January News from MPR Supply
The Pause that Refreshes
With just 60 work days between now and the start of the busy season, it’s tempting to dive right into preparations.But maybe you should pause and reflect?
Thinking back to last season can give you insight on what you might really want to focus on before spring.
Ask questions like “what did we learn the most from last season?”, “what worked best – and what didn’t work well at all?” “What are our blind spots going into a rapidly changing market?” “What’s the one big mistake we don’t want to make again?” Take stock of your accomplishments and successes. Think through the biggest challenges and make a list of what to tackle first.
Slowing down can actually help you speed up. You won’t just be busy this winter, you’ll be productive!
Looking for more ideas to strengthen your business? Don't miss our Contractor Meeting in February.
The Team at MPR Supply
Save the Date! MPR's Contractor Meeting will be February 7th
Plan to join us for our annual Contractor Meeting on Wednesday, February 7th, 2024. The location will be the same as prior years: Spazio's Westport 12031 Lackland Rd, St. Louis, MO 63146
Come to learn about all of the new products being introduced for 2024 and the latest tips from all of our vendors.
Watch for the registration information in your email.
Kichler's New Transformer Wins Award at Irrigation Show
Offers WiFi App Connectivity, Plus Zoning Control of Lighting
Offers advanced app-control of up to 3 different lighting zones. Kichler's 300W low-voltage Smart Control Transformer offers you the flexibility to design and schedule up to three separate lighting zones, so your customers can customize and control the areas they want to illuminate, all with the Kichler Connects™ app.
Utilizes Wi-Fi® connectivity.Manual mode for easy contractor set-up.Includes dusk to dawn astronomical timer with Kichler Connects™ app .Compatible with Kichler and other low voltage landscape lighting .Angled terminal blocks for easier wire connections.
Learn more here.
Incentivizing Irrigation Techs to Embrace Training
A consistent problem for contractor leaders is employees who want higher pay and more responsibility, but who don’t warm up to off-season training opportunities. What are other contractors doing to get ahead of these challenges?Here are some of the best practices we’ve gathered:
- Create a roadmap for each tech’s career path and professional objectives. Ask questions about personal motivations and aspirations: Why do they come to work every day? What are their career goals? How can you provide the process to obtain them?
- Make training part of your culture with public visibility of completed training and milestones. Post training opportunities and discuss them in your weekly team meeting. Make progress visible to everyone. Praise publicly.
- Offer rewards, separate from regular pay. Create a menu of reward options so they can earn what motivates them: a variety of gift card options, paid time off, tools or other preferences. Be sure rewards “pay out” frequently during the season (every 2 weeks or monthly).
- Celebrate big achievements with big prizes. The tech who gets certified or completes the most rigorous training plan gets a large reward like a paid vacation.
Download Free Irrigation Electrical Troubleshooting Guide from Regency
Even with the most advanced irrigation installations, there will be times when controllers, system wiring, or valves can fail to operate, causing water not to flow to the sprinkler heads. Thanks to Regency Wire, we're offering a free PDF electrical troubleshooting guide that covers the steps to troubleshooting common electrical problems in irrigation systems.
PDF Article - Irrigation Troubleshooting Simplified
Resolve to Accelerate Your Job Site Productivity with Blazing Saddles
Did you know there is an irrigation saddle that doesn't require any tools to install? Brought to you by King Innovation, the Blazing Saddles are the fastest self-tapping saddles in the irrigation market.Simply clamp the saddle over the pipe, push down, twist on the tap, and you are done! No clamping, coring, or cutting is required.
These innovative saddles are available for use on ¾" to 1-1/4" poly pipe and ¾" to 1-1/4" PVC pipe. Blazing saddles are made of high-impact ABS and are designed with a barbed fitting ensuring not only an easy installation without tools but a secure and long-lasting fit. With optimal sprinkler head flow, delivering more than 7 gallons per minute at 40 PSI and 12 gallons per minute at 60 PSI, these saddles are the best way to guarantee optimal system life and avoid costly re-work.
Channel Drain Made Easy: NDS Dura Slope
NDS Dura Slope Trench Drain system incorporates contractor-friendly features that make it easy to install on both residential and commercial applications. It replaces costly concrete drainage products without sacrificing strength and drive-over compatibility.One unique feature is the built-in slope available in the channels. These create a 0.7% slope that ensures the channel empties even when installed perfectly flat.
Dura Slope’s lightweight, modular sections allow for easy installation and quick assembly. Grooved connections allow the sections to snap together without adhesive. Built-in rebar supports hold the channel stable during concrete pour. Pair Dura Slope with standard, specialty (including narrow slot opening) and decorative grates to achieve required load ratings. Let us know your aesthetic requirements so we can recommend customer-pleasing options. Radius couplings allow Dura Slope to match to curving and circular applications, great for curved paths, patios, pools and running tracks.