The National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) seeks members and nonmembers for its peer group program. It currently has five groups with four to six landscape companies per group. A sixth group is expected to launch soon. “Any company can apply and will be considered for new groups as they form,” said Bruce Wilson, lead facilitator for NALP peer groups. Wilson,... read more
What’s one easy way a company can improve cash flow? Landscape Professionals Richard Bare Arbor-Nomics Turf, Norcross, Ga. “Research every nook and cranny of the business (or hire a professional business analyst/consultant to do it). For instance, how much are you paying to take credit cards? Maybe what you’re paying makes it cost prohibitive to take the leading card. (For... read more
Big change has been brewing in our industry for more than a decade. It started when consulting firm McKinsey & Co. began examining ValleyCrest in the late 1990s. It proved itself with a private equity firm merging ValleyCrest and Brickman in the $2 billion megadeal earlier this year. The upside potential of the green industry is no longer a secret.... read more
The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) named members of the 2014/2015 PLANET Academic Excellence Foundation (PLANET AEF) board of directors. They are as follows. Officers: President—Tom Fochtman, Ceibass Venture Partners, Arvada, Colo.; VP—Miles Kuperus Jr., Farmside Landscape & Design, Sussex, N.J.; Immediate past president—Jim McCutcheon, HighGrove Partners, Austell, Ga.; and Secretary/treasurer—Mark Meister, John Deere, Cary, N.C. Directors at large: Ed Castro,... read more
With reports swirling of a blockbuster deal that could merge the ValleyCrest Cos. with the Brickman Group—forming a nearly $2 billion national landscape company—landscape contractors and consultants are weighing in on the likelihood the deal will go through and what it could mean for the rest of the market. “KKR has plenty of money to invest and it makes sense... read more
Having trouble talking with your marketing team? We may know why. The first question can make or break the interview. “What is it we’re selling?” broke the ice. “Why, it’s beautiful spaces, healthy living and artful gardens,” said the new-to-the-industry candidate experienced in marketing but whose wilted houseplants clearly meant landscaping was a risky career move. “No,” said the marketing... read more
