November 2013

Fall brings shorter days and cooler temperatures.  The perfect time to enjoy the dramatic effects of landscape lighting.  

And it's also prime time to be installing holiday decorations and lighting so clients can switch them on after Thanksgiving.  We have a wide selection of wholesale-priced holiday decor available to you!

Ask us for information and ideas on ways to generate additional profits during the cold-weather months.

The Team at MPR Supply 

Business Tip: Service agreements are a great way to

build steady repeat income from your irrigation and lighting installations. Consider offering your clients service agreements starting with their fall "shut downs".  It's a great way to start spring with a full book of business 

Experts from MPR Supply to Speak at Missouri Green Industry Conference

MPR's own Craig Pisarkiewiczand Steve Leu are among the headlining speakers at the Missouri Green Industry conference on December 5th at the St. Charles Convention Center in St. Charles, MO.   

Craig will speak on low volume irrigation and Steve will speak on landscape lighting and holiday lighting.  These presentations will orient contractors to the profit opportunities in these service areas. 

The one day event also includes a vendor expo.  The knowledge you gain from just one session may be what it takes to get you and your company over the top from "Good to Great" in 2014. This year's topics are what you need to get ahead. 

 Click here to learn more and to register.  

Landscape Lighting for ALL Seasons  

Think landscape lighting is only meant to be enjoyed in the warm-weather seasons? This is far from the truth! Spring, summer, fall or winter -landscape lighting adds value to a home during every season.

The experts at Kichler adviselandscape lighting contractors and designers to visualize how each season will impact the homeowner's yard to determine their fixture choices and placement accordingly. If done correctly and in agreement with customers' needs and desires, the year-round enjoyment of their outdoor environment can be greatly improved.

Below are a number of tips for landscape lighting professionals:

• Large amounts of snow can impact the effectiveness of accent lighting fixtures. Place the fixtures high in trees to create a downlight or moonlighting effect, or on the trunk of the tree for uplighting.

• In warmer climates where plant material grows quickly, consider installing accent lights on stems. This way the fixtures will be off the ground and above the plant to prevent the reduction of light output.

• In areas with heavy snowfall, use a heavy-duty bollard-style fixture and be mindful not to place fragile path lights too close to a driveway or sidewalk. They may become completely hidden or damaged due to snow accumulation and removal.

• Consider the beam spread and amount of footcandles needed for different seasons. What might work for a tree in late fall or early winter may not work as well for that same tree in full bloom. A tree in the middle of the summer requires much more light than that same tree after its leaves have fallen.

For more information on Kichler, visit www.LandscapeLighting.com

Doing Business in a Social World

It seems not a day goes by where you aren't touched bysocial media, whether you're logging onto your Facebook page, reading about Google+in the news, or casting a vote for "The X Factor" reality show using Twitter as your ballot. With more social network sites popping up each month, howdo you know where to spend your time online?

Defining Your Social Strategy

You could easily get lost in the world of social media if you don't map out a path for yourself. Rather than join every social site known to humankind, it's best to figure out a strategy that doesn't overextend your resources; namely, your time.

The first thing you'll want to do is determine where your customers are hanging out. A recent Nielsen report noted that Facebook currently reaches 70% of active internet users, so chances are ... you'll find a good percentage of your target market on Facebook. But are there other social sites where should you take an active presence?

Top Social Picks for Small Business

To help you navigate the sea of social sites, a list of top picks forbusiness users will prove invaluable. Of course, you'll need to determine your own list based on your business strategy and constraints, but this list can help point you in the right direction.

Read on to learn about Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and more

Backup Backflow Freeze Protection from Wilkins
Designed to combat unexpected freezes

Unexpected freezes present a costly problem.   

The ZWFR can be used to protect devices like vacuum breakers, double-check and RP assemblies, as well as the detector assemblies on large backflow products.

The ZWFR operates on the principle of detecting the difference between outside air temperature and inside water temperature. The ZWFR senses when water becomes near-freezing (35° F) and opens, drawing warmer supply water into the system. As the system reaches equilibrium (40°F) the valve closes. Its compact design makes it not only effective, but also easy to install. The ZWFR threads into a standard test cock, allowing the device to be installed without having to shutdown or drain the system and it can be installed on virtually any brand of backflow preventer.

Install them now before cold weather comes.

Let MPR Help You Get Started in Profitable Holiday Decorating   

Turn down time into profit time when you offer professional holiday decorating services to your clients.

MPR helps you be successful with a complete line of professional grade holiday lighting products.  We have the area's largest selection of products for residential, commercial and public-area applications.

Get FREE Marketing Materials to promote holiday decorating to your customers.  Click this link to register for 100 free postcards to hand out or mail to your prospects. 

Holiday Lighting Opportunity

Backflow Certification Classes at Ranken Technical College

Ranken Technical College will be presenting ASSE backflow certification classes starting November 7th.  Re-Certification classes will be held on November 23 and 24.