Landscape Management, November 2018

supply shortages and Lovings sod farming operation was born The farm boasts just more than 1000 acres of production and allows Loving to control the quality supply and cost To be in control of the sod which is the main driver in every landscape installation has been huge Haynes says We own the farming aspect as well as the installation aspect so we can align the two to ensure a super fresh product We know that on say Thursday morning we will be installing lot 175 so the day before we are at the farm cutting it Its allowed quality and efficiency that we believe are second to none In October Loving introduced its newest endeavor a centralized distribution center for all of its hardscape and outdoor living installation products Based in Orangeburg S C the facility will also manufacture some of the companys hardscape materials including all concrete precast products used in outdoor living installations Like the sod farm Haynes says this operation will allow the company to control the quality and availability of much of its hardscape materials In conjunction with the distribution centers roll out Loving recently announced a partnership with Lennar Homes one of the nations largest home builders to begin installing its proprietary outdoor grilling islands and fireplaces in every home it builds in select U S markets Just like granite has become pretty standard for new home buyers we think we can do the same with outdoor living spaces Haynes says This will help set the stage for other builders to follow and to make outdoor living more attainable for home buyers Our end goal is to make outdoor living affordable and available to nearly every new home buyer in America OVERCOMING OBSTACLES While the sky seems to be the limit for Haynes and his company there have been some challenges along the way Finding quality labor has been difficult at times but Haynes says Loving has done its best to overcome this obstacle by creating an environment that people want to work in These people include not only green industry laborers but also technology and marketing experts graphic designers dispatchers and customer service representatives Haynes says the company offers above industry standard pay a companywide bonus system and an employee assistance program for team members who find themselves in difficult situations Haynes is transparent with his team members and wants them to know how the company is faring financially and otherwise In addition 10 percent of all company profits are donated to local community outreach programs that help people in need Our team is the most important piece of the puzzle Haynes says We have a desire to make each and every employee the best version of themselves Lovings workforce grew by nearly 25 percent over the past year to a total of 135 full time employees which Haynes says was a critical but difficult task The company places a heavy focus on minimizing turnover and recruiting and has recently become active on social media particularly LinkedIn Haynes says it is a great platform on which to be goofy and unfiltered and provide a view into the company culture Lovings approaching includes conducting parody interviews highlighting the work of specific employees and sharing community outreach efforts Social media isnt something we have always participated in but we understand its a good tool to recruit new people and to attract and engage with different demographics Haynes says We are very intentional about who we bring on board and work hard to create a real company culture Its not perfect but its real Loving was ranked the fastest growing company on the 2018 LM150 list reporting 119 percent annual growth from 2016 to 2017 but Haynes says being the fastest growing firm is not something the company set out to be Still growth is a key component of success when done intentionally strategically and for the right reasons We want to grow but we dont want to just grow for the sake of growing Haynes says We want to make sure were growing a profitable and sustainable model that is known for quality service great products and great value Our ultimate goal is not simply revenue growth he adds That is a byproduct that allows us to do our ultimate mission which is to make a positive impact Schappacher is a freelance writer based in Cleveland PHOTO LOVING NOVEMBER 2018 LANDSCAPEMANAGEMENT NET 29 Although its goal isnt growth for growths sake Loving was ranked the fastest growing firm on the 2018 LM150 list