The Horticulture Week forum

Re: The bigger they are, the harder they fall

Philip Voice — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 09:52:32 GMT

There is speculation that a a big landscape company in southern England is about to fail.

But who can it be?

Re: The bigger they are, the harder they fall

Lara Warner — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 10:32:47 GMT

The lesson we all need to learn is not to overexpose ourselves. We prefer to keep the majority of our contracts in the residential market as they generally have a shorter turnaround from contract to payment.

Seeing the hits in profits some of the manufacturers have taken this year has been sobering and helps to focus the mind ... DEFRA are still to confirm whether or not the new regulations covering driveways and permeable paving will in fact come into force from 1 October and there has been no response from the submissions provided on behalf of the contractors.

Businesses need to concentrate on these emerging markets - such as the permeable driveway, and find ways to generate new business through these uncertain times

The bigger they are, the harder they fall

Philip Voice — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 07:51:36 GMT

I am asked frequently by one man bands or small businesses how they can expand their business and reach out to larger commercial contracts.

There is a perception amongst landscapers and gardeners that there is safety and financial comfort when you are engaged in a commercial transaction with a larger organisation.

This is not always the case unless it is a local authority and you have a signature that locks them in for a certain period of time.

Many large organisations such as building or property maintenance businesses will be under severe pressure to stop the bottom falling out of their worlds and builders will certainly not be looking to lavish money on landscaping the gardens as they may have done in the days of booming sales.

Property letting landlords will also be stretched with many now in a negative equity situation and not being able to afford their commercial mortgages, let alone paying for someone to maintain the gardens.

If you are a one man band then you would be wise to sit and watch developments unfold. Larger landscapers and garden maintenance companies will now be in positions that they cannot control and if they are waiting on large sums to from property developers or landlords to settle accounts in arrears then there will surely be casualties.

It is not a nice thought but when there are casualties higher up, your business can pick up business and to an extent prosper or at the very least stay solvent and pay the bills and more importantly the wages.

I would personally avoid buying vehicles or large items of machinery unless there is a immediate need or you can be certain of a return and protection on your investment.

It will continue to get tougher in my opinion and just remember the headline - The bigger they are, the harder they fall!