Mark Schneid, head of commercial operations for Envu in North America, discusses what’s trending in the green industry, what’s to come and more.
Green Industry Pros: How would you describe the current state of the landscape industry?
Schneid: The industry is relatively steady. When you look at the feedback from the customers we talked to, they're certainly confident about the future of the landscape industry, although they're also keenly aware of the challenges offered by inflation, labor and fuel. Overall, the state of the industry remains strong in people's love for their lawns and landscapes, and that passion that drives the efforts of our customers is there, and I don't think it's going to go away anytime soon.
Green Industry Pros: How would you describe the current state of the landscape industry? What trends have you noticed within the past year?
Schneid: First and foremost, if you think about the hot growth we had during the COVID timeframe, that's slowing down, and there’s inflation impacting the P&L of our customers. One of the key areas is going back to the base, which is focusing on those things that are most important to our customers. The trend for our customers is how can I ensure I deliver the best results with peace of mind? It's the idea around solutions, around information, around education, where necessary, to help the customer feel more comfortable and confident, and then at the end of the day, delivering the results. That is the No. 1 contributor to satisfaction and loyalty.
Green Industry Pros: Can you elaborate on the challenges?
Schneid: Labor, for example, is not just hiring people, it’s about giving them fair pay and great opportunity to grow with the company. We talk about the customer experience, but it's also about the employee experience. If I’m a technician, how can you equip me with the right tools to do the job as efficiently as possible, as well as the right chemistry solutions to get great results? It’s really about the customer experience and the employee experience. That’s where companies like Envu can help by providing solutions that tap into efficiency, whether it’s through longevity or expanded control.
Green Industry Pros: What are your expectations for the next three to five years?
Schneid: Customers are looking for products that deliver greater efficacy. It’s also about making sure our customers do it right the first time. It’s about can we as a partner bring new solutions, new ideas and even training and education that help our lawn and landscape professionals. Give them tools that make them even more efficient and allow them to have some knowledge. We're focused on those things to not just deliver great solutions and innovation, but also be great stewards, in conjunction with our lawn care and landscape professionals, to get those best results each and every time, which are going to lead to more loyal customers and more referrals.
