Leading the charge

At K&D Landscaping, we always strive to stay ahead of the curve; it’s baked into our culture and is best represented by our purpose to “raise the bar in the landscape industry.” That means constantly finding ways to improve our operations and deliver better client results. One of the biggest steps we’ve taken recently is moving our entire maintenance operation to battery-powered equipment. This wasn’t a decision we made lightly; there were challenges along the way, but we knew it was the right move for our team.

Bullets and then cannonballs

Over the last three years, K&D has been testing many different brands, manufacturers and types of battery-powered equipment. This was our way of shooting bullets and using small amounts of energy and resources to identify the best brand and partner for us.

This process ensures we can experiment and get feedback from our team. After a three-month trial over the summer, we identified the brand and partner we wanted to go “all-in” with, which is our way of firing a cannonball. Much of this decision was made by our crews, not just the leadership team.

The technology has finally caught up

For years, battery-powered equipment wasn’t ready for the rigorous demands of commercial landscape maintenance. We looked into it before, but the lack of power, durability and overall performance made it a tough sell for us and our crews.

But things have changed. This summer we found battery technology that has finally advanced to the point where we’re confident we can make this switch without sacrificing the power we need or the durability we rely on.

The right fit for our maintenance operation

Our maintenance division was the natural place to make this shift. We’re maintaining everything from high-end residential properties to commercial spaces, and noise and disruption are always a consideration. Battery-powered equipment allows us to work when and where we need to without worrying about disturbing clients or their tenants, especially for properties like HOA environments.

This change also aligns with the needs of the markets we serve. Being located in California, and specifically Silicon Valley, has influenced these decisions. More and more clients are looking for sustainable, low-emission options from their partners, and our move to battery power shows them we’re serious about delivering on that.

It’s not just about reducing our carbon footprint; it’s about staying ahead of client expectations and positioning K&D as the leader in forward-thinking, environmentally responsible grounds management.

Team buy-in: A big milestone

One of the toughest challenges we faced early on wasn’t the equipment — it was getting our team on board. Let’s be honest: Our crews are used to gas-powered tools. There was some resistance to change, (okay, a lot of resistance), but once they got their hands on the latest battery-powered gear, that friction faded.

The equipment is lighter, easier to handle and quieter than our gas equipment, all without sacrificing power. In a surprising move, the team is fully behind the shift now, and that’s been a game-changer for us. It’s not just about having the right tools; it’s about having the buy-in from the people who use them every day.

Leading the charge

We didn’t make this move just because it’s trendy or because regulations are pushing the industry in this direction. We made it because we believe it’s the future of landscape maintenance. As more cities and states tighten regulations around emissions and noise, we knew it was only a matter of time before battery-powered became the standard. Rather than waiting to be forced into it, we wanted to lead the way.

By making this shift now, we’re putting ourselves in the best position for long-term success. We’re not reacting to change, we’re driving it. Battery-powered equipment allows us to keep raising the bar, delivering better results for our clients and setting a new standard for the industry.

Raise the bar is a monthly column by Justin White, CEO of K&D Landscaping, written to help improve professionalism in the green industry. He can be reached at justin@kndlandscaping.com.