Editor’s note: We will continue to update this post as information becomes available.
Click here to view an index of our COVID-19 news coverage, organized by category.
Updated Dec. 17, 2020
United Rentals shares safety playbook for equipment rentals
United Rentals, the equipment rental provider, has shared nine key protocols at the core of its response to COVID-19. Following the onset of the pandemic, the company acted quickly to implement new measures for the safety of its employees and customers, both inside and outside its branches. The added protocols expand on the company’s industry-leading commitment to best safety practices, training and communications.
“Now, more than ever, construction and industrial companies are looking for assurance from partners that business is being conducted in the safest possible way,” said Antwan Houston, director of operations preparedness for United Rentals. “In early March, we prioritized the development of guidelines to ensure safe, continuous operations for our internal teams and customers. This playbook has been operationalized companywide, with the flexibility to adapt to a fast-changing environment.”
Updated July 17, 2020
Kioti donates 10K masks to frontline workers
Kioti Tractor donated 10,000 N-95 masks as well as a K9 2440 utility vehicle to UNC REX Healthcare, located near Kioti’s U.S. headquarters in North Carolina.
“Kioti Tractor has a long history of giving back to those in our community who need it most,” said Peter Dong-Kyun Kim, president and CEO of Daedong-USA, Kioti Tractor Division. “We’re proud to support the health care workers risking their lives on the front line every day to care for North Carolinians throughout this pandemic. We’re uniquely equipped as a company to provide power equipment that will help keep UNC REX running smoothly.”
Updated June 23, 2020
Associate Editor Sarah Webb speaks with Paul Fraynd, CEO of Sun Valley Landscaping in Omaha, Neb., and LM Editorial Advisory Board member, on the importance of having strong leadership throughout a pandemic, Sun Valley’s continued focus on its employees and more.
Updated June 17, 2020
Ruppert Landscape gives bonus checks to its front-line workers
As a means of thanking its front-line employees for their commitment and service during the COVID-19 pandemic,Ruppert Landscape has distributed bonus checks to 1,100 field-level employees totaling $470,000.
The landscaping industry was deemed essential under federal guidelines, so the company has been able to continue operating throughout the pandemic.
“We have been extremely fortunate so far,” said Craig Ruppert, CEO. “But, even with our essential designation, the only way to keep things running is by having a dedicated team who believes in your company and trusts that you are doing your best to look out for their health and well-being. Our team is an amazing group who have put aside their fears, come to work, adapted to changing protocols and enabled us to continue to honor our customer commitments.”
Updated June 10, 2020
The Herring Group to host Paycheck Protection Program loan webinar
The Herring Group will host a webinar to discuss the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Flexibility Act of 2020 on Wednesday, June 17 at 2 p.m. EST. Attendees will learn about the changes in the law and the current situation on PPP loan forgiveness. Areas of change include payroll, repayment, rehiring requirements and time extensions to use funds.
Register here for the webinar.
Strengthen your business in the current economy
Jason New and Jim Cali, principals at green industry consultancy McFarlin Stanford, sit down with LM Senior Editor Abby Hart to talk about leading remote workforces, managing Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds and growth opportunities for landscape companies in the current climate.
Check out the latest Landscape Management At Home video.
Ambius Hometown Heroes Program thanks front-line workers
Ambius employees in the U.S. and Canada created care packages for COVID-19 front-line workers as part of the company’s Hometown Heroes program.
More than 108 teams and districts participated in the Hometown Heroes program, choosing organizations in their own communities to give back to. The teams filled care packages, some of which included lunch for staff and homemade cards from the children of Ambius employees for health care professionals, senior care facility workers and first responders.
Click here to learn more about the program.
Updated June 8, 2020
Grow Group’s Sales Bootcamp to be virtual
Marty Grunder will host his Sales Bootcamp online on June 25-26, enabling green industry sales pros to hone their selling skills from the ease and convenience of their home or office.
In six live, one-hour sessions, Grunder, president and CEO of Grunder Landscaping and The Grow Group, will share everything he’s learned about succeeding at sales in his 37 years of experience and teach attendees step by step how to get the results they want.
“At least two things are certain for landscape pros in these uncertain times,” Grunder said, explaining his decision to take the June boot camp online. “One, many folks are reluctant to travel right now or simply don’t have the time to as we all scramble to catch up from the crazy spring we’ve had. And two, the companies that win in a changing market like today’s are the ones who continue to focus on sales and take a deliberate, proactive approach. Now is the time to sharpen your skills.”
Updated June 4, 2020
How one Michigan company used training to keep employees engaged
Michigan’s work from home order went into effect on March 24, but Troy Clogg Landscape Associates of Wixom, Mich., started to act about two weeks earlier, says Adam DeLamielleure, director of support for Troy Clogg Landscape Associates.
“Realistically, everything started for us around the 12th or 13th of March,” DeLamielleure says.
Owner Troy Clogg and the management team began communicating with employees and enacting heightened sanitation of equipment and hygiene protocols for the company that specializes in winter maintenance as well as design/build and summer maintenance for commercial clients. The company also does high-end design/build projects for residential clients.
Click here to learn more about the steps Troy Clogg Landscape Associates took.
