LC/DBM provides landscape contractors with Educational, Imaginative and Practical information about their business, their employees, their machines and their projects.
Issue link: https://landscapecontractor.epubxp.com/i/221892
Whether for your slow season or to boost your income year-round, there are many products available, and more coming out all the time, that not only fit in well with a landscape professional's skillset, they can help differentiate them from the competition, and provide new revenue streams. For example, the WaterVac Solids Separation System was invented by Drew DeMay of Fountain Bleu who was frustrated at the standard method of cleaning his clients' water features, which often killed the fish. According to the company, the machine cleans water features faster, with less trouble, such as having to wade into the water and risk slipping, and most importantly, without harm to fish. The company even offers a buy-back guarantee. fountainbleuvac.com Holganix is a 100 percent organic bio-nutrional product designed to create healthy soil ecosystems while reducing the need for synthetic inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides. The company markets its products, along with its proprietary RAD (refrigerated automated dispensing) unit as a way to capitalize on the green and sustainable trends and to "add value to your company so you can grow." holganix.com The Rodenator Pest Elimination System is a non-poisonous, chemical-free, trap-free method for ridding an area of burrowing rodents. We're finding that (this) method is bringing in new business," says Mark Lynch, president of Legendary Landscapes, of Salisbury, Md. "The concept is an easy sell as an add-on service." rodenator.com This is one other approach to increasing income. Numerous product manufacturers, many of them new, are actively looking for people to sell their products. Typically, manufacturers want their dealers and distributors to have a store or warehouse but, according to Entrepreneur Magazine, "someone could conceivably run a successful wholesale distribution business from their basement." Other potential places to set up shop are at your current location, and the Internet. For instance, John Spence, the owner of SMK Industries, which manufacturers sprayers for the landscape industry, says that he is hoping to grow a worldwide network, starting with the U.S. and Canada, and is open to the possibility of online distributors. smksprayers.com SYNLawn, one of the biggest providers of synthetic lawns in the United States is looking for distributors, stating, "showrooms are not required for every partner." synlawn.com Another synthetic turf manufacturer, Blue Sky Turf, "is always looking for energetic and business-savvy people to bring (their) products to the market place and share in all the benefits as a select dealer. blueskyturf.com Floating Islands West, LLC, the West Coast manufacturer and distribution center for BioHaven® Floating Islands, which are used for habitat restoration, carbon sequestration and water cleansing, are looking to partner with entities that would be a good fit for their product including watergarden and pond professionals. floatingislandswest.com Western Timber Frame, a manufacturer of pre-cut, pre-stained timber structure kits, is seeking to attract dealers for its products, which include pergolas, breezeways, trellises, gazebos and more. westerntimberframe.com Wood Stone Home, which offers wood-fired and gas-fired stone hearth ovens and cooking equipment in an array of sizes for both indoor and outdoor kitchen installations, wants to sign up distributors and dealers. woodstonehome.com LEDS America, Inc. is "aggressively growing brand new technology business" by offering distributor opportunities for their Led-O "The Green Light" brand of lighting, which includes PAR, MR16, Incandescent and CFL lamps. ledsamerica.com DBM Choosing a product that you have professional expertise in is strongly advised by industry experts. Contact the manufacturers whose products fit this bill and ask about their wholesale opportunities. If prospects look good, compare their wholesale rates to retail rates, then factor in shipping and overhead to determine profit potential. Success in business often relies on adaptability, agility and creativity, especially when opportunities crop up. And what better time than the start of a new year to peek over the fence. Here's wishing you much success in 2014. LC 18 LC DBM