Welcome to the 2018 State of the Industry Report

Congratulations! In this year’s State of the Industry report, most of you have reported another outstanding year of continuous growth. As a matter of fact, what I am being told is the only limiting factor to an even more robust year is the lack of available labor and concerns with immigration policy. Even with these concerns, the anticipated growth within the lawn and landscape industry remains positive for the foreseeable future.

This positive momentum gives us the opportunity to analyze the challenges we face and develop new approaches. New approaches can help us refine our businesses and evolve with the times to take advantage of new opportunities to build and grow our people and our brands.

As I talk with lawn care and landscape professionals, this optimism usually leads to conversations about sustainable growth. We all want to grow, but how you grow is important. Growth often calls for new and innovative approaches, and at John Deere we are committed to providing you with the support and business solutions to help you succeed.

Our commitment to your business goes beyond providing you with quality products through our extensive dealer network. The John Deere dealer is there to support your business needs after the sale with certified factory trained service technicians and knowledgeable staff. We have one priority: To ensure product uptime in the most responsive manner, because downtime is not an option when you are running a business!

As you review this report, recognize that success does not happen without you! Your efforts to develop, enhance and maintain landscapes will improve communities and inspire new customers to improve their outdoor spaces. Your efforts to educate your clients will provide a greater appreciation for the value of managed landscapes where we all live, work and play. It’s the work that you do every day that will determine how you succeed and lay the foundation for the future growth of your business and the industry.

I wish you a safe and prosperous year!

Ken Taylor, CLP

Sales manager, John Deere Corporate Business Division