Commercial Sales | Human Resources | Leadership Update | Operations | Performance Update | Projects + Business Development | Stores | Transportation
August 2024
| A MESSAGE FROM OUR V.P. OF OPERATIONS,MATT MALONE Reflecting on our year thus far, we had a strong start, however sales have stalled due to weather and economic conditions, leaving us flat or slightly behind 2023. This isn’t for lack of effort—our team has been fighting hard, and now we need to focus on finishing the year strong! Despite the challenges we faced including store staffing, production fires, and uncharacteristically high property damage incidents, we have achieved some great results: We have a beautiful new store in North CantonWe are producing more material at various locations than ever beforeOur sediment sites are executing and managing more volumesWe are selling a new hardscape line (Techo-Bloc)We have supplied numerous highly touted projects including Irish Bend and HayditeWe added 2 new single axlesWe replaced our expense leased semi’sValley Belt is continuing it’s closure activitiesWe have numerous new marketing initiativesTeam members in new roles are performing great!This year may not be what we forecasted but we remain well positioned thanks to everyone’s hard work. Let’s finish the year strong and keep pushing forward! Your dedication will pay off despite the challenges. Keep hunting for new customers, winning over those who aren’t buying from us yet, providing excellent customer service, and striving to be the best. Let’s close out the season with determination and strive for continued success! |
| A MESSAGE FROM OUR FINANCE DIRECTOR,RYAN CARUSO July continues the trend of doing well, but not as good as last year. Considering the current market and many of our competitors and customers are reporting being down 20%, us being down 1% in Sales and 5% in Net Income is pretty good. A couple of positive things to note related to our dredging operations. Through July of last year, we had recognized revenue for 35k yards of sediment received form the Grand River Dredge and we are estimated to received 60k yards of sediment in 2024, which is expected to be included with August’s numbers. In addition, the Conneaut Dredge site brought in 78k yards for sediment that we will be able to recognize the revenue as we excavate from the site, which is expected to occur over the fall and winter. As long as we stay the course, these two projects have us primed to not just match last year, but to exceed last year with both cash flow and profitability. |
| A MESSAGE FROM OUR COMMERCIAL SALES MANAGER, PETER ZAPPOLA Fall planting season is quickly approaching, and soil orders are already rolling in for September and October deliveries. Our commercial landscapers and construction contractors are gearing up for a busy season, ensuring their projects are completed before the first snowfall. Even mulch orders are coming in to provide winter bed protection against the elements. We’ve also been quoting several ODOT projects, with orders for soil and fill materials expected in early 2025. It’s important to note that KB/ENW soils meet or exceed all ODOT specifications, making us a preferred supplier. Additionally, many surrounding municipalities within our coverage area are investing in infrastructure improvements, which should keep winter sales steady. As the only soil producer with year-round availability, we are uniquely positioned to meet the needs of large construction projects that require soil, even when planting isn’t involved, to prepare for pavement and project completion. Looking ahead, future opportunities are strong. We are currently quoting major projects such as the Football Hall of Fame in Canton, the continuation of the Lock 3 project in Akron, Geauga Lake in Aurora, and the upcoming new Browns stadium in Brookpark. These are all projects our KB/ENW sales team will be focusing on, setting us up for a strong finish to 2024 and a promising start to 2025. Our distributor partners have provided their reviews for our performance during the 2024 landscape season, and the feedback is overwhelmingly positive. They are collectively pleased with our service (kudos to the transportation team—great job), our quality (thanks to all production sites—fantastic work), and our customer service. These three elements are what we call the “trifecta” for success. The Commercial Sales team extends a big thank you to everyone for making it easier to grow our business. Remember, nothing happens until somebody sells something! |
| A MESSAGE FROM OUR DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, AARON BROCKWAY Production crews are actively preparing topsoil across all locations and have even started filling in under the bridges at Big4 in preparation for the winter blend. Additionally, we’ve successfully completed the 5,000-yard screening job for Quasar in Avon. |
| A MESSAGE FROM OUR REGIONAL STORE OPERATIONS MANAGER,TAMMIE HATTERY |
| Strongsville Secures New Customer We’re thrilled to announce that Strongsville has gained a new customer in Michigan. This order, valued at $20,000, marks a significant achievement for our sales team. Kudos to everyone involved! Deco Stone Sales on the Rise Great news from our Deco Stone division—sales are up by 6% this month! This growth reflects the hard work and dedication of our entire team. Let’s keep up the momentum! Willowick’s Impressive Order Willowick recently fulfilled an order for 70 supersacks. This is a testament to our efficient operations and ability to meet large-scale demands. Well done, Willowick team!They are also the 1st store to hit their New Customer goal for 2024! Updated Saturday Hours Please note that effective July 20th, our Saturday hours will be from 8 AM to 1 PM. This adjustment will help us better serve our customers and streamline our operations. Manager Swap Day This exercise allows the managers to work a day at an assigned store to not only connect with the staff, but also collaborate on successes/challenges they have had thus far. New Customer Sales: We’ve achieved 83% of our companywide new customer sales goal this month. A big thank you to all our team members who contributed to this success! Hudson Yard Update: We’ve reset the Hudson yard to improve traffic flow and enhance the customer experience in the pick row area. Check it out during your next visit! Student Appreciation: Thank you to our dedicated student workers returning to school this month. Your hard work has been invaluable, and we look forward to welcoming you back next year Free Delivery Days: Mark your calendars! Over Labor Day weekend, we’re offering free single axle deliveries to our loyal customers. It’s our way of saying thank you for your continued support. Product Line Growth: We’re excited to report that our Deco stone product line has grown by 6%, and Supersacks have increased by 11%. This progress demonstrates our commitment to expanding our offerings and meeting customer needs. HUMAN RESOURCES / MARKETING Have you moved? Do you have a new phone number or e-mail address? Be sure to keep your information up to date in APS / eselfserve! This is our source for sending out important information such as company updates, tax forms, and more! If you forget your password, you can click “I forgot my password” to reset it. WELLNESS MONTH IS COMING! October is Wellness month and it will be here before you know it! Get ahead by scheduling your preventative visits now!   BACK TO SCHOOL SAFETY SLOW DOWN: BACK TO SCHOOL MEANS SHARING THE ROAD School days bring congestion: School buses are picking up their passengers, kids on bikes are hurrying to get to school before the bell rings, harried parents are trying to drop their kids off before work. It’s never more important for drivers to slow down and pay attention than when kids are present – especially before and after school. SHARING THE ROAD WITH YOUNG PEDESTRIANS According to research by the National Safety Council, most of the children who lose their lives in bus-related incidents are 4 to 7 years old, and they’re walking. They are hit by the bus, or by a motorist illegally passing a stopped bus. A few precautions go a long way toward keeping children safe: Don’t block the crosswalk when stopped at a red light or waiting to make a turn, forcing pedestrians to go around you; this could put them in the path of moving traffic In a school zone when flashers are blinking, stop and yield to pedestrians crossing the crosswalk or intersection Always stop for a school patrol officer or crossing guard holding up a stop sign Take extra care to look out for children in school zones, near playgrounds and parks, and in all residential areas Don’t honk or rev your engine to scare a pedestrian, even if you have the right of way Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians Always use extreme caution to avoid striking pedestrians wherever they may be, no matter who has the right of way SHARING THE ROAD WITH BICYCLISTS On most roads, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as vehicles, but bikes can be hard to see. Children riding bikes create special problems for drivers because usually they are not able to properly determine traffic conditions. The most common cause of collision is a driver turning left in front of a bicyclist. When passing a bicyclist, proceed in the same direction slowly, and leave 3 feet between your car and the cyclist When turning left and a bicyclist is approaching in the opposite direction, wait for the rider to pass If you’re turning right and a bicyclists is approaching from behind on the right, let the rider go through the intersection first, and always use your turn signals Watch for bike riders turning in front of you without looking or signaling; children especially have a tendency to do this Be extra vigilant in school zones and residential neighborhoods Watch for bikes coming from driveways or behind parked carsCheck side mirrors before opening your door SHARING THE ROAD WITH SCHOOL BUSES If you’re driving behind a bus, allow a greater following distance than if you were driving behind a car. It will give you more time to stop once the yellow lights start flashing. It is illegal in all 50 states to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children. Never pass a bus from behind – or from either direction if you’re on an undivided road – if it is stopped to load or unload children If the yellow or red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, traffic must stop The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them space to safely enter and exit the bus Be alert; children often are unpredictable, and they tend to ignore hazards and take risks By exercising a little extra care and caution, drivers and pedestrians can co-exist safely in school zones. For those with children heading back to school — here’s a checklist to help keep them safe & healthy throughout the year! 
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