Brian Rowan, vice president, category management for SiteOne Landscape Supply, discusses the current state of the landscape industry, expectations for 2025 and more.
Green Industry Pros: How would you describe the current state of the landscape industry?
Rowan: The landscape industry is healthy and stable. The number of serviced acres and treatments continue to grow in line with historical rates.
Green Industry Pros: What trends have you noticed within the past year or so?
Rowan: Overall, things seem to be normalizing to pre-pandemic market behavior. Over the last few years, there have been significant pricing swings with commodities. We’re finally seeing some stabilization. The Seed category hasn’t corrected itself yet but we’re getting closer. There has been a trend toward private equity entrants at applicator, distributor, and manufacturer levels.
Green Industry Pros: What challenges are you hearing from landscape customers?
Rowan: Labor availability continues to be the primary constraint and concern. Both legislation and end-customer preference are driving new product usage trends. The impact has been most noticeable with pesticide (i.e. imidacloprid), fertilizer (phosphorous), and outdoor power equipment (petrol emissions).
Green Industry Pros: What are your expectations for 2025?
Rowan: Product costs will be less volatile but continue to be a primary consideration. (There will be) continued migration to products that address labor concerns such as slow-release fertilizers and robotic mowers. (There will be) continued advancements in products in response to legislation and end customer preferences such as battery-powered products.
