Landscape Management articles from March 2005

Landscape Management archives from March 2005

It's not just the money: landscape business leaders reveal how they drive employee loyalty, and it's not all about wages.(BUSINESS: EMPLOYEE RETENTION)
March 1, 2005... The pendulum swings from an employers' market to an employee's market due to recruiting challenges that are developing for various positions in different regions of the United States. Green Industry service companies must give closer attention...

Employee turnover's $$ cost.
March 1, 2005... Did you know that you can put a dollar figure on losing a good employee? Until a couple of weeks ago I hadn't given it much thought. And even if you had pressed me to tell you what that figure would be, my guess would have grossly...

Workers' comp strategies.(Best Practices: SAFETY MEANS SAVINGS)
March 1, 2005... Many companies face tighter margins due to the competitive nature of the market. Wages, health care costs, fuel and material prices continue to climb while prices stay the same. In many cases, companies have contracts going out to bid that were...

Zerfoss: change will mean more intensity.(In the Know: NEWS YOU CAN USE)
March 1, 2005... The announcement that Electrolux AB, the world's largest maker of household appliances, is spinning off its outdoor products unit is positive news for the commercial landscape industry, said Husqvarna North America President David Zerfoss. ...

Canada won't restrict 2,4-D.(In the Know: NEWS YOU CAN USE)
March 1, 2005... OTTAWA -- Canada said on Monday it did not plan to restrict the use of the popular garden pesticide 2,4-D and said the public had no need to worry about a substance that some activists say can cause cancer, reported Reuters on Feb. 21. ...

Industry fights phosphorus bans.(responsible industry for a sound environment)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Businesses and associations, including Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment (RISE) and CropLife America, filed a motion and supporting papers with the U.S. District Court in Wisconsin this winter, asking the court to...

STMA honors Hunter's Wightman.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... PHOENIX, AZ -- The Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) has awarded long-time Hunter employee, Lynda Wightman, the Harry C. Gill Memorial Award. Originally called the "Lawn Ranger Award," the award was renamed after the STMA's second...

Skinner Nurseries grows in Maryland.(CLIPPINGS)
March 1, 2005... CENTREVILLE, MD -- Skinner Nurseries acquired the former Bridgetown Farms, Inc., here. The new Skinner location is one of 15 across the Sunbelt and will be managed by Craig Higgs, who had owned Bridgetown Farms.

SIMA beefs up Web.(Snow and Ice Management Association's redesigned website, www.sima.org.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... ERIE, PA -- Check out the redesigned Web site of the Snow & Ice Management Association (SIMA), www.sima.org. "Property managers can use it to search for snow and ice managers in their area. You can learn all about what it means to be a...

Spanish labels on PBI/Gordon site.(CLIPPINGS)
March 1, 2005... KANSAS CITY, MO -- PBI/Gordon Corp. added Spanish versions of its product labels and MSDS information for its most popular products, Speedzone, Trimec Classic and Trimec 992 to its Web site (www.pbigordon.com). Copies of Spanish labels can also...

NITAMIN distributor expanding.(CLIPPINGS)
March 1, 2005... ORLANDO, FL -- Fairmount Minerals is expanding its manufacturing capabilities in the South and distribution capabilities in the Northeast and South. Fairmount Minerals currently manufactures NITAMIN coated sand at its facility in Bridgman, MI....

LCOs get free stuff at new Bayer site.(Bayer Environmental Science launches web site, BayerMarketingTools.com for lawn care operators)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... MONTVALE, NJ -- Bayer Environmental Science launched the Web site, BayerMarketingTools.com, to help lawn care professionals build their businesses. All materials available for order through the website are free to LCOs. Materials include...

NY county legislators target pesticides.(In the Know: NEWS YOU CAN USE)
March 1, 2005... ROCHESTER, NY -- Monroe County is likely to become the eighth county in New York to adopt the controversial Neighbor Notification Law. A group of lawmakers is planning for the county to "opt-in" to the law that was approved by NY State...

NFL and MLB groundskeepers create a field of dreams for Phoenix high school.(In the Know: NEWS YOU CAN USE)
March 1, 2005... PHOENIX, AZ -- The day before the kick off of the Sports Turf Managers Association Annual Conference, more than 50 professional athletic field managers from the NFL and MLB joined forces to renovate the baseball field at North High School (NHS)...

Bobcat building support center.(CLIPPINGS)
March 1, 2005... BISMARCK, ND -- The Bobcat Company, a business unit of Ingersoll-Rand, announced a $9.5 million project to develop a manufacturing support center (MSC). The new facility will be approximately 100,000 sq. ft., and it should open up space at the...

Two KC firms form Highland Outdoor.(CLIPPINGS)
March 1, 2005... OLATHE, KS -- The Kincaide Company and ADKI Group, LLC, merged to create Highland Outdoor, a full-service landscape company. The new company will offer landscape design/build, installation, maintenance and irrigation as well as other exterior...

The Care of Trees keeps on growing.(CLIPPINGS)
March 1, 2005... MARSHALL, VA -- The Care of Trees has opened two new offices here and in Annapolis, MD. The overall region now extends from Maryland's Eastern Shore to the Virginia Piedmont to Baltimore, MD, and south of Warrenton, VA.

Lawn Doctor adds eight locations.(CLIPPINGS)
March 1, 2005... HOLMDEL, N.J -- Lawn Doctor recently announced the opening of eight new locations in Kentucky, Texas, Montana and Pennsylvania. These Lawn Doctor Franchisees graduated from Lawn Doctor's comprehensive two-week New Owner Training Class. Lawn...

Symbiot and JDL extend agreement.(CLIPPINGS)
March 1, 2005... SANDY, UT -- Symbiot said that its national purchasing contract with John Deere Landscape, a P3 supplier for Symbiot's service providers has been extended until 2010, allowing JDL to continue as an exclusive supplier for irrigation equipment...

JP Horizon winners to cruise.(CLIPPINGS)
March 1, 2005... PAINESVILLE, OH -- Peter Copses, Gibbs Landscape Co., Smyrna, GA, and Nikki Stein, Bever and Sons Landscaping, White Bear Lake, MN, each won a cruise to The Bahamas as winners of the JP Horizons Sales Jam 2004 competition. Mark Lay, co- owner...

H-2B help still a possibility.(In the Know: NEWS YOU CAN USE)
March 1, 2005... WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The "Save Our Small Seasonal Businesses Act" can still be passed this spring--either on its own or as an add-on to some other federal legislation. But the owners of small businesses that have relied upon the H-2B...

Agrisel USA, Inc.(People & companies)
March 1, 2005... Agrisel USA, Inc. named Luciana Jaber administrative sales assistant.

Exmark.(People & companies)
March 1, 2005... Exmark added Mark Aldendifer as product manager for the company's aftermarket parts and accessories.

Husqvarna.(People & companies)
March 1, 2005... Husqvarna hired renowned industry trainer Tim Ard to serve as the company's manager of field applications.

Ewing Irrigation.(People & companies)
March 1, 2005... Ewing Irrigation appointed Geoffrey Simpson manager of its Washington facility.

The International Society of Arboriculture.(People & companies)
March 1, 2005... The International Society of Arboriculture bestowed the Board Certified Master Arborist designation to Scott Bates from Bartlett's Springfield office.

Maruyama U.S., Inc.(People & companies)
March 1, 2005... Maruyama U.S., Inc. hired Larry Snow as general sales manager.

Bell Laboratories.(People & companies)
March 1, 2005... Bell Laboratories named Brad Herman account manager for the turf and ornamental industry.

The Alabama Nursery and Landscape Association.(People & companies)
March 1, 2005... The Alabama Nursery and Landscape Association (ALNLA) recently honored Jim Pursell, chairman of the board for Pursell Technologies Inc., with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

HRP LanDesign.(People & companies)
March 1, 2005... HRP LanDesign promoted Hwa Wang to senior associate.

Hunter Industries.(People & companies)
March 1, 2005... Hunter Industries promoted Brandon Meadows to vice president of sales.

Bayer Environmental Science.(People & companies)
March 1, 2005... Bayer Environmental Science named Michael Daly (above, left) director of marketing for the Chipco Professional Products Division, Jim Fetter (above, center) manager of the Lawn & Landscape Sales Region, and Ben Cicora (above, right) business...

Aquatrols.(People & companies)
March 1, 2005... Aquatrols appointed Tom Malehorn international accounts manager.

Seeking a change? Start with yourself.(Geist & Associates, Inc)
March 1, 2005... Speaker/Facilitator Sam Geist of Geist & Associates, Inc., said the best thought of the 2-1/2-day Executive Forum was, "How can I change myself?" Leaders will affect change in their organizations, once their own practices and ideas have been...

Final thanks for a great CEO.(PLANET Meeting Brief: NEWS FROM THE EXECUTIVE FORUM)(Debra Holder)(Associated Landscape Contractors of America)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... RIO GRANDE, PR -- Former ALCA President Rick Doesburg's tribute to Debra Holder, the association's former executive director, highlighted the Executive Forum Awards Banquet here. Taking the stage midway through the dinner at the lavish...

Snodgrass named 'Landscape Pro of the Year': LM magazine makes presentation at Executive Forum.(PLANET Meeting Brief: NEWS FROM THE EXECUTIVE FORUM)
March 1, 2005... RIO GRANDE, PR -- How does a company tally the true cost of serious on-the-job injuries? The physical pain it causes? The financial losses resulting to the injured parties and their families? The disruption of service to customers? The cost of...

Roundtables inspire ideas: PLANET Participants swap experiences, share strategies.(PLANET Meeting Brief: NEWS FROM THE EXECUTIVE FORUM)(Panel Discussion)
March 1, 2005... RIO GRANDE, PR -- There's no better way for a small group to discuss common issues or challenges than around a roundtable. While it's necessary to appoint somebody to point the discussion in the right direction, there's no head of the table, no...

Here's how to boost profits.(Business Ideas: ADVICE YOU CAN USE)
March 1, 2005... We're all well into the new year and ramping up our busy spring services, optimistic about this new season. The economy looks good, new housing starts remain strong and interest rates low. Demand for landscaping construction and maintenance is...

Grow your company's worth: strategies that will increase your company's value in the eyes of a potential buyer.(BUSINESS: BUILDING EQUITY)(Cover Story)
March 1, 2005... "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." This ancient and often recited phrase is packed full of meaning and truths. It can also say a lot about your business. How so? Let me explain. Years ago, you may have started your business with the...

Drug testing--the time's now: drug and alcohol abuse in the workplace can damage or destroy what it's taken years for an owner to build.(Business: BUSINESS PROTECTION)
March 1, 2005... Dick Gooding has paid the price of not having a drug and alcohol testing program in place at his small landscape design/build company sooner than he did. Effective July of 2004, Gooding's Nursery & Landscaping in Sherrodsville, OH, was...

Respect 'customer IQ': being sensitive to your customers' knowledge of horticulture is a sure-fire way to impress them.
March 1, 2005... "Isn't that nice?" John asked as he showed me the colored pencil sketch of my proposed landscape. John knew something about customer service. His landscape business operated at full speed via word-of-mouth in its short two years of existence....

One high-flying job: Florida landscape contractor finds sky is the limit for airport maintenance contract.(BUSINESS: BIG JOB MANAGEMENT)
March 1, 2005... Tom Jacobs no longer thinks that long pauses in conversation with his crews over the cell phone is strange or unusual... especially the ones on duty at Ft. Lauderdale International Airport. He knows they're simply waiting for an airplane to...

Stand or sit.(Innovations: HOT NEW PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2005... 1 Stand or sit Wright Manufacturing's new Sentar Sport heavy duty, commercial grade lawnmower offers the same high performance as the original Sentar, but in a smaller package. Sentar Sport's 36-in. cutting deck adds to its agility and...

Keep a cool head.(Innovations: HOT NEW PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2005... 2 Keep a cool head The Cooling Neck Shade from Silver Eagle Outfitters is made of specially engineered, three-layer evaporative cooling fabric that works with water to offer hours of effective cooling. The cooling process is activated when...

Lots of protection.(Innovations: HOT NEW PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2005... 3 Lots of protection Hustler's ATZ zero-turn mower features a certified 2-post ROPS with 4-post roll cage for operator security and white RC 26 wheel motors that provide more torque at lower pressures for improved slope performance. A top...

Rrrr ... a Predator.(Innovations: HOT NEW PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2005... 4 Rrrr... a Predator Bob-Cat's new Predator-Pro series of zero-turn riding mowers brings increased power and speed to the commercial cutting business. The mower's Generac overhead valve gas engines generate the highest horsepower...

A special partnership with Briggs & Stratton Commercial Power.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Spring is near, so it's time to think about performing an annual mower tune-up. Not only does it reduce mower emissions and fuel consumption, but it also extends the engine's life. Tune-up with these simple steps: 1. Change filter--Replace...

Gas: keep it 'fresh'.
March 1, 2005... Is your technician baffled by the continuing problem of gummed up carburetors? Is he finding water and dirt in the fuel? And just what is this mysterious white corrosion that seems to eat carburetor metal? What's going on? The causes...

What's new in March at the Green Industry Hub: turf chemicals course.
March 1, 2005... Go online today, visit the www.greenindustryhub.com and sign up to be a free or Premium subscriber of the Green Industry Hub, an online community focused on education, information sharing and industry professionalism. Both free and Premium...

Defeating spam and worse.(InfoTech: PROTECT YOUR DATA)
March 1, 2005... Making sure that your computer was secure used to involve locking your office door. With Internet access available just about everywhere--office, home and on the road, you can't hide from serious security issues. Phishing, spam, spyware,...

PGRs--why and where: the selective use of plant growth regulators offers landscape service providers some real benefits.(TECHNOLOGY: GROWTH REGULATORS)
March 1, 2005... Plant growth regulators (PGRs) have been around for longer than most of us have been providing grounds maintenance or lawn care. At least the older compounds have. The term PGR refers to any compound that increases or decreases plant growth....

Seeds: what's new? Great new seeded turfgrasses sure to please your clients and lessen your maintenance chores.
March 1, 2005... If your clients' lawns are prone to suffer from gray leaf spot, chinch bug damage, drought stress or any of a host of other disease, insect or environmentally induced stresses, take heart. A small cadre of turfgrass breeders continually scours...

Small victory for seed farmers.(TECHNOLOGY: IMPROVED TURFGRASSES)
March 1, 2005... LAS VEGAS -- This past January, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Linda B. Riegle entered a judgment for $14.87 million that will provide more vindication than financial relief for farmers and other creditors in the AgriBioTech Inc. (ABT) bankruptcy. ...

Let there be light: landscape lighting can brighten your clients' yards--and your company's profit margins.
March 1, 2005... It's part science and part art. Landscape lighting is a wonderful field," says Michael Gallia, owner of Metamorphosis Landscaping, Milbrae, CA. He founded the company 16 years ago, focusing on second-story decks at first. He's since...

Walk-behinds.
March 1, 2005... Yazoo/Kees New Kutter lineup offers the durability and productivity of a hydro walk, at a cost just over a gear-drive unit. The IZT features dual, sealed-for-life transmissions from Hydro-Gear. This eliminates hoses, oil filters,...

Wake Forest University: 2004 PGMS Grand Award Winner for University and College Grounds.
March 1, 2005... When Jim Coffey arrived at Wake Forest University in 1986, the grounds wasn't much to speak of. But that was fine with him. Starting with a blank canvas was a thrill for him because it allowed him to paint his own picture of what the campus...

Landscape for learning: landscape is part of marketing plan for the University of Akron.
March 1, 2005... The University of Akron is investing $300 million in a project called "landscape for learning." Before you sell your landscaping business and move to Ohio, keep in mind that the $300 million is not all for landscape work. The project will...

Pop goes the spray head.(Products: TOOLS OF THE TRADE)
March 1, 2005... Combining the benefits of the Rain Bird 1800 spray head with the efficiency and flexibility of low volume irrigation, Rain Bird Corp. has added the new 12-in. Xeri-Pop to the XP Series of micro-spray pop-ups. Utilizing Rain Bird's proven...

Color your mulch.(Products: TOOLS OF THE TRADE)
March 1, 2005... Designed for use on Vermeer horizontal grinders, the ColorMaster CM101 coloring system converts low value wood waste into profitable, color-enhanced landscaping mulch. As a durable, entry-level unit in the mulch colorant industry, the CM101...

Fluff it up.(Products: TOOLS OF THE TRADE)
March 1, 2005... Grassroots Technology introduces the MulchPRO Power Rake attachment for commercial grade straight shaft string trimmers. MulchPRO fluffs up and rejuvenates faded and compressed mulch to bring back the original "new" look. The standard size...

Dress it up.(Products: TOOLS OF THE TRADE)
March 1, 2005... R & R Power Turf's new self-propelled Power Top Dresser allows lawn care professionals and business operators to top dress lawns more easily and profitably than ever before. The Power Top Dresser's capacity is greater than traditional push-type...

Go mow.(Products: TOOLS OF THE TRADE)
March 1, 2005... The Encore X-treme, a new "serious red" mower with more horsepower and bigger tires in a 52-in. deck size, is rolling off the trucks in time for the 2005 mowing season. Designed for power and versatility, it features a 23-hp air-cooled Kawasaki...

Tend to your turf.(Products: TOOLS OF THE TRADE)
March 1, 2005... Dakota Peat & Equipment introduces the 414 Turf Tender to its topdresser product line. Built at the request of customers, the 414 features a 4-yd. hopper and is designed to spread any type of material needed for turf maintenance or...

Rake it in.(Products: TOOLS OF THE TRADE)
March 1, 2005... JRCO's tine rake dethatcher will give you a quick spring green-up by removing embedded thatch and leaves and combing matted turfgrass while mowing. Flexible tines allow zero-turning while raking. It's available in 36-, 46- and 60- in. widths...

See the light.(Products: TOOLS OF THE TRADE)
March 1, 2005... Vista Professional Outdoor Lighting introduces Model 3216, a new up and accent light with exclusive, ultra-wide aperture shroud. The new Vista 3216 allows the total spread of the lamp light to flow uniformly along the inner walls of the shroud,...

On track.(Products: TOOLS OF THE TRADE)
March 1, 2005... ASV introduces the new Posi-Track RCV, a vertical lift machine with 86 hp, high flow hydraulics, hydraulic quick attach and selectable self-leveling. According to ASV, the RCV is the industry's first vertical lift machine designed from the...

Neighborly vehicle.(Products: TOOLS OF THE TRADE)
March 1, 2005... Columbia ParCar Corp.'s new Summit Utility Vehicle (SUV) features an automotive-style roof; safety glass windshield; head, tail and stop lights; tubular steel front bumper; rear steel bumper; adjustable, automotive-style, fabric- covered,...

Control growth.(Products: TOOLS OF THE TRADE)
March 1, 2005... SePRO Corporation's new Cutless Granular landscape growth regulator reduces the need for trimming by suppressing growth of woody ornamental plants and perennial ground covers. Cutless Granular improves the overall shrub shape and generates...

Fall for this kit.(Products: TOOLS OF THE TRADE)
March 1, 2005... Adding the look and sound of a waterfall to an above-ground or in-ground pond is easy and affordable with the new Beckett waterfall kit. The kits comes complete with all of the water gardening components needed to create a 16-in.- wide flowing...

Seeding is believing.(Products: TOOLS OF THE TRADE)
March 1, 2005... Gandy Company is now offering a 20-in. self-propelled Slice n' Seed walk-behind overseeder for repairing or re- establishing grass in worn areas or establishing new grass varieties. The walk-behind model complements Gandy's 48-in. 3-pt. hitch...

About time.(Products: TOOLS OF THE TRADE)
March 1, 2005... Swisher's Z-Max XZT's 360-degree turning radius and 60-in. triple-blade floating cutting deck greatly reduce mowing time on even the biggest jobs. Easy handling and great maneuverability makes mowing around shrubs, trees and other obstacles a...

Get a (pistol) grip.(Products: TOOLS OF THE TRADE)
March 1, 2005... Wright Mfg. has kept all of the features that made its Velke mowers great and added a popular new feature--traditional pistol grip controls. And the Velke is now available with a new, compact 32-in. deck in addition to the 36-, 48- and 52-in....

Dump it.(Products: TOOLS OF THE TRADE)
March 1, 2005... Standard Hamilton Company introduces Dump-Pro, a dump insert for pick-up trucks. This new lightweight (under 400 lbs.) patented unit enables a user to go from pick-up to dump truck in just minutes using the Quick Change-Out option. The unit's...

Shred to pieces.(Products: TOOLS OF THE TRADE)
March 1, 2005... The Echo ES-230 Shred 'N' Vac offers three essential functions - mulching, vacuuming and blowing - in one hand-held unit. It features the 22.8 cc Power Boost TornadoTM engine, which delivers up to 20 percent more torque than the 21.2 cc engine...

Force to be wreckoned with.(Products: TOOLS OF THE TRADE)
March 1, 2005... The full line of Weedboss 4-cycle trimmers are specifically designed for consumers who require superior performance and extended product life. They feature the innovative, Fource[TM] 4-cycle engine from Briggs & Stratton. The Fource 4- cycle...

Light load.(Products: TOOLS OF THE TRADE)
March 1, 2005... Mantis offers four tiller models: Mantis Original 2-cycle tiller, Mantis FastStart, Mantis electric tiller and Mantis Honda-powered tiller. The Mantis Original 2-cycle tiller weighs 20 lbs. and is easy to maneuver. The FastStart model has a...

Follow the line.(Products: TOOLS OF THE TRADE)
March 1, 2005... Toro's Line Pro 1200 is a walk-behind line painter that easily lines sports fields and other areas. The self-propelled Line Pro 1200 has a three-speed transmission. First and second gears are used during painting. The operator will know exactly...

Events: what, when & where.(RESOURCES)(Calendar)
March 1, 2005... March 19-22 ALCA Student Career Days / College Park, MD; 800/395-2522; www.alca.org 23 LANDSExpo Conference & Trade Show / Las Vegas, NV; 877/964-6222; www.greenindustryeducation.com April 17-20 APWA North American Snow...

Statistics: industry trends by the numbers.(Associated Landscape Contractors of America)(Outdoor Power Equipment Institute)
March 1, 2005... HAND-HELD SALES SOFT IN '05 Sales of hand-held gasoline-powered trimmers and chain saws should increase slightly in 2005 over 2004. That's the early-season prediction from the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI). The Arlington,...