Getting The Job
When it comes to earning a contract from a prospective client, knowing what matters to that client is crucial because each client’s needs are different. A Gallup poll surveyed clients of landscape companies to identify their most important reasons for hiring a landscape company.
The value of a quality referral was never more evident than in this survey, where 67 percent of landscape customers ranked it the most important reason for selecting a landscape company. A satisfaction guarantee, receiving a free estimate, a company’s long-term history and it being locally owned and operated were also key criteria, although none were cited by more than 40 percent of the respondents.
TruGreen-LandCare Continues Buying
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The next wave has begun.
TruGreen-LandCare announced seven more acquisitions: Landscape Resource, Charlotte, N.C.; Environmental Landscape Services, Tucker, Ga.; GLM Landscaping, Tam-pa, Fla.; The Green Company, Lewisville, Texas; Stanford Landscape, Simi Valley, Calif.; J.C. Vallee Landscape, Encinitas, Calif., and Pacific Environments, Cotati, Calif.
The seven acquisitions represent nearly $15 million in contracts for TruGreen- LandCare, but they are probably just the start of a busy second quarter for the company.
At the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute annual meeting, Paul Anderegg, executive vice president/chief operating officer, said TruGreen- LandCare’s parent company, ServiceMaster, directed him to acquire $80 million worth of landscape companies in the third quarter of 1999.
Anderegg said Service-Master’s demands are driven by the fact that TruGreen-Chem-Lawn and TruGreen- LandCare represent 30 percent of its parent company’s revenues and approximately 50 percent of its profits.
“We estimate that we have captured 35 to 40 percent of the professional lawn care market, so landscape services are clearly where we see our growth opportunities,” Anderegg added.
Seed Research, Advanta Join Forces
CORVALLIS, Ore. – The turf seed industry saw another step in its continued consolidation when Seed Research of Oregon and Advanta Seeds Pacific announced a marketing and research agreement that essentially represents an acquisition by SRO of Advanta’s products.
Under terms of the deal, SRO acquired Advanta’s turfgrass marketing group and assumed responsibility for Advanta’s turf and forage seed production. SRO will then pay a royalty on sales of these products to Advanta.
Regarding the research, Advanta will focus its efforts on tall fescues, bluegrasses and perennial ryegrasses, while SRO will focus on bentgrasses and fine fescues.
Scott Harer, who has moved from Advanta to SRO as part of the deal, said this arrangement allows the two companies to avoid duplicating research efforts and resources as the turf seed suppliers see their margins continue to decrease.
Proceeds from the sale of the products available through the arrangement will be split between the two companies although the exact share for each company was not available.
“Advanta is highly respected in the turf seed industry and the company has made a significant investment in biotechnology research, which opens up some exciting possibilities,” noted Tom Pape, vice president and general manager, SRO.
Gov. Ventura Vetoes Rain Sensor Bill
ST. PAUL, Minn. – A bill that would have made Minnesota a pioneer in irrigation was body slammed by the new governor. The bill, proposed by the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association, would have required all new landscape irrigation systems be installed with a rain sensor, but it was vetoed by Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura.
“MNLA appreciates the governor’s concern for government intrusion into the marketplace,” noted Bob Fitch, MNLA executive director. “However, our members believe the great environmental benefits of this bill outweigh concern about government intrusion.”
The bill had passed the state senate by a vote of 58-4 and the state House 112-19.
Ag Census Shows Jump In Nursery Sales
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Americans continue to boost their spending on plants, according to the 1997 Census of Agriculture just released.
The study reported that nursery, greenhouse and floriculture crop sales totaled $10.9 billion in 1997, up 43.4 percent from 1992.
These plants were produced by nearly 34,000 farm locations nationwide that produce nursery products as their primary crop.
Griffin, Nation’s Ag Team Up
VALDOSTA, GA. – Griffin L.L.C. hopes to expand its current fungicide lineup and continue its active pursuit of the turf and ornamental markets by entering the chloro-thalonil fungicide market through a joint venture with Nation’s Ag. The venture includes the sourcing, development, registration and marketing of chlorothalonil-based fungicides in flowable, dry flowable, combination and technical product formulations.
The first products are expected to be available globally in the fourth quarter of 1999 with additional products coming to market as registrations are received.
“The addition of chlorothalonil to Griffin’s existing fungicide line will help us offer complete disease control solutions, particularly in the turf market,” noted Owen Towne, global business director for specialty products.
Demand Grows For Landscape Architects
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Employment at U.S. landscape architecture firms will increase more than 21 percent through the year 2006 due to an anticipated growth in construction, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor’s 1998-99 Occupation Outlook Handbook.
According to the handbook, new graduates can expect to face competition for jobs in large landscape architecture firms. The best opportunities will be for landscape architects who develop strong technical and communication skills and knowledge of environmental codes and regulations.
“It’s exciting to see hard statistics validating what we’re hearing anecdotally all of the time – our members just can’t hire enough new staff to keep up with the demand,” said Peter Kirsch, executive vice president, American Society of Landscape Architects, Washington, D.C. The ASLA 1998 Salary Survey reported that job offers for new hires are abundant with 20 percent of all respondents reporting that they are out to hire more landscape architects.
In recent years, only 1,200 to 1,300 students graduate annually with a degree in landscape architecture – a number that has held steady in the last few years, despite the strong job market. The average offer to recent graduates is $22,775 from the private sector and $25,730 from the public sector. Survey results show the average salary of a landscape architect in America today at $52,886.
Supporting the handbook’s claim, last fall, landscape architecture was also named a runner-up hot track profession by U.S. News & World Report in its Oct. 26, 1998, issue.
In Business ...
Forest City Tree received the Excellence in Arboriculture Award of Distinction and President’s Award from the National Arborist Association... Melroe Company began an $18-million, 138,000-square-foot expansion of two manufacturing facilities...The Care of Trees opened an office in Chicago...Horizon purchased Kay’s Lawnmower and Kal Distributing of Mesa, Ariz...CPS Distributors, Denver, Colo., acquired Western Pipe Supply...Thomas Brothers Grass, Milberger Turfgrass, Elsberry Greenhouse and C&D Turfgrass merged to form Turfgrass America in Granbury, Texas...Pursell Technologies will expand its Sylacauga, Ala., plant...K-Rain opened a warehouse in Sacramento.
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