EDITORIAL: Industry Reflections

Nearly 20 years ago, this magazine became Lawn & Landscape, a full-service version of its predecessor American Lawn Applicator. The move to Lawn & Landscape recognized the evolving market place in which single service contractors were beginning to see the value in offering multiple services to existing customers; thereby increasing revenues and hopefully improving customer loyalty. 

Cindy Code

The change didn’t happen over night. ALA first became ALA Lawn & Landscape Maintenance as maintenance services were distinct from installation offerings. Through the 90s, contractors became more comfortable with their ability to offer mowing, lawn care, tree care, irrigation and installation services to both residential and commercial clients. Although companies today still exist to serve a specific service or group of related services, nearly 90,000 businesses in the marketplace are considered to be full-service. Several years later, both ALA and Maintenance were dropped to signify the shift.
 
I’ve reflected on the last two decades recently as I marked my 20th year with Lawn & Landscape magazine. It’s been an amazing stretch of interaction with entrepreneurs from coast to coast. It’s gratifying to see how the marketplace has matured. Some folks like Wayne Richards, Landon Reeve, Tom Tolkacz and Tom Leid are still at the helm of their businesses. Others like Rich Akerman, David Minor and Tom Garber, pioneers in the landscape industry, have moved on to other endeavors. And, sadly, others like Mark Phipps and David Luce have passed away, far too young.
 
The ability of the industry to keep re-inventing itself through market shifts and fluctuations is remarkable. The period most etched in my mind was in March of 1998 when the face of the lawn and landscape industry changed forever. That’s when seven privately held companies rolled up under the umbrella of LandCare USA and in an equally bold move, TruGreen-ChemLawn acquired four companies to develop a new landscape management division.
 
Consolidation, acquisitions and the infusion of private equity have continued and the industry has enjoyed uninterrupted growth. In conversations, visits and stories some common threads have evolved over 20 years. Here are some of my observations:

• Lawn and landscape professionals are dedicated to their businesses and their employees. It’s not just a job, it’s a profession and career path.
• Contractors show an amazing ability to adapt to business climate and
   customer needs.
• Contractors show a willingness to try new things and accept the risks that
   come with it.
• The importance of hiring and retaining good people and its affect on
   business is acknowledged; although finding good people is still a challenge.
• Contractors are amazingly unselfish and demonstrate a willingness to pass knowledge on to peers and the next generation.
• Landscape professionals are a passionate bunch. It’s hard to find a
   business owner out there who doesn’t want to chat about his/her business.

A challenge moving forward is for all contractors – big and small – to represent the green industry vocally and proudly. We are the green industry. We are the stewards of the environment. Your work is on display in neighborhoods and business parks across America. Be an advocate for your industry. Get involved wherever and whenever you can. The industry – and the environment – need you.