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What Should Landscape Leaders Be Worried About?

Greetings!
What are business owners worried about in 2020?
As you start planning for next year, learn what other professionals are thinking.

Lawn and Landscape Magazine recently published their State of the Industry report. They asked industry leaders about their concerns in the next 3 years. Here's our take:

Shortage of quality labor will continue. With unemployment near 50 year lows, recruiting, retaining and motivating team members is everyone's biggest challenge. We believe this challenge will continue in 2020, with a full pipeline of construction projects and robust consumer spending. Think outside the box: 1) increase training to boost productivity and retention; 2) invest in labor-saving equipment and products that reduce assembly time and errors.

Beware of squeezed margins. Labor, insurance and fuel costs are increasing. Adjust your prices accordingly or you will be less profitable in a booming market. Experts agreed that contractors are too slow and often too afraid to adjust pricing even with demand at record levels.

Future economic slowdown? While the survey showed contractors don't predict concerns in 2020, NOW is a great time to invest in your future. Attract more of the right customers who will stay with you if the economy softens. Diversify into a broader base of services (adding high-margin new services). Grow the "maintenance, upgrade and repair" side of your business.

We're preparing new resources to help you prosper in the New Year. Watch for them in this newsletter.

The Team at MPR Supply


Earn Gift Cards with Our Kichler Holiday Promotion

For $1,500 in Kichler purchased on a single invoice, receive your choice of:
$50 gift card to Sugarfire Smoke House BBQ or Honey Baked Ham

For $3,000 in Kichler purchased on a single invoice, receive your choice of:
$100 gift card to Sugarfire Smoke House BBQ or Honey Baked Ham


Limit 4 gift cards per company. Offer valid October 15-November 15, 2019.


We Have the Best Selection of Professional Holiday Decor

We're ready to serve your holiday decorating needs.

From light sets in all sizes, types and colors to greenery and wreaths, we have it all.

We select our products to be of the highest quality for professionals. No "homeowner grade" fakes here. Choose wisely and avoid products that waste your time with call-backs.

Schedule free delivery to your job site or office too! Contact with your needs or for pricing.





Have You Ordered Ice Melt Yet?

Gain the power of a trusted resource when you order your ice melt from MPR. Plan your purchases early to get unmatched pricing and terms. Buy it by the bag, by the pallet or by the truckload!

  • Buy Smart Lock in the best pricing and discounts by taking action now.
  • Yes, We Deliver Choose your delivery date(s) to simplify material flow and storage
  • Expert Support receive expert application recommendations and learn about the latest innovations


Get your ice melt needs planned so you can focus on more important things. Connect with your MPR representative now to get started. Click here to download our Ice Melt Pricing.


New Rain Bird Flexible Drainage Pipe: Easier to Handle, Easier to Install Than Conventional Corrugated Pipe

The new Rain Bird Flexible Drain Pipe system is a revolutionary landscape drainage system.

This unique pipe expands and flexes, making it perfect for tight spaces and curvy places. Because it can be shaped to the trench, it reduces the need for additional fittings, saving both time and money.

The pipe stays flat in the ditch during installation, removing the need to weigh it down as you install, further reducing labor time. The soil-tight fittings easily connect to the pipe, adding additional flexibility and a professional installation.

Plus you can get a lot of this pipe onto one truck! Ask us to see a sample!

Take 10% off all Rain Bird Flexible Drainage Pipe in November, exclusively at MPR Supply






Simplified Winterization with the Zurn 300 Series

Make winterization easier! The Zurn Wilkins 300 Series Backflow Assembly provides superior protection in a small, modular package. This patented, unique design allows for rapid commissioning and winterizing because the entire pressure vessel can be removed for line flushing. Additional features and benefits of the Model 375 and 350 include:

Lowest Life-Cycle Costs Reduced labor and repair kit costs yield savings of 75% or more during the backflow life-cycle

Optional Blow-Out/Flush (BOF) Fitting
Zurn Wilkins removable pressure vessel allows the unique Blow-Out/Flush fitting to be installed. Blow-Out/Flush fitting simplifies flushing of the system prior to start-up, eliminating debris that can foul checks. Fewer call backs for service. Blow-out irrigation system rapidly and thoroughly for winterizing and start-up, followed by convenient vessel removal for indoor storage to prevent freezing.

Removable Pressure Vessel Patented removable pressure vessel can be removed and replaced in seconds, significantly decreasing water system downtime. Pressure vessel is serviceable offline and reusable, resulting in reduced labor costs. UV resistant composite pressure vessel exceeds bronze performance levels, including severe weather conditions

Theft Deterrence Optional black fusion epoxy coating disguises the bronze, virtually eliminating backflow preventer theft. UV and weather-resistant coating is covered under standard Zurn Wilkins warranty.

Lead-Free Law Compliant Models Available Composite material pressure vessel reduces leaded alloys in your water system.

Visit the One Zurn YouTube Channel to watch the video about the 300 Series upgrades, as well as a video about winterizing an irrigation system. Click through for more information on 300 Series.


Closing the Deal with Landscape Lighting Customers

Tips from Kichler Lighting.

When you're on the verge of closing the sale but the customer is hesitating, most often the issue is cost.

Here are some of the most common approaches used by successful contractors who know how to get the customer to sign on the dotted line.

Nine lights not ten
For cost-conscious customers, an initial proposal that consists of nine lights at an installed cost of about $300 each - and a total cost that is just under $3,000 - stands the best chance of winning an immediate signature. Come back later with a second proposal. Secure the initial project and then add later.

Win the right comparison - not the wrong one
You can't beat the price of low-quality brands, so don't let cost rule your conversation. Listen to your customer's cost concerns but make the case for the total value of your services as a reputable contractor. Your customer is not just buying a product. They are buying the confidence and peace of mind that will come with your professional design and execution, plus the quality of Kichler Lighting's products and their industry-leading warranty. Your company and Kichler Lighting are entities that will stand behind the customer.

Be open and honest - and quiet
Ask the customer, "How far off are we on price?" Give the customer time and silence to respond. (Count silently to 10 if you have to.) By providing a number, the customer comes closer to a deal with you. Having a definite number helps you brainstorm ways to close the gap.

Segment the project

If the difference is big, offer to break the project into segments - you're happy to handle the front of the house this year and the backyard later. Make the case that it is better to install a limited number of high-quality products than a larger number of low-quality products that will not last as long. Because you trust your product and service, you can be confident the customer will want to follow through on the whole project eventually. Learn more on Kichler's website


Flint and Walling Offers Tips for Installing a Submersible Pump in an Open Body of Water

Traditionally, a submersible pump is installed vertically in a drilled well inside a casing (like PVC). Sometimes customers want the performance that a submersible pump provides, but want to install their pump in an open body of water, like a lake or a pond. Although not ideal, this can be done.

So how do you install a submersible pump in an open body of water and avoid damaging or shortening the life of the pump? There are three keys that will keep your pump operating in these conditions:

1) Flow-inducer sleeve This is a length of PVC roughly as long as the pump. It mimics the well casing that is found in a standard drilled well. Simply cut slots in one end of the PVC so that you can crimp/clamp the sleeve near the discharge end. This will force water to enter from the bottom of the sleeve. Water flows toward the intake of the pump, cooling the motor as it passes by. See the image as an example click to enlarge)

2) Angle of the installed pump A submersible pump cannot be installed horizontally. It is recommended that the pump be installed as close to vertical as possible, but no less than 10 degrees.

3) Avoid installing at the bottom of the body of water Most open bodies of water have vegetation, sediment, and other debris settled at the bottom. To avoid pumping these elements through your pump, it is recommended that the pump be suspended at least 10 feet from the bottom.


Winter Planning? Let's Grab a Coffee!

The winter months are a great time to make plans for the coming season. Let's meet up to talk about trends, opportunities and changes ahead in a shifting market.

Let's talk about our programs and advantages that could help you in the 2020 season.

Make use of the winter downtime to grow your bottom line. Give us a call to set a time to meet.