimp on first-year fix-ups.(Statistics: industry trends by the numbers)(Home Improvement Research Institute)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... A March survey conducted by the Home Improvement Research Institute showed that just 22% of new home buyers do landscape projects in the first year. These projects include seeding lawns, purchasing or relocating plants, installing mulch and...

2002 Wisconsin green industry.(Statistics: industry trends by the numbers)(Illustration)
August 1, 2004... 2002 WISCONSIN GREEN INDUSTRY PRODUCER SECTOR, RECEIPTS BY SERVICE GREEN SERVICE RECEIPTS ($) Landscape Installation 382,550,000 Landscape/Lawn/Garden Maintenance ...

2003 T&O chemicals market.(Statistics: industry trends by the numbers)(Illustration)
August 1, 2004... 2003 T&O Chemicals Market Category $$ (millions) % Fungicides 212 32 Insecticides 181 27 Herbicides (post) 116 18 Herbicides (pre) 119 18 PGRs ...

The green industry's economic impact on Virginia.(Statistics: industry trends by the numbers)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Virginia's Green Industry provided more than 23,300 jobs in 2002 The state's economy benefits from the industry's $175 million per year contribution Total gross receipts from Virginia's Green Industry in 2002 were $1.1 billion ...