While not a new issue, perhaps now, more than ever, landscapers are stressing that productivity is imperative to their success. With the labor shortage having no end in sight and the cost of doing business continually rising, landscapers are looking for ways that they can increase their volume of work by being more efficient on job sites. For many, the answer has come from manufacturer support and equipment they can rely on.
“Productivity continues to be a very hot topic,” says John Powers, director of product management for ECHO. “The labor market isn’t getting any easier and landscapers need to find ways to be more productive. It’s a common theme we hear again and again.”
Knowing the power that connecting landscape business owners with one another can have, ECHO formed its User Advisory Group (UAG) in 2017. This volunteer group of Green Industry pros dedicate their time to mentoring, educating, and inspiring others in the industry. We asked some of these UAG members about what is helping them be more productive these days.
Ron Coleman, owner of Greenscapes Ohio, headquartered in Kent, Ohio, says that productivity is undeniably tied to profitability. He can’t afford to have equipment fail or slow him down, which is why he relies on ECHO to keep him up and running.
“The long runtime and reliability of the equipment help keep our crews productive,” Coleman shares. “All around, ECHO has been a strong partner that we can count on. If we have questions or need support, they’ve been fantastic.”
Marc McGuire, owner of Marc McGuire Landscaping in Patterson, Calif., agrees and says that ECHO’s Pro Attachment Series system has helped limit his downtime.
“There are several different heads that work with the attachments, which really helps keep us efficient,” McGuire says. “Anything that keeps us moving is incredibly valuable. And the power and quality of the tools is amazing.”
While attending Equip Expo in October, McGuire also noted that many manufacturers had really stepped up their battery power. The same has been true for ECHO, with the release of the X Series.
“With the X Series, a lot of the components are common with the gas units, making it a really easy transition for companies looking to add battery units to their fleet,” says Powers. “It’s very easy to evaluate how well a unit compares to what they’re already using.”
Mike Arch, owner of Arch Landscaping in Illinois, says the overall feel of the equipment and its ergonomic friendliness helps him to stay productive all day.
“It’s balanced well, and it’s comfortable,” he says. “That’s really important when it comes to being productive in a long day. I’ve found the ECHO backpack blowers to be some of the most maneuverable.”
Powers says that listening to feedback from UAG members has allowed ECHO to continue to ensure that their products support the end user. As a result, they're able to help landscapers maximize productivity.
