Landscape Management articles from February 2005

Landscape Management archives from February 2005

Too macho for our own good?(On the record: from the boss)
February 1, 2005... We're a masculine industry. We like sweat, especially when we see it popping out on the brows of our employees. We sprinkle our conversations with terms like labor-hour production, horsepower and blade speed. We drive pickup trucks and love to...

Keep a smile on their face: our employees in this industry fall into a common trap of over-promising to make customers happy. This usually starts the relationship down a road of distrust.(Best practices: customer service)
February 1, 2005... The key to any service business is a high level of customer satisfaction that leads to repeat business and business referrals. The landscape maintenance business is no different and has some unique challenges. In thinking about customer...

Why emissions standards matter.(In the know: news you can use)
February 1, 2005... The U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resource Board (CARB) set emission standards for the gasoline engines that power our handheld power tools. They set two types of standards, exhaust emissions and evaporative...

LCOs dismayed by Rochester action.(In the know: news you can use)(Lawn care companies)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... ROCHESTER, NY -- Lawn care companies here oppose a movement to make Monroe County the eighth county in the state to opt into its 2000 Neighborhood Notification law. The proposal was announced by county executive Maggie Brooks in January. ...

Scotts off to strong start in 2005.(Clippings)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... MARYSVILLE, OH -- Scotts reported that the acquisition of lawn and garden retailer Smith & Hawken boosted record sales for the first quarter of 2005. It reported a first-quarter net loss of $49.1 million, or $1.49 per share, compared to a net...

Hunter files suit from 2003 fire.(Clippings)
February 1, 2005... SAN MARCOS, CA -- Hunter Industries filed suit against Guardsmark, Inc., the company responsible for providing security at Hunter's manufacturing facility on October 26, 2003, the date of the irrigation company's costly fire. The suit claims...

Schiller-Pfeiffer still buying.(Clippings)(acquisition of Germantown Tool & Machine Works )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... SOUTHAMPTON, PA -- Schiller-Pfeiffer, Inc., manufacturer of Little Wonder, Mantis and Classen brands, acquired the assets of Germantown Tool & Machine Works of Huntington Valley, PA. The machining and fabrication facility, which employs 44,...

Harrell's targets lawn care.(Clippings)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... LAKELAND, FL -- Vernie Pickhardt is heading a group at Harrell's Fertilizer to serve the Florida lawn care market. Harrell's produces custom-blended fertilizers and distributes pesticides and grass seed to the professional market. Pickhardt,...

Kinmans set cruise and learn.(Clippings)(Kinman Institute )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... DUBLIN, OH -- The Kinman Institute is holding a Design Build Symposium at Sea on Jan. 8-15, 2006. The Caribbean cruise, which will visit the ports of Nassau, St. Thomas and St. Maarten, will include educational sessions and a two-day expo,...

PLANET, ANLA seek H-2B fix.(In the know: news you can use)(Professional Landcare Network )(American Nursery and Landscape Association )
February 1, 2005... Leaders of industry groups that count heavily on using immigrant labor--landscape, restaurant, cannery, horse training/breeding, resorts, etc.--convened in mid January in Washington D.C. They discussed strategy to convince Congress to pass...

Project Evergreen sets '05 goals.(In the know: news you can use)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Project Evergreen, an alliance of Green Industry associations, suppliers, media companies and end-user companies, announced its goals for 2005. Some of the projects it has targeted include: * Develop a tag line to be used by supporters at...

F.A. Bartlett Tree Expert Company.(People & companies)(promotion of Kenneth J. Karp)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The F.A. Bartlett Tree Expert Company promoted Kenneth J. Karp to Vice President, Marketing and Public Relations.

Dow AgroSciences.(People & companies)(promotion of Ryan Messner )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Dow AgroSciences has promoted Ryan Messner to serve as a sales representative for the Turf and Ornamental business.

Rain Bird Corp.(People & companies)(U.S. Green Building Council )(membership )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Rain Bird Corp. has become a member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), an organization renowned for setting environmental precedents among businesses nationwide.

Shindaiwa.(People & companies)(appointment of Chris Nordling)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Shindaiwa hired Chris Nordling as the company's Product Manager for trimmers, brushcutters, and lawn edgers.

Encore Manufacturing.(People & companies)(appointment of Billy Harms )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Encore Manufacturing appointed Billy Harms National Service Manager.

Hillenmeyer Landscape Services.(appoints Ken Hochkeppel)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Hillenmeyer Landscape Services hired Ken Hochkeppel as Sr. Vice President of Operations.

Redexim Charterhouse.(appoints Nate Patrick)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Redexim Charterhouse added an additional sales professional, Nate Patrick, to support its expanding network of North American distributors.

Hunter Industries.(People & companies)(appointment of Charles B. Huston )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Hunter Industries appointed Charles B. Huston to serve on the company's Advisory Board of Directors.

Total Landscape, Inc.(People & companies)(appointment of Elizabeth Burns )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Total Landscape, Inc. of St. Louis, MO, added Elizabeth Burns as Lead Designer on Total Landscape's Design/Build team; Julia Warner as Sales Representative on the Design/Build team; Tom Watson as Production Manager on the Production team.

Hunter Industries.(People & companies)
February 1, 2005... Hunter Industries hired Tim Jones (above, left) as Sales Manager I for sales through Hunter's exclusive distribution network. His territory will cover San Diego County. The company also hired Jason "J.T." Kidwell (above, right) as Sales Manager...

Landscape Images, Ltd.(People & companies)(Best Places to Work)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Landscape Images, Ltd. was selected by CityBusiness New Orleans as one of the region's "Best Places to Work."

Lifestyle Landscaping.(People & companies)(promotes Greg Stout )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Lifestyle Landscaping promoted Greg Stout to PlantCare Manager.

Production boosters: our readers help us select 10 great labor-savers for 2005.(Labor-Saving Ideas)(Cover Story)
February 1, 2005... There are only three main arenas where we can set ourselves apart from the other landscape and lawn service providers in our markets: * Lowest price * Best service * Most advanced technology. While we can build a presence...

One for all, all for one: Gardeners' Guild Inc.'s participatory approach to 'team-building' and safety training is paying off big time.(Safety Training)
February 1, 2005... Any small business's success depends on measurements. This is especially true for lawn service and landscape companies. Properties. Expenses. Customer retention. Sales. Gardeners' Guild Inc. (GGI), a 100% ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership...

GGI at a glance.(Safety Training)(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
February 1, 2005... Founded: 1972 Number of employees: 125 Market area: San Francisco Bay Area Approximate annual revenue: $8.5 million Business mix: 56% exterior maintenance, 10% interior maintenance, 44% enhancements, irrigation & construction...

The 'right fit': matching the right modified-duty task to injured employees keeps them working--and it controls workers' comp costs.(Safety Program Basics)
February 1, 2005... When an employee at Dennis' Seven Dees Landscaping in Portland, OR, is injured, he or she shouldn't expect to sit home. Unless it's clear from a doctor that the person is unable to work at all, company managers will work hard to find a...

Don't be shy, network: the timid landscaper's way to promote their company and increase sales.(Get In The Game)
February 1, 2005... We could role-play until we turned blue in the face. We could read all the self-help books ever written, watch all the videos ever made and some of us would still have a hard time meeting and greeting strangers. We're all different when it...

Chris Kaylor: Kaylor Landscape.(Inside the owner's head: personality profile)(Interview)
February 1, 2005... Chris Kaylor owns Kaylor Landscape, a $1.2 design/build company located in Porterville, CA that has been in business for 30 years. About 95% of its customer base is residential. The company, which has 14 employees, also performs some...

Our goal: leaner operations: the best way to drive down costs is to reduce waste by standardizing value-added processes and reducing non-value-added processes.(My way: eliminate wasted effort)
February 1, 2005... Reducing waste has to be the number one priority of every contractor over the next several years. Your profits depend upon it because the market has changed. The old profit model of identifying your cost, adding a profit margin to determine a...

Get on schedule.(Innovations: hot new products)
February 1, 2005... 1 Get on schedule With Rain Master's new ZipET, iCentral Internet customers can get site specific daily ET (based upon your zip code) delivered to any controllers located in the United States. By using daily ET, the Rain Master Eagle...

Modular control.(Innovations: hot new products)
February 1, 2005... 2 Modular control The Toro Company's new TMC-424 modular irrigation controller is a high-tech irrigation tool, but it's simple to operate. Its modularity allows a flexible station count in either 4- or 8-station modules up to 24 stations....

Rain Bird upgrade.(Innovations: hot new products)
February 1, 2005... 3 Rain Bird upgrade Rain Bird's Version 2.0, the latest version of its single-site, commercial central control product line, is now standard with all SiteControl packages. Version 2.0 features RainWatch for SiteControl, that works with up...

Water savers.(Innovations: hot new products)
February 1, 2005... 4 Water savers Hunter Industries has assembled the Proven Water Saver family of products. Encompassing all major component categories--rotors, sprays, valves and controllers--this line makes it easier for installers and designers to create...

Need a technician? There's a technician shortage. You'll find that out when you need one. They're hard to find and harder to keep.(From the shop: recruiting plans)
February 1, 2005... You need a technician...again? What's going on here? There's a technician shortage. You'll find that out when you need one. Ask any power equipment dealer. Ask any distributor that deals with turf or power equipment. Ask a golf course...

A special partnership with Briggs & Stratton Commercial Power.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Shopping for replacement parts is an important aspect of repairing an engine and the piece of equipment it's mounted to. When your engine is in need of repair or maintenance parts, remember these important points: 1. Use Original Equipment...

Add a 'techie' to your team: with technology changing daily, business owners are realizing the need to add a technology person to their list of trusted advisors.(InfoTech: hiring a technology advisor)
February 1, 2005... Surround yourself with the brightest people you can find and you're on the road to success. Your "dream team" of advisors might include the right banker, the right lawyer and the right accountant. But, have you found the right technology...

What's new in February at the Green Industry Hub: Plants & Planting.(Learning Center)(www.greenindustryhub.com )
February 1, 2005... Visit www.greenindustryhub.com to get free access for 30 days to the newest course in its 45-course library: Plants and Planting. This Web-site gives you access to a variety of sections (see below) for free. If you join as a Premium...

New this month: Plants & Planting.(Advertorial)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... Use this PLANET certification study course as an excellent introduction for your new employees in 2005. They will get the basics of plant biology and growth patterns, as well as critical information on planting techniques to help plants thrive....

Long live handhelds: proper maintenance and transportation of handheld equipment will ensure long life.(Equipment Care)
February 1, 2005... Most handheld equipment doesn't follow a regular manufacturer-recommended maintenance schedule like trucks or mowers, but you still need to keep track of how your handhelds are running in order to get the most life from them. As an...

High air speed unit.(Hot handheld products)
February 1, 2005... Efco features its new BP162 backpack blower. The 61.3-cc commercial-duty model delivers a combination of high air speed and air volume designed to provide fast and efficient performance. Features include a large capacity translucent fuel tank,...

Convert with ease.(Hot handheld products)
February 1, 2005... John Deere showcases the XT140LE trimmer/brushcutter in its Pro-Series line. The product offers a 1.6-hp (JIS) (25.6-cc), low emission, M-Series engine for efficient, quiet and long-lasting use. The solid steel, straight, 59-in. shaft reduces...

Sure starter.(Hot handheld products)
February 1, 2005... Shindaiwa, Inc's 352s chain saw is the company's first new chain saw since the introduction of the 357 top handle saw in 1995. The modern designed chain saw is based on the popular 360. With only 35.2 cc displacement, 2.5 horsepower (1.9 kW),...

It's a tornado!(Hot handheld products)
February 1, 2005... The new Echo SRM-210i Straight Shaft String Trimmer is powered by Echo's 21.2-cc Power Boost Tornado engine and features its revolutionary i-start starting system. The Power Boost Tornado engine delivers more power, improved engine performance...

Efficient 4-stroke.(Hot handheld products)
February 1, 2005... Husqvarna's new 324Lx commercial trimmer features a fuel-efficient 4-stroke engine, which provides powerful performance with lower noise levels. It also eliminates the need to mix gas and oil. The new trimmer is equipped with a heavy-duty...

Trim to the max.(Hot handheld products)
February 1, 2005... The RedMax BCZ2600S trimmer is powered by a 25.4-cc, pure two-cycle Strato Charged engine. The engine introduces fresh air between the exhaust gases and the fresh charge of air/fuel mix. This eliminates the need for a catalytic converter. A...

Cutting edge.(Hot handheld products)
February 1, 2005... The new Little Wonder double-edge gas hedge trimmer offers high-quality craftsmanship in 24- and 30-in. blade lengths. These heavy-duty trimmers pack enough power to easily cut through stubborn growth up to one inch thick. The Little Wonder...

Light but lovely.(Hot handheld products)
February 1, 2005... Tanaka added a lightweight 24-cc, 1.2-hp grass trimmer to its professional landscape line-up. The TBC-2500 weighs 10.8 lbs. (with cutting head) and combines the same power as the TBC-2501 with the TBC-230's proven gear box. Additional...

Get the edge.(Hot handheld products)
February 1, 2005... Maruyama's ED2320 handheld edger makes short work of curved edges, side hills, beds with overhanging bushes and unusually shaped flowerbeds. It has a fully-supported, heavy duty flex steel drive shaft and rugged steel clutch drum that's...

Complete line.(Hot handheld products)
February 1, 2005... Honda Power Equipment produces a complete line of premium 4-stroke string trimmers and stick edgers for commercial and residential applications. The HHT31S hand-held trimmer uses Honda's 1.5-hp, 360-degree inclinable GX31 mini 4-stroke engine,...

Turf fertilizers in the crosshairs: it's not enough to use fertilizers responsibly; you have to speak out and defend their use, as well.(Responsible Fertilization)
February 1, 2005... Every day, I roll out of bed at 5 a.m., get dressed and, on my way out the door, I look over my shoulder and say, "See you later, dear, I'm off to pollute our rivers, contaminate the Chesapeake Bay, and turn our home state into a toxic...

Power in their hands: Middleton Lawn & Pest Control's techs use new mobile tools to drop costs, boost customer service.(Solutions center: real answers to real challenges)
February 1, 2005... With 300-plus employees operating out of 16 branch offices across central Florida, Middleton Lawn & Pest Control knew there was a better way to track its 50,000 residential customers. Its lawn techs alone have as many as 25 appointments daily....

Compact tractors.(LM reports: your guide to product research)
February 1, 2005... Ditch Witch [eth] The Ditch Witch RT55 is the most compact of the company's RT series. It features an integrated front cast weight that reduces counterweight requirements and helps provide superior balance when running attachments....

California Institute of Technology: 2004 PGMS Grand Award Winner for University and College Grounds.(PGMS: award-winning landscape management)(Professional Grounds Management Society)
February 1, 2005... It's a good thing Milton Olander III has a sense of humor. Otherwise, he might have quit his job as grounds supervisor at the California Institute of Technology a long time ago due to all the student pranks. Imagine finding the Beckman Hall...

No more moles.(Products: tools of the trade)
February 1, 2005... Bell Laboratories has come out with Talpirid, a mole bait that the company says is the only one that has been proven to work in both field and laboratory testing. In the past, mole baits were developed assuming that moles were similar to rats...

Tractor factor.(Products: tools of the trade)
February 1, 2005... Allmand's 8435 and 8435 HST compact utility tractors feature powerful diesel engines, two power train model options and mechanical 4WD. Powered by a 36-hp Mitsubishi S4L2 diesel engine, the 8435 features a synchro-shuttle shift transmission...

Go like a hydro.(Products: tools of the trade)
February 1, 2005... Havener Enterprises has added hydro commercial mowers to its Bradley mower line. Designed in conjunction with Hydro-Gear, Bradley hydro mowers utilize IZT wheel motor pumps technology that allow for a lower center of gravity. They're available...

On track.(Products: tools of the trade)
February 1, 2005... HydroPoint Data Systems announces the introduction of the WeatherTRAK ET plus controller, which features fully integrated WeatherTRAK Scheduling Engine software that takes the guesswork out of irrigation programming. The Scheduling Engine...

Dress it up.(Products: tools of the trade)
February 1, 2005... Millcreek introduces two new topdressers, the Turf Tiger Cubs, with 1.8 and 2.3 cu. yd. capacity. The new units feature the exclusive Saber Tooth beater, which provides a dramatic increase in application speed without compromising spreading...

Sensitive but tough.(Products: tools of the trade)
February 1, 2005... Dixon Industries' new PRO Series Kodiak zero-turn mower comes with a choice of Honda 20-hp, Kawasaki 19-hp, Kohler 20-hp or Briggs & Stratton 21-hp Vanguard engines with large capacity canister air filters. The extra large one-gal. hydraulic...

Can you dig?(Products: tools of the trade)
February 1, 2005... Case has upgraded four of its CX compact excavators to be Tier 2 certified, increasing horsepower, hydraulic pressure and hydraulic flow at the same time. The upgraded Case CX27B, CX31B, CX36B and CX50B compact excavators now feature an overall...

Savvy software.(Products: tools of the trade)
February 1, 2005... Intac International has released Wintac Green 2005, an enhanced version of their best-selling all-in-one program that integrates scheduling, routing, automatic billing, job tracking, estimating, purchasing, accounting and marketing. Suited for...

Big push.(Products: tools of the trade)
February 1, 2005... Earth & Turf Products, LLC, announces its Model 24D TruFlow, a push-type topdresser for dry, flowable materials, featuring: 3 cu. ft. capacity, 8-in. diameter dispersal drum, 24-in. wide spreading pattern, adjustable front gate opening, simple...

Seed the future.(Products: tools of the trade)
February 1, 2005... Turf-Seed is targeting spring 2005 to release the industry's first commercially available seeded variety of seashore paspalum. Seashore paspalum, which has high tolerance to both heat and salt, has long been seen as a viable alternative to...

Aerate great.(Products: tools of the trade)
February 1, 2005... Toro's HydroJect 3010, a high velocity water injection system used for aeration, ensures that play on sports fields won't be disrupted. The HydroJect aerates the turf with a high velocity water injection system that penetrates down to as much...

Ride and aerate.(Products: tools of the trade)
February 1, 2005... Schiller-Pfeiffer, Inc., manufacturer of Little Wonder, Mantis and Classen branded landscaping, gardening and turf care equipment, presents a completely new concept in aerating with the Classen SA-25 Stand-Aer. This ride-on unit provides total...

Events: what, when & where.(Brief Article)(Calendar)
February 1, 2005... February 15 Green Industry Day on the Hill / Madison, WI; Sponsored by the Wisconsin Landscape Federation; 414/529-4705 16 15th Annual Nevada Landscape Association Trade Show & Conference / Reno, NV; 800/645-9794; www.nevadanla.com ...

GMO crops by the numbers.(Statistics: industry trends by the numbers)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... While the question of genetically modified turfgrass awaits the decisions of several government agencies, biotech has made a huge impact since the first GMO crop was commercialized in 1996. Consider: 18 Countries growing biotech crops...

Which of the following did your organization do last year?(Statistics: industry trends by the numbers)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
February 1, 2005... WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING DID YOUR ORGANIZATION DO LAST YEAR? 29% of LM's readers added a service last year. Bought or acquired a new franchise 1% Sold all or part of the business 1% Opened a new branch 2%...