Wednesday, 30 January 2019

Employee-Owned Landscape Services Company Earns Carolinas Chapter Award

ESOP

The Greenery, Inc. was named the 2018 Employee Owned Company of the Year by the Carolinas Chapter of the national Employee Stock Ownership Plan Association for effectively meeting the criteria of communicating the benefits of employee ownership as it relates to the success of the company. Established in 1973 and based in Hilton Head Island, SC, The Greenery is an employee-owned company in coastal South Carolina and Georgia and nearby regions with comprehensive landscaping services including residential and commercial landscape installation and maintenance, hardscapes, and irrigation.

ESOP

Group of The Greenery, Inc. employees

There are approximately 100 ESOP companies that comprise the Carolinas Chapter in South Carolina and North Carolina and it is part of the national ESOP Association, based in Washington, DC. An employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) is an employee-owner program that provides a company’s workforce with an ownership interest in the company.

In receiving the Carolinas Chapter award, The Greenery demonstrated that it nurtures a sense of ownership among its more than 450 employees. The company celebrates this achievement while also celebrating its 46th Anniversary in February and its 11th anniversary as an employed-owned company.

ESOP

Lee Edwards, CEO, The Greenery, Inc. of Hilton Head Island, SC accepts a 2018 Employee Owned Company of the Year award.

Lee Edwards, The Greenery’s CEO, stated, “We were honored to be recognized within our ESOP Chapter for both South Carolina and North Carolina for our efforts to educate and encourage our employees about the values and benefits of employee ownership. We believe that every employee owner can contribute to the actual success of their company.”

The company’s Chief Financial Officer, Scott Slawson, oversees the internal committee responsible for communications about the employee stock ownership plan, and stated, “The hard work throughout the year really paid off. The Carolinas Chapter award put us in contention for a national award, and although we did not win it, it was an honor for the whole company to be among the top ESOP groups in the nation.”

 

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Project EverGreen: Swinging For The Fences For Kids

Phoenix, Arizona

Project EverGreen, the national nonprofit devoted to creating a greener, healthier, cooler Earth; the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA), the city of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department, local businesses and residents teamed up on January 21 at the half-a-century old Lindo Park in South Phoenix, AZ to give the 22-acre park something the community has always wanted: a real ball field.

Phoenix, ArizonaVolunteers including sports field managers, lawn care professionals, landscape contractors, groundskeepers and neighborhood youth assisted with the transformation that had an estimated value in excess of $50,000.

The project included:

  • Surveying the field to determine existing and proposed elevations for the playing surface.
  • Laying out new grass edges along 1st and 3rd base lines.
  • Re-inspecting and adjusting the irrigation system to insure proper coverage in the outfield.
  • Fertilizing and silting seed for the outfield turf – nearly 60,000-square-feet.
  • Laying out and rebuilding the pitcher’s mound and installing a new pitching rubber.
  • Laying out and rebuilding the batter’s boxes/catcher’s box and installing a new home plate.
  • Grading the infield surface to cut high areas and fill low areas.
  • Installing sod to repair areas of damaged turf.

“Neighborhoods deserve a healthy park or community green space that they can call their own,” says Cindy Code, executive director of Project EverGreen. “Thriving parks create a community hub for neighbors – young and old – to connect and helps to instill pride in their community and confidence in area residents, and creates a place for adults and youth to exercise and have fun.”

Phoenix, ArizonaSTMA supported the renovation project by having more than 100 professional sport turf managers on site.

“We were thrilled to be a part of this important project and bring a well-managed and playable ballpark to a deserving community,” says Kim Heck, CAE, CEO of the STMA. “To use our professional expertise and know-how and bring a plan like this to life is a win-win for everyone.”

Project EverGreen has renovated more than 32 community parks across the country since 2006. In January of 2018, the city of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department and community leader Muriel Smith nominated the park for a new ballfield.

“This is an exciting project for the community,” said Councilwoman Felicita Mendoza, who represents District 8 in which the park is located. “We’re grateful that Lindo Park was selected by Project EverGreen and for the volunteer service and financial support of STMA and local businesses to make it possible. The new ballpark will enhance the recreation center and other amenity upgrades made to the park in recent years. “

Smith, 72, has lived in the community surrounding Lindo Park for four decades. She has raised three children, 13 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren; many of whom grew up playing in Lindo Park.

Phoenix, ArizonaOver the years, Smith worked with the city of Phoenix Neighborhood Services and Parks and Recreation departments, Phoenix Police Department, former District 8 Councilwoman Kate Gallego and District 7 Councilman Michael Nowakowski. They worked with local high schools and hosted graffiti clean-ups on the weekends, and things turned around and the park became a place to gather again.

Since then, a recreation center named after Smith was built in Lindo Park in 2016 along with a large ramada with picnic tables for gatherings outside and a new playground. Now, neighborhood groups hold meetings, host tree plantings, put on special events and kids read and study there.

“This ballpark will be the icing on the cake for the kids in this community,” said Smith.

A city parks and recreation department and/or a community group can nominate a park for revitalization. Once selected, Project EverGreen works with local businesses, community groups and volunteers to transform and sustain community green spaces.

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Tuesday, 29 January 2019

Plowsite: This Week’s Cool Threads

snow management professionals

From feedback on hourly rates to advice on a snow removal equipment purchase, popular questions posted by the ice and snow management professionals on PlowSite forums this past week.

BUSINESS FUNDAMENTALS

  • A new PlowSite Member from Minnesota is looking for feedback on his hourly rates for a commercial plowing job. Share your thoughts… 
  • A Junior Member from Southwest Pennsylvania wants to know how long other members’ plow routes take them to complete. Share your thoughts…

TRUCK & EQUIPMENT REPAIR

  • A Junior PlowSite Member is having trouble with his hitch pins when he hooks up his plow, and he wants to know if this is damaging his equipment in any way. Share your thoughts…

COMMERCIAL SNOW REMOVAL

  • A Junior PlowSite Member from North Jersey is looking for advice on how to efficiently plow an apartment complex parking lot that has some very long runs. Share your thoughts…

RESIDENTIAL SNOW REMOVAL

  • A Senior Member from North Dakota is looking to add another tool for snow removal from a flat roof. Do you have any experience with the products he’s considering? Share your thoughts… 

 

PlowSite is the largest and most active online forum servicing snow and ice management professionals.

As the only resource of its kind in the marketplace, PlowSite has been a coveted place for snow and ice management professionals seeking peer-to-peer networking, business guidance and insight into industry best practices and trends since 2000.

snow management professionals

Join your industry peers in this growing, dynamic community today:
Register For FREE!

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Monday, 28 January 2019

LawnSite Forums: This Week’s Hot Threads

lawn mowing

From buying new boots to keeping yourself motivated, here are some questions from the landscape professionals on LawnSite forums this past week.

BUSINESS OPERATIONS

  • A LawnSite Senior Member wants to buy new boots and is looking for opinions. Requirements are that they are waterproof and lined, slip resistant, have a composite toe, and good treads. Share your thoughts… 
  • A LawnSite Member wants to know what types of payment apps other forum members like. He accepts checks and some credit cards, and has had a few customers ask if he takes PayPal. Share your thoughts… 

LAWN CARE BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

  • A LawnSite Member in his third year of business would like to know if yard signs or door hangers are more likely to land him more maintenance accounts. Share your thoughts… 

LAWN MOWING

LAWN MOWING EQUIPMENT

  • A LawnSite Bronze Member from SE Wisconsin is shopping for new ear protection. He wants to know if ear buds on their own provide enough protection, or if he can/should wear ear protection over them. Share your thoughts… 

Do you need feedback on a professional challenge you’re facing within your landscaping or lawn care business? Tap into the wealth of knowledge at LawnSite, the largest and most active online forum serving green industry professionals.

As the only resource of its kind in the marketplace, LawnSite has been a coveted place for landscape professionals seeking peer-to-peer networking, business guidance and insight into industry best practices and trends since 1995.

lawn mowing

Join your industry peers in this growing, dynamic community today:
Register For FREE!

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Thursday, 24 January 2019

Porous Pave Installations Used 13M Pounds Of Recycled Rubber Last Year

paving material

Porous Pave, Inc. reached a new environmental milestone in 2018: surpassing 13 million pounds of recycled rubber used in installations of its permeable paving material. An eco-friendly green building product made in the U.S., Porous Pave is a highly porous paving material that offers superior permeability for optimal storm water retention, exceptional application versatility, and demonstrated durability. The controlled shredding and processing of recycled tires produces the fine-cut chips of recycled rubber incorporated into Porous Pave.

paving materialWith 27 percent void space, Porous Pave infiltrates storm water on site, decreasing runoff into storm drains and sewers. Porous Pave XL is the company’s strongest, heavy-duty formulation for hard-wearing permeable pavement. XL combines equal amounts of recycled rubber chips and kiln-dried aggregate mixed on site with a moisture-cured, liquid binder. For more impact-absorbing permeable surfacing, the XLS formulation is made with 100 percent rubber chips mixed with a softer binder.

“Topping 13 million pound demonstrates that facility managers, public garden administrators, public works officials, landscape architects and contractors continue to trust our proven product for their permeable paving applications,” said Dave Ouwinga, president, Porous Pave, Inc.

“Porous Pave fulfills our requirements for permeable pavement,” said Jack Carman, FASLA, RLA, landscape architect, Design for Generations, a landscape architecture firm specializing in the design and development of therapeutic gardens and landscapes. “It provides greater porosity than permeable pavers, it is non-slip and gives off less reflective glare than concrete, and its texture and colors enable us to harmonize permeable pavement within our garden designs.”

Design for Generations and Eric’s Nursery and Garden Center, a full-service landscape design-build firm, installed 3,000 square feet of Porous Pave XL as part of its McCauley Convent Tranquility Garden project. When the courtyard garden they developed for Meadowood Senior Living also required 8,100 square feet of permeable paving to meet storm water management regulations, the firm again selected Porous Pave.

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The Invasive Spotted Lanternfly: Know What To Do

spotted lanternfly

By Christine Menapace

Landscapers in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia need to be on the lookout for a new invasive insect, the Spotted Lanternfly (SLF), or lycorma delicatula. Feeding on the sap of over 70 types of plants, the planthoppers cause significant damage and even death to ornamentals and nursery plants, as well as forestry and agricultural crops. Many areas where the insect has been found are now under quarantine and landscapers in these areas need to know the rules to avoid fines. Those in bordering areas are urged to help stop the spread of this destructive insect.

spotted lanternfly

Spotted Lanternfly in Chester County, PA

Native to parts of Southeast Asia, the SLF was first identified in the U.S. in Berks County, PA in 2014. Since then, it has spread to 12 other counties in PA, including Monroe, Carbon, Schuykill, Lebanon, Lancaster, Chester, Montgomery, Lehigh, Northampton, Bucks, Philadelphia, and Delaware. In 2017, it was spotted in Frederick County, VA. Last year, three NJ counties, Mercer, Warren, and Hunterdon, were added to the list of quarantined areas. This past September, a single adult insect was found in both Albany and Yates counties of NY.

In areas under quarantine, such as PA and NJ, movement of such things as yard waste, firewood, nursery stock, and other elements of landscaping are restricted. While the insect can only jump or fly short distances, they lay their eggs on any number of surfaces, such as trees, vehicles, and outdoor articles, and thus spread easily from human activity.

So what can you do? First, be able to identify the SLF in all its five stages of growth. (See Illustration.) The first four stages are nymphs, which are incapable of flight. The young nymphs are black with bright white spots and about the size of a pencil eraser. The next stages are similar, but the nymphs become larger. The fourth stage, prior to adulthood, is vibrantly red with distinct patches of black and equally distinct bright white spots. The adult is a leafhopper with 1” long grey wings with black spots that when opened, reveals a bright red underwing. SLFs live through the winter only in egg masses, which can be found from late fall to early spring.

spotted lanternfly

Click to enlarge. (Illustrations by Colleen Witkowski)

Those finding a SLF or a suspicious looking egg mass, should try to destroy it. However, if it is found in an area previously not known, try to kill and preserve it (a container filled with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer should work) or at least take a picture and report the sighting to the appropriate state authority. (See contacts at the end.)

Other evidence of SLF are oozing wounds on bark that leave a greyish or black trail. As SLF digests sap, it excretes a substance known as honeydew that, along with sap from these weeping wounds, can attract bees and other insects. There may be a buildup of this sticky fluid on infested plants and on the ground below. The honeydew and sap also provide a medium for growth of fungi, such as sooty mold, which can cover leaf surfaces and stunt growth.

If working in a quarantine zone (which can change as new discoveries are made), know the rules and get a permit where necessary. In PA, a permit provides evidence that you have complete training on the rules of the quarantine order. To obtain a permit, you must take a “train the trainer” free online course, found at https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly-permit-training, to teach your employees the compliance procedures.

When traveling in and out of the quarantine zone or even nearby, check your car (including underneath and the wheel well) and any outdoor equipment such as landscaping supplies, mowers, etc. Keep your windows rolled up when you park. Don’t store things or park under infested trees, and don’t move firewood. Also avoid moving woody plant debris (e.g., fallen trees or branches and tree trimmings) and any living plants, equipment, building materials, or other objects.

When working in a quarantined area, if possible chip all woody debris on-site to no larger than 1-inch pieces in each of two dimensions. Ideally, leave all chips or woody debris on-site. The next best option is to take chips or debris to an organic materials recycler within the quarantined area. In PA quarantine zones, if you sell and/or produce mulch you will need to enter into a compliance agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA). (See section below on composting tips to kill SLF.) These regulations do not apply to grass clippings or autumn leaf collection.

Even in areas not yet affected, landscapers may want to recommend clients remove and/or treat any tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima) on their properties, as this is the SLF’s preferred host. Apply herbicide to the tree from July to September and wait at least 30 days before removal. (Failure to apply herbicide will result in new growth from the stump.) In the Spring, band highly infested trees with sticky tape to trap the nymphs crawling up the trees to feed. For both nymphs and adults, insecticides can be used. The most effective ingredients studied include dinotefuran, imidacloprid, carbaryl, and bifenthrin. For a list of products and an IPM guide, see Resources.

Composting To Kill Spotted Lanternfly

To kill viable insects or eggs in chipped material, the following composting procedure can be used:

  • Compost piles must be a minimum of 200 cubic yards. Internal temperature at a depth of 18 inches must reach 140°F (60°C) for four continuous days.
  • After the interior is heat treated, rotate the exterior of the pile to the center. Using a front-end loader or a bulldozer, remove the outer layer of the compost pile to a depth of 3’.
  • Start a second compost pile using the recently removed cover material as a core. Cover this second compost pile by moving the core material from the first compost pile as a cover at least 3’ deep. The second compost pile should remain undisturbed until the temperature reaches 140°F (60°C) for at least four continuous days.

Spotted Lanternfly Management Calendar

spotted lanternfly

Credit: Penn State Extension

 

TO REPORT SLF:

Pennsylvania
www.agriculture.pa.gov/Plants_Land_Water/PlantIndustry/Entomology/spotted_lanternfly/Pages/default.aspx
badbug@pa.gov
(866) 253-7189 or (888) 4BADFLY

New Jersey
SLF-plantindustry@ag.nj.gov
(833) 2223-2840

New York
www.dec.ny.gov
spottedlanternfly@dec.ny.gov
(518) 457-2087

Virginia
(804) 786-3515

Delaware
(302) 698-4577

Maryland
(410) 841-5870

RESOURCES:

Instructional Video from the New Jersey Nursery & Landscape Association (NJNLA) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UI0gIA9oTsg&feature=youtu.be

SLF Conferences For The Green Industry
https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly-conference-for-the-green-industry

SLF Insecticides Guide
https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/pi/pdf/SLFIndustryguidelines.pdf
https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly-ipm-management-calendar

Brochure For Homeowners
https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly-management-for-homeowners

 

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Thursday, 17 January 2019

Top 2019 Garden Trends

From enthusiastic horticulturists to casual garden tenders, homeowners across New Jersey want their yards and gardens looking beautiful and well maintained. Although we are still in throes of winter, it is never too early to start planning your garden for the warmer weather or consult with a landscaper. For those who are looking to update their homes with contemporary garden design ideas, there are plenty of popular garden trends emerging in 2019 that you can incorporate into your own yard.

ADAPTABILITY FOR EACH SEASON

In New Jersey, we are lucky that we get four distinct seasons every year. It also means that an enormous range of plants can grow in our area throughout different times of the year. Take advantage of that by creating a garden that looks beautiful all year round.

How to do it: Throughout your yard, incorporate plants that do well during different times of the year. Planting bulbs that will begin to sprout at the start of spring will get your garden going as the weather starts to warm up. Adding evergreen shrubs and topiaries will ensure that your yard has some green in it during the winter, while a tree that will showcase fall colors will highlight your yard in autumn. Finally, adding decorative flower pots throughout your yard can make it easy swap out plants to reflect seasonal colors and themes.

CREATE FOCAL POINTS

Focal points in and of themselves are not necessarily a new idea when it comes to landscaping and gardening. However, the latest trend is to come up with creative and unique items to showcase a particular area of your yard. The more imaginative you can get, the more spectacular your garden will be.

How to do it: We often pick beautiful trees or fountains as the focal point of a garden, but we’d encourage you to think outside the box! Spruce up a tool shed with a fresh paint job and some accenting plants and shrubs. Surround a comfy hammock or bench swing with colorful flowers and decorative boulders. Even your child’s playground or pup’s dog house can be the main feature with a little work. Take your creative focal points to the next level by installing alluring light fixtures to illuminate your yard’s centerpiece.

SUSTAINABILITY

When we talk about sustainability, we’re referring to adding elements that can promote the health and longevity of your garden without direct intervention. Not only does this help with the workload of maintaining your garden, but it can also save you some of the expense. Sustainable elements can also offer a variety of benefits to our local ecosystem.

How to do it: Think of ways to be eco-friendly! Choose a landscape design that promotes healthy water flow or install an irrigation system. Plant vibrant flowers to attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Incorporate decorative bird baths or bird feeders to encourage wildlife to visit your garden. Consider building structures to house compost, firewood or other yard debris that can be repurposed in your garden.

KEEP IT SIMPLE

You don’t need to be a master gardener to have a visually pleasing yard. With a little planning, you can create beautiful garden accents around your home that increase your home’s elegance and are simple to maintain. In 2019, it won’t be uncommon to see a “less is more” approach to gardening – especially in busy households.

How to do it: In New Jersey, there are plenty of plants that are easy to care for and will flourish in the area’s climate. For a garden that doesn’t require consistent re-planting year after year, we suggest filling your garden with a variety of perennials. Other good options are large leafy plants, such as coleus, plantain lilies, and ferns, which take up more space and therefore eliminate the need for additional filler plants in your garden. If you can, build an automatic sprinkler system to help save some time watering your plants. Finally, don’t be afraid to add non-living elements to your garden that don’t need as much attention, such as decorative boulders, structures, and patios.

Using a little inspiration from these 2019 garden trends, this year can be the year that you make your home and garden the peaceful and relaxing space you want it to be.

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Turfgrass Specialist From UF/IFAS Awarded For Excellence

cooperative extension

As a child in Dodge City, KS, Bryan Unruh grew up in 4-H. During his first year in the organization, he attended a lawn mower safety school taught by the county agriculture agent. That summer he mowed three lawns every week. In fact, he calls himself “a product of the Cooperative Extension Service.”

cooperative extension

Bryan Unruh at West Florida Research and Education Center in Jay, FL. (Photo: UF/IFAS)

In high school, Unruh envisioned himself as a corporate attorney. But when advisors from Kansas State University showed up in his hometown, he declared himself a horticulture major.

“I couldn’t fathom going to school for seven-plus years and then sitting behind a desk,” says Unruh, now a professor of environmental horticulture at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Ironically, he spent 10-plus years earning his three college degrees. Unruh has spent the last 23 years at UF/IFAS, helping people grow beautiful grass in environmentally friendly ways.

With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS works to bring science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents.

Recognition For Outreach In Turfgrass Industry

Now, Unruh is being recognized for his outreach and Extension efforts. In February 2019, he will be honored with the Turfgrass Educator Award of Excellence at the International Education Conference of Turfgrass Producers International in Charlotte, NC.

Previous recipients of this award include fellow UF/IFAS Professor Laurie Trenholm (2008), Ali Harivandi of the University of California Cooperative Extension Service (2014), and Grady Miller of North Carolina State University (2016).

The award recognizes Unruh’s commitment, dedication, and positive influence in helping to educate consumers, turfgrass producers, and industry professionals, says Karen Cooper, associate executive director of Turfgrass Producers International. It’s also a way to honor Unruh for making himself available to address turfgrass questions and concerns that promote the use and benefits of turfgrass.

“It’s quite humbling when you are asked if you can be nominated for such an award – it takes it to a whole new level when you are named the recipient,” says Unruh, a faculty member at the UF/IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center in Jay, FL.

Unruh, who specializes in turfgrass research and Extension, finds it rewarding to help people resolve a problem, improve their management practices, or help them through difficult and trying times.

“Most in the industry know that I am ‘on call’ 24/7 and will answer my phone whenever it rings,” he says. “My service to the industry isn’t just because I’m employed — it’s because it is my passion to be a resource for those in need.”

“Rarely does my phone ring with people on the other end just calling to wish me a good day,” Unruh says. “Generally, they have a challenge that needs resolved and they know I will come to their aid. Being recognized for that passion is rewarding.”

The Turfgrass Producers of Florida nominated Unruh for the award and used letters from three other organizations to support the nomination: the Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association, the Seven Rivers Golf Course Superintendents Association, and the Florida Turfgrass Association. Betsy McGill, executive director of the Turfgrass Producers of Florida, sang Unruh’s praises in her letter supporting him for the award.

Unruh possesses many positive attributes, said Mcgill. Among them, “he has been the ‘go-to guy’ for questions and help from a scientific perspective as we’ve worked with regulators and policymaking on pressing challenges like water use, fertilizer best management practices, and landscaping ordinances.”

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Monday, 14 January 2019

Students To Compete In Annual NALP Competition

landscape professionals

The National Association of Landscape Professionals annual collegiate career event and competition, the National Collegiate Landscape Competition will take place March 20- 23, 2019 at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO.

This year, more than 750 horticulture and landscape students from more than 60 schools will test their skills in 29 real-world, competitive events, and they will interview with landscape, lawn care, tree care, irrigation, and other companies at the Career Fair, which will be held on March 21.

landscape professionals

Photo: National Association of Landscape Professionals

“This event each year is the best opportunity to support and connect with the next generation,” said Sabeena Hickman, CAE, NALP CEO. “The fact that we have participation from top industry companies and suppliers is a testament to the talent of these students and to the competitive workforce environment we find ourselves in.”

The National Collegiate Landscape Competition relies on support from sponsors including STIHL, Inc. (Platinum); JOHN DEERE (Gold); Caterpillar, Gravely, Husqvarna (Silver) and Anchor, Aspire, Bartlett Tree Experts, Belgard, Bobcat, BrightView, CASE Construction, Corona, Ewing, Hunter, Kawasaki, Permaloc, Proven Winners, SiteOne Landscape Supply, Timberline Landscaping, the Toro Company, and Yellowstone Landscape (Bronze).

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Thursday, 10 January 2019

OPEI Expands Product Representation, Adds Golf Cars And Light Transport Vehicles

golf cars

The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) has announced that the International Light Transportation Vehicle Association (ILTVA) has transferred representation of its member products and respective ANSI standards to OPEI, effective January 1, 2019. This expands OPEI’s product representation to now include golf cars and light transport vehicles.

golf cars

Kris Kiser
President
OPEI

“OPEI is a natural fit for these products as we actively represent a wide range of utility vehicles currently in the marketplace,” says Kris Kiser, President of OPEI. “As the association of record in this space, we’re a leader in the development of safety standards for UTVs, and have significant experience as it relates to these vehicles with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and other regulators.”

OPEI currently represents manufacturers of utility vehicles for a wide range of end-user applications. ILTVA developed and maintained ANSI standards relating to the design and performance of golf cars and personal transport vehicles. That organization will wind down its operations, and those standards will now be part of OPEI’s ongoing standards development work.

“As uses and applications of these products have expanded, it made sense for us to partner with OPEI. The association has a demonstrable history in utility vehicle safety and performance standards and representing these products before regulatory authorities, as well as a deep background in market statistics collection, and positions us well as we look toward the industry’s future,” says Mark Wagner, member, OPEI Board of Directors, and President and CEO of Club Car, LLC, Ingersoll-Rand Industrial Technologies. “We’re excited to work with OPEI on the representation of our products on a going-forward basis.”

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Wednesday, 9 January 2019

Solid Brass Collection By Vista Professional Outdoor Lighting

landscape lighting

landscape lighting

Vista Professional Outdoor Lighting introduces Solid Brass Collection

The new Solid Brass landscape lighting collection from Vista Professional Outdoor Lighting is designed to provide the aesthetic appeal of brass with durability that spun brass fixtures cannot match. The collection consists of six models — four Up & Accent lights and two path lights — all of which feature thick-wall, die-cut brass construction finished with a proprietary Olde Brass process.

“Many outdoor lighting manufacturers offer fixtures made with spun brass,” said Cruz Pérez, vice president of sales and marketing for Vista Professional Outdoor Lighting. “However, spun brass simply cannot compete with solid brass when it comes to overall appearance and durability. It’s easy to tell the difference between the two types of brass by simply holding the fixtures in your hands. Our new Solid Brass Collection is heavier and stronger, built to rigorous specifications for lasting customer satisfaction.”

The 2216, 5006 and 5014i Up & Accent models feature tempered, shock-and-heat-resistant soda-lime glass lenses as well as tool-free, rotatable shrouds for easy fixture entry and aiming by hand. The 5105 Up & Accent has a bordered, high-impact, tempered lens with a high-performance anodized aluminum reflector.

All four Up & Accent models have solid-brass, adjustable knuckles with half-inch NPS and silicone o-ring gaskets for a reliable seal. The 2216 and 5006 include Vista’s high-performance LED 4.5W or 5.5W MR-16 lamp in 25°, 36° and 60° spreads. The 5014i model features integrated, advanced chip-on-board (COB) LED technology available in 1.5W, 2.5W and 3.5W with outputs up to 400 delivered lumens available in 25°, 36° and 60° spreads. The 5105 also features the same COB LED technology, but in 2W, 3W and 4W options, all with outputs up to 400 delivered lumens.

The collection’s 2265 and 2267 path lights have heavy-gauge brass stems with half-inch NPS and textured polycarbonate optic lenses specifically designed for even light distribution. Both models also include Vista’s new high-performance T3 COB LED lamp running at 2.5W with a powerful 193-lumen output. A lamp life of 30,000 hours reduces maintenance annual re-lamping and lamp replacement costs.

“With Vista’s new Solid Brass Collection, contractors can give their customers the beautiful high-end look they want with the outstanding reliability and durability they need — all at a reasonable price,” Pérez said. “And, because these fixtures are built to last, contractors can enjoy positive word-of-mouth that further enhances their reputations as lighting professionals.”

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Thursday, 3 January 2019

Salt Accounting 101

ice control

By Douglas Freer, CSP 

ice control

Loader skill: Determining the weight of the material being loaded is required to accurately account for a company’s salt inventory. A primer on how to estimate truck loads is online at www.sima.org/library.

Management consultant Peter Drucker once said, “If you can’t measure something, you can’t manage it.” This is relevant to managing your assets, and in particular, ice control chemicals. In today’s increasingly competitive marketplace, finding efficiencies and room for improvement can provide an advantage in your business space.

Next to labor, your ice control chemicals may represent the largest variable expense. How do you manage your inventory to ensure you get the best return? Are you using too much product, or could you use less and get the same results? How much shrinkage (theft) or spoilage (waste) do you have? Do you know? If you don’t have a system for managing your inventory and product, you can’t determine “normal” usage and benchmark to determine if you’re ahead or behind expectations.

What is salt accounting?

Salt accounting is the process of measuring and tracking ice control chemicals purchased and used during a season. The salt accounting system produces data that informs your decision-making related to operations, sales and expenses.

More simply, salt accounting is a check register for your ice control chemicals. You make deposits (credits) when you take a delivery of material and withdrawals (debits) when you use material to service your sites.

At a minimum, your salt accounting system should tell you how much material you purchased and when you used it. This system can be improved if you record where the salt is used by having drivers collect data for each site serviced.

One size doesn’t fit all

Your salt accounting system does not need to be complicated; in fact, keeping it as simple as possible for your specific needs is important for making salt accounting sustainable. Fancy applications on devices are not necessary to manage an effective system. The scope or sophistication of your salt accounting system will depend on your needs, which in large part is driven by the size of your business. It’s important to collect the same basic data whether you use 10 or 10,000 tons a season. The more ice control chemical you use the more incentive to find savings, since a 10% savings of a larger whole number will mean more dollars for the bottom line.

Developing a process

A very basic salt accounting system measures the amount of ice control chemical used per event, which allows for storm-event job costing. You could track this by truck driver and determine approximately how much product, on average, the driver uses and estimate application rates for a given route during an event.

However, with a little more tracking you can record salt usage at each site. Tracking the information to each specific site is not complicated and can be accomplished with a paper-based system, which can be converted to an electronic system if the use of technology is justified and cost effective.

Setting up an effective salt accounting system means answering these questions:

  • Who handles the data? The material loaded into each truck is recorded by the loader operator as well as the driver, who records site-specific information. Office administrators input the data into the database or storage system for future retrieval.
  • What materials were used? Was it bulk or bagged, straight granular salt or treated material? Did it include pre-wetting with a liquid system?
  • Where were the materials sourced (shop bin, satellite bin, retail location, etc.)?
  • Where and how much material was used?
  • Why was the application made? What site and weather conditions required the application?
  • What was the method of application? What truck and/or system was used to apply and what were the settings?

ice control

Master inventory sheet

A master inventory register is kept for each bin or storage location and for each product. This relatively simple register, or transaction journal, records the deposits and withdrawals from the inventory, giving you a quick reference on how much total material has been purchased, used and remains in inventory.

Keep a separate inventory register for each product that you use and for each location where product is stored. Physically checking inventory periodically will help uncover discrepancies, which can be investigated and rectified in a timely manner.

Storm event inventory sheet

A simple form filled out by the loader operator or by each driver provides a master log of the material applied for a particular storm event. The form records the material loaded and then returned (if any) at the end of the event, providing a total number of material units used by location.

Truck log

The driver log records the estimated amount of materials used during the event by recording how much was loaded into the truck and then how much was applied at each site. The driver is responsible for knowing how much material was applied and to ensure his calculations balance. If three tons of material were loaded and the truck came back empty, where and when were 6,000 pounds applied?

Automated measurement systems

Automated measurement systems are available to let the driver know how much material has been applied. Based on spinner rotation, hydraulic flow or some other means of measurement, the equipment is calibrated from known test measurements to provide close estimates on the units applied.

In the absence of an automated measurement system, the driver will have to visually estimate their load after each application in order to record the amount of material used. With guidance, practice and time spent balancing the truck log, the driver will gain experience and become more proficient at estimating product use.

Technology can be useful in collecting and processing data. Be leery of using technology if you don’t have a salt accounting system yet or if it isn’t sufficient to meet the needs of the business. Technology by itself is not a solution. First you need to know what kind of reports or information you want to get out of your system.

Calibration and application rates

Who decides how much material should be used in a given storm event or in a certain scenario? Does the driver make the call or do area managers or supervisors offer guidance? In the same storm scenario, one driver may feel that 500 pounds on a site is appropriate while another driver subscribes to the theory that more is better and decides to apply 1,000 pounds.

Establishing application guidelines for each site gives your drivers a basic guideline for how much material should be used under “normal” conditions. For example, if the average application is 500 pounds per acre, a 3-acre property will generally need 1,500 pounds of product. This does not mean that your driver should always apply this amount, since conditions may warrant more or less. But a guideline will help them make that decision. You can take the application guidelines a step further by providing a site list with property size, and then adding incremental calculations for each site, ranging from a light to heavy application. For example, you may indicate in a light icing scenario that your target is 250 to 300 pounds per acre. The driver can consult the reference chart for each site they’re servicing and determine the target quantity required and apply with that estimate in mind, recording actual units applied.

Ultimately when it comes to calibration, not only are you ensuring your equipment is calibrated and working correctly, but you are dialing in your drivers so they can make an effective application. Applying ice control chemical from a moving truck at varying speeds in traffic and around obstacles is imprecise, but measuring and checking against expectations will help make the driver more efficient and effective.

Return loop

Once your system is in place, the first step is to reliably and accurately record and collect the data each storm event. After the storm event you need to review the paperwork or data collected for accuracy, and enter it into your recordkeeping system if this is not an automated process. This system can be paper based or managed in Excel or another database, making it easier to tabulate and manipulate data to share with others.

With this type of data, you can begin to make more informed decisions and provide feedback to those who need the information, leading you to a more efficient and effective operation. •

 

THE BENEFITS OF MEASURING

Measuring and managing your ice control chemicals has multiple benefits. If you effectively track the flow of material through your business by event, driver and property serviced, you will have important data that can provide insights into developing and improving best practices. Feedback from your system will help to increase or improve:

Production efficiency. Feedback to drivers about proper application rates and methods reduces waste and guesswork and improves their effectiveness, resulting in more efficient service.

Storm management. Reduced consumption increases salt truck load range, which improves routing, reduces drive time for reloading and increases service consistency. Improved material management and awareness will reduce mistakes and the possibility of running out of material at critical times.

Cost control. Reduce costs by using what is necessary, avoiding waste and reducing overall material consumption, which reduces inventory and related carrying costs.

Inventory management. Determine how much product is necessary to service your client base for the season so you can accurately order in the preseason and manage in-season inventory levels.

Client expectations. With increased attention to detail, you are more likely to meet or exceed client expectations due to consistent and improved performance by avoiding under- or over-application.

Legal defense. Tracking material use at the client level provides useful information to dispute slip-fall claims.

Confidence. Crew members will have increased confidence in their work because they understand what they are doing and the accounting process will become second nature.

Best practices. You’ll be able to compare variables and measure outcomes as you experiment and test products and equipment, leading to operational tweaks in search of the sweet spot, resulting in the definition of your company’s best practices. If you don’t measure, you won’t be certain that one change or variable is better than another.

Doug Freer, CSP, owns Blue Moose Snow Co. in Cleveland. Contact him at doug@bluemoosesnow.com.

This article was featured in the Snow & Ice Management Association’s SB In Focus issue focused on transitioning from a residential to commercial snow company. Read the whole issue, sponsored by Buyers Products, here.

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