Landscape Management articles from May 2003

Landscape Management archives from May 2003

Next month: what's coming up in June.
May 1, 2003... * Cover story: Brand to win Make your company's name the one that customers remember * Say goodbye to callbacks They're costly; they're annoying; read this and they'll be gone * Mowing patterns Here's one strategy to use...

Work with a sound heart. (on the record).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... As you send your teams out of your facility for a productive day in the field, don't feel guilty that you're not in Baghdad, helping our boys restore order. You've got your job to do, and they've got theirs. Now go do it. What you're doing is...

Sell value, quality of life. (my way).
May 1, 2003... It's amazing when you look at what's going on this year: lowest interest rates in 40 years, people afraid to put money into the stock market and war. With so many advantages on our side, I would guess that 2003 is treating most landscapers...

Working hard, going broke. (business ideas).(related article included)
May 1, 2003... After working with dozens of landscape companies throughout the United States during the past year, it has become unmistakably clear to me why some companies make money and other don't. Companies with processes make money. Companies without...

Special year for PLCAA's Legislative Day on the Hill. (Industry almanac: news you can use).(Professional Lawn Care Association of America)
May 1, 2003... WASHINGTON, DC -- There may be no more appropriate time to participate in PLCAA's Legislative Day on the Hill & Cemetery Project than this year. Mark July 14-15 on your calendars and lend your efforts to those of more than 100 other landscape...

ANLA's biennial Legislative Conference set for Sept. 21-23. (Industry almanac: news you can use).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The American Nursery & Landscape Association's biennial Legislative Conference is set for Sept. 21-23. The theme is "One Industry, One Voice, One Future--Taking Care of Business." It will empower attendees to deliver to...

Gordie Bailey rides again ... (Industry almanac: news you can use).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... NEWPORT, MN -- Bailey Nurseries' Chairman of the Board Gordie Bailey will embark on the third and final leg of his coast-to-coast bicycle ride this June, raising money for the Horticultural Research Institute (HRI), a division of the American...

LESCO opens three new hubs. (Industry almanac: news you can use).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... CLEVELAND, OH -- LESCO announced the opening of three new regional distribution hubs in Chicago, Atlanta and Plano, TX. The company says the state-of-the-art distribution facilities can each serve more than 70 LESCO Service Centers and 30 LESCO...

Bayer retains fipronil rights. (Clippings).(Bayer Environmental Science)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... MONTVALE, NJ -- Bayer Environmental Science, a business group of Bayer CropScience LP, recently announced the company can continue to market the active ingredient fipronil and its mixtures to the turf and ornamental market. The announcement...

HybriGene seeks APHIS permit. (Clippings).(United States Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... HUBBARD, OR -- Bill Rose, President of HybriGene, says his firm has produced male-sterile bentgrass at its research lab in Kingston, RH, by introducing a gene into the grass. He says these male-sterile grasses produce pollen incapable of...

New Weed Man in Cincinnati. (Clippings).(Ohio)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... CINCINNATI, OH -- Weed Man Cincinnati North West recently began operating in Butler and Hamilton Counties. This branch along with Weed Man of Northeast Cincinnati, which opened last year, now service the entire Cincinnati metropolitan area....

Toro preferred by Boston's Fenway. (Clippings).(Boston Red Sox)(Fenway Park)(Boston, Massachusetts)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... BLOOMINGTON, MN -- The Toro Company recently announced that it has been named the Preferred Ground Equipment of Fenway Park. Turf Products Corp., the local Toro distributor, is also recognized as the Preferred Ground Equipment Supplier to the...

Spindler acquires BioPro. (Clippings).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... LAKELAND, FL -- Spindler Enterprises purchased the BioPro line of fertilizers, micronutrients, biostimulants, soil amendments and pond bacteria. The Toro Company originally developed BioPro. TerraBiotics, who acquired BioPro from Toro, has sold...

Symbiot partners with LESCO. (Clippings).(Symbiot Landscape Network)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... CLEVELAND, OH -- LESCO, Inc., one of the leading providers of products for the professional turf care and Green Industry markets, announced that it has been chosen as the preferred Purchase Power Partner (P3) to the Symbiot Landscape Network.

New Mellor lawn book available. (Industry almanac: news you can use).(David Mellor, master groundskeeper of Boston's Fenway Park)(Book Review)
May 1, 2003... David Mellor, master groundskeeper of Boston's Fenway Park, just finished his second book, "The Lawn Bible." Mellor, a former editorial advisor for Landscape Management and Athletic Turf magazines, has been caring for some of the nicest...

Bayer Environmental Science.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Bayer Environmental Science has hired Sam Snyder as Field Sales Representative in northern Ohio and Ben Cicora as Field Sales Representative in southern Ohio.

RedMax, Komatsu Zenoah America, Inc.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... RedMax, Komatsu Zenoah America, Inc. recognized William Vick, Territory Manager for RedMax Distributing, for surpassing $1 million in sales.

Western Nursery & Landscape Association.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The Western Nursery & Landscape Association named Nicholas Hand President.

Chapel Valley Landscape Company.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Chapel Valley Landscape Company named Sterns Lott Virginia Commercial Sales Manager.

Skinner Nurseries.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Skinner Nurseries has hired Roger Claybaugh and Mike Vlcek as sales representatives.

Bozzuto Landscaping.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Bozzuto Landscaping promoted Christopher Green to branch manager and Marc Schmidt to area manager. Green joined Bozzuto, Laurel, MD, in 1998 and Schmidt in 2001.

Iowa Nursery & Landscape Association.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The Iowa Nursery & Landscape Association elected Les Gehrels President.

Stihl Inc.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Stihl Inc. appointed Gunther Stoll to Product Manager of chain saws.

Gowan Company.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Gowan Company named Martin Petersen Managing Director.

BioSafe Systems.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... BioSafe Systems named Melissa Gugliotti Sales Director for the aquatics market.

Statistics: industry trends by the numbers.
May 1, 2003... POWER LAWN & GARDEN EQUIPMENT SHIPMENTS (MILLION DOLLARS) 1997 2002 2007 Lawn & garden 7615 8500 9900 equipment shipments Lawnmowers 3105...

Advantage: certification: set your business apart with professional credentials that demonstrate your commitment to quality and to your clients. (Professional Development).
May 1, 2003... While professional certification is still relatively new to the Green Industry, those who have earned their credentials are enjoying a competitive advantage. How much? That's hard to judge. But it's real. Certification brings increased...

Incentives that work: increase productivity and profits by basing your employee incentive programs on predetermined, measurable goals. (Employee Management).(related article included)
May 1, 2003... Some company owners insist that the best incentive program for their employees is also the easiest to implement--either produce or hit the road. Considering today's bleak economic news, that's probably enough of an incentive for a lot of...

Be a good 'scout': train your applicators to diagnose and solve lawn problems before they get out of hand and make your customers unhappy. (Lawn Care).
May 1, 2003... The procedures you put in place to evaluate customers' lawns, uncover potential problems and diagnose developing problems are the heart of any lawn care program. They determine the timely and judicious use of fertilizer and pest control...

Gear up for graduation: experienced grounds managers tell how to put extra color into the biggest weekend of the year on their campuses. (Grounds Management).(Illinois State University)
May 1, 2003... Every spring, grounds managers on college campuses see it coming like a monster thunderstorm, its towering purple thunderheads causing feelings of both excitement and dread. The event--graduation weekend. This exciting time gives grounds...

Seed supply shortages likely: lock in orders of your favorite grass seed varieties. The buyers' market may be about to end. (Turf Management).(related article included)
May 1, 2003... Landscapers have had it good for the last several years in that grass seed has been abundant and prices moderate. But things are changing, and market analysts point to a coming turnaround in the grass seed industry. For the first time in five...

Summer pond dreams: this maintenance program will increase your customers' enjoyment of their special water feature.
May 1, 2003... Here's what your customers envision when you're installing their pond: the murmur of water over smooth boulders, neon blue-green flashes of dragonfly wings, a tranquil pool of water dotted with red and yellow water lily blossoms, and colorful...

Grand Valley State University: 2002 PGMS Grand award winner for school or university grounds. (award-winning landscape management).(Professional Grounds Maintenance Association)(related articles included)
May 1, 2003... Taking care of the grounds at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, MI, is a big job. Just look at these numbers: 90 acres of turf, 3,000 sq. ft. of display beds, 54 acres of parking lots. And 19,000 students to make sure the trash pickup...

Rx for sick turf: practical guidelines to diagnose and alleviate the effects of diseases that damage and destroy turfgrass. (Disease Management).
May 1, 2003... Spring is upon on us and disease pathogens are on the prowl, attacking new roots, crowns and leaves of turfgrass plants. Most turfgrass managers dread the thought of diseases. Controlling them can be difficult because it involves not just...

Spreaders and sprayers that last. (LM Reports).
May 1, 2003... It's got to last." That's the first thing Jack Robertson, owner of Jack Robertson Lawn Care, Inc., Springfield, IL, has on his mind when he goes shopping for a spreader. "Stainless steel components are a must," he continues. He knows...

Get gone geese: veteran grounds manager hopes his latest strategy no wild goose chase. (Solutions center: wildlife management).(Tom Sprague)
May 1, 2003... Mama goose flew in low with murder in her eyes. Her flapping, squawking attack sent co-worker Larry Aylward sprawling to the ground, his hands protecting his head. Larry is Editor of Golfdom magazine, sister publication of Landscape...

Watch savings pop up. (Products: tech center).
May 1, 2003... Tests have shown that Valvette Systems' LittleValve products contribute to significant savings in both labor and water when heading up new jobs or maintaining existing sprinkler heads. LittleValve sprinkler parts and under-the-head fittings...

Flex some muscle. (Products: tech center).
May 1, 2003... With seven-gauge steel, no welds and increased airflow, John Deere's 72-in. 7-Iron V-Flex mower deck answers landscapers' demand for a rotary mowing deck that provides superior performance on flat and uneven terrain. A rear wheel kit offers 1-...

Make the connection. (Products: tech center).
May 1, 2003... King Innovation has launched a new brand encompassing its complete line of waterproof, silicone-filled electrical connectors. Called DryConn Waterproof Connectors, the new branding initiative includes King's logo, packaging, colors and more....

Go with the flow. (Products: tech center).
May 1, 2003... NIBCO is now offering a new manual angle valve for use as a drain valve or isolation valve on both the lateral and mainline piping system for general irrigation markets. Features include a dezincification resistant ASTM B 584 bronze body, a...

Straight stripes. (Products: tech center).
May 1, 2003... The Pioneer Brite Striper 5000 riding line striper can stripe more than 100 football fields with one battery charge. Compressed air technology provides straight lines. Two 12-gal. steel tanks are controlled by a switch near the seat. A...

Let it slide. (Products: tech center).
May 1, 2003... Slide Systems LLC has added the Rollerbox Professional to its Rollerbox lineup of rolling truck storage boxes. Six pullout drawers on ball bearings keep tools secure and organized in the bottom unit, while the top compartment holds larger...

Go mow. (Products: tech center).
May 1, 2003... Land Pride's all new 44- and 52-in. Razor Z riding mower is just right for small to medium residential areas. This mid-mount mower offers a large capacity fuel tank, turf type drive tires, low center of gravity, close coupled design and choice...

Events: what, when & where.(Brief Article)(Calendar)
May 1, 2003... May 15-17 LICH Annual Convention and Trade Show / Honolulu, HI; Sponsored by the Landscape Industry Council of Hawaii; 808/956-2150 21 NC Turf & Landscape Field Day / Raleigh, NC; 888/695-1333 June 12-14 The Super Floral Show /...

Training: pick 'big picture' things. (Best practices: guidelines to help an industry grow).(related article included)
May 1, 2003... Most Green Industry companies struggle with developing and implementing training programs. It's always a topic at industry conferences. Like most companies, we've done things that have worked and things that haven't worked. What we've learned...

Show clients that you value their business.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... 1 Thank your clients. Sincere words of thanks and appreciation are always welcomed by a customer. 2 Be the "best cost" provider. Employ the best practices and use the best equipment. Don't overspend your customer's money. Do the job right...

Train your employees on importance of service. (From the front lines).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... To deliver exceptional customer service, every employee in every department from top to bottom must understand the importance of that service and buy into a company's efforts to achieve it. Architerra, based in Indian Creek, IL, takes...

In service, little things mean a lot. (Running LAPS).(related article included)
May 1, 2003... The most significant opportunity for leadership development is allowing interaction between your team and your customers. For some owners this becomes a scary proposition, especially the controlling owner who thinks only he can treat the...

Going the extra mile: Ultimate Services and Allen Landscaping service high-end clients on opposite coasts. They provide a study in contrasts with a common goal--superior customer service. (Running LAPS).
May 1, 2003... His phone rings at 9 p.m. on a Saturday. On the line is a distraught client who can't sleep because a bee is on her sun porch. His only choice is to go and capture the bee. Sounds like a tiny problem, but it's all in a day's work for John...

Building family ties with ALCA. (Running LAPS).(Associated Landscape Contractors of America)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Rick Doesberg has spent more than 30 years as a member of the Associated Landscape Contractors of America, including the last 20 in various leadership positions. Doesberg, an ALCA past president, raves about the benefits he has gained from...

Delegation as a leadership skill. (By the numbers).
May 1, 2003... During my many years in the Green Industry, I've been privileged to work with hundreds of landscape contractors in various capacities, and I have developed a great admiration for those of you working in the field. You work hard, you take pride...

Survey keeps clients front and center. (By the numbers).(Western Lawns)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Lorne Hall, owner of Western Lawns in Oklahoma City, OK, wants to know what his customers think. Three years ago, he launched a customer survey to gather that feedback--for better or worse. "Some customers are good at letting us know how...

Finding my replacement Thrival Campaign. (By the numbers).(JP Horizons)
May 1, 2003... Thrival Campaigns were developed by JP Horizons as a simple tool to allow companies to help employees focus on a specific result that will be accomplished and then systematically define and follow through on the specific actions that lead to...