Letters To The Editor: July 1998

To the Editor:
I was particularly interested in the article on outsourcing and consolidation (March 1998). It came at a unique time in that we had just spoken with one of the companies mentioned in the article about the move toward outsourcing and how consolidations will affect the industry. These companies want to buy companies like us who can manage the properties and national franchises in an area.

But where is the voice of the person that is threatened by this national take over? It will not be the little lawn care company that will be affected. It will be the middle size company – $150,000 to $750,000. These are real questions we have to face as we are in danger of being swallowed up by the big fish. It is inevitable, and I fear very soon.

The consolidators are buying us up. How do we overcome their strength and power? Two of our major accounts are working with outsourcing maintenance companies that presently use our services. Another major account just hired an outsourcing company to service them. We have worked with this account for five years, but now we will have to bid these accounts like we never were on the property. It won’t be long before we must face the facts. We either join up or face extinction.

Bobbi Anderson
Anderson Lawn Care, Leesburg, Ind.

July 1998
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