January 2015
Happy New Year!
2015 is shaping up to be a great year. Experts forecast strong growth in demand for landscape and irrigation services as consumer confidence and the housing market continue to strengthen. Now is the time to prepare your company for increased volume.
Be ready to handle more work from your customers by:
- Strengthening your field team. Start an active recruiting program to find new staff. Invest in the productivity and skills of your current team by taking advantage of off-season seminars.
- Streamlining your office operations. Implement new procedures, install new software, upgrade phone systems and plan part-time help to handle the spring surge of phone calls.
- Upgrading tools and equipment. Eliminate downtime, reduce injuries and boost productivity with the right tools and equipment.
Rely on us to be your partner in providing the right supplies and advice to help you maximize your success in 2015.
Be sure to register for our conference and trade show later this month. It's a great way to see everything that's ahead for a great year!
The Team at MPR Supply
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Register Now: MPR Conference and Trade Show - January 21
Don't miss the region's most informative event for professionals
 Learn how to have your best year ever at the MPR SupplyConference and Trade Show, a not-to-be-missed day of smart seminars, vendor displays and a delicious lunch. Bring your entire team to experience this once-a-year extravaganza: SEMINARS: Your registration includes access to top classes. Lots of interesting information that can grow your bottom line! VENDOR BOOTHS: industry vendors will be present to hear your feedback and show you the latest innovations for 2015. Check out giveaway items and deals. LUNCH: Delicious catered lunch (serving 11PM - 1:00PM)
SCHEDULE: January 21, 2015, registration opens at 7AM with continental breakfast. Event runs from 8am to 4pm.
LOCATION: Graphics Communications Center (Dorsett and 270)
105 Progress Parkway Maryland Heights, MO 63043 RSVP: Call your MPR representative to RSVP for your team: 800-369-7257
Cost is $30 per person (for over $175.00 of total value!). Download reminder flyer here.
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Take LED Landscape Lighting Design to a New Level of Personalization with The Kichler Design Pro LED Controller
 Your imagination sets the bar when it comes to lighting luxurious outdoor spaces to perfection. Now Kichler gives you a world of new design possibilities with the Design Pro LED Controller. It makes it easy to take your landscape lighting projects further than a traditional 12V transformer ever could.
Multiple SKU options accommodate various project sizes and design needs, and the controller works with Kichler Design Pro LED 12V fixtures and most brands' 12V LED landscape lighting fixtures. To see the controller in action, or learn more, visit landscapelighting.com/ledcontroller. |
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Protect Your Customers with Ice Melt from MPR Supply
Help your customers avoid the dangers of slippery ice this winter. Be prepared for ice and snow with a good supply of premium ice melt to control those icy patches.
We carry a variety of blended products with effectiveness down to -20F degrees.
All products are available by the bag or pallet. Delivery to your shop is available when you order now.
Click here to download pricing and availability information.
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Why Small Businesses Should Always Be Interviewing
The competition for your next great employee never stops. With highly qualified candidates increasingly scarce, the task often can be even harder for smaller firms.
The problem is often supply and demand-small business owners want to hire just-in-time, but the supply isn't there. You can't think you'll run an ad and have a position filled within two weeks.
So how can small businesses tap into the talent pool?
Cast a wide net Try scouting spots: local chambers of commerce, career fairs, career centers, networking events, college faculties, industry associations, paid posting boards, and even Craigslist. It's about building a contact list and keeping in tune with which sources are the most helpful. You never know where the one perfect applicant is going to come from. The answer is everywhere-there's not one pattern that always works.
Keep the lines open Small business owners need to be constantly recruiting, watching the local openings and closings and keeping track of talented individuals who might be looking. One way to build an internal network: Set up your company's website to always accept applications, which can build a go-to pool of preferred and interested candidates. Keep an open mind when it comes to skills that might unexpectedly translate to other industries.
Don't let 'the one' get away Is this person smart? Someone who's good to have on your team? Then hire them and the business will come! Sometimes you don't need to post a job to make a strategic hire. |
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Got Dirty Water? Get K-Rain's Pro-100 Valve!
The K-Rain Pro-100 valve's straight-through flow path reduces friction loss and eliminates trapped debris. No more opening valves that don't flush clean! Pebbles, wood chips and other debris just flowsthrough. Perfect for dirty water! This valve has proven itself in tough conditions thanks to the clever placement of the diaphragm screen. The screen is continually cleaned by the turbulent flow of the water, resulting in a valve that is incredibly dirt tolerant. Watch the video!
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Wire Splices: Do Them Right or Suffer!
A tip from Regency Wire & Cable
 Poorly made wire splices can lead to costly problems. Because there are in-ground splices in irrigation, landscape lighting and water features, it's important to learn how to do them right. Here are some tips from Regency Wire: Always select a connector that is waterproof and rated for direct burial. Wire nuts wrapped with tape, or other home-made connectors may resist water initially, but will succumb to moisture intrusion. Unless the connector is waterproof, moisture will get to the bare copper and cause corrosion. Corrosion acts like an insulator. It builds up the resistance between the wires increases causing even more voltage drop. Eventually the voltage drop becomes bad enough that either the device (solenoid, lamp, etc) cannot receive enough voltage to operate correctly or no current passes through the connection at all. As resistance and voltage loss increase, the amp flow has to go up to maintain the wattage necessary for the device. This leads to other problems, like solenoids that burn out, failed chips in controllers, and lamps that burn prematurely. Higher amperage means more heat and more failures. Make the splice right from the beginning and avoid problems later.
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Stop Drainage Clogs with New Catch Basin Filters
 Prevent dirt and debris from clogging your customers' drainage systems. Clogged pipes reduce the effectiveness of drainage systems resulting in standing water and damage to property. Adding a filter is a simple solution to keep water flowing through a drainage system and a cost-effective alternative to expensive repair. Durable, innovative filter design. Removable and cleanable. Two sizes available for 9" and 12" NDS basins.
Click here for the spec sheet.
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