Landscape Management, October 2010

BUSINESS PLANNER 2011 CASE STUDIES ON GROWTH Master planners Considerable growth leads to expansion into new markets for DLC Resources BY JOHN WALSH DLC Resources is spreading its wings like an eagle soaring over deserts in the Southwest as it continues to grow Jumping from 1686 million in annual revenue in 2007 to 2198 million in 2008 and 22 million in 2009 the company recently expanded out of its headquarters into Tucson and Las Vegas With a niche of managing large master planned communities DLC is using its proprietary GPS software water management system environmental policies and talented employees to differentiate from competitors and boost business It seems to be working Keep track of it The proprietary software using GPS technology which was implemented fi ve years ago measures and tracks properties assets such as trees playgrounds mail kiosks water meters and irrigation components that require maintenance DLC employees can do this via LANDSCAPEMANAGEMENT NET OCTOBER 2010 104 continued on page 106 DLC Resources management team GROWTH PROFILE DLC Resources Phoenix AZ 2010 Growth 0 with 10 to 15 expected as a result of expansion into new markets handheld PDA devices Using the software DLC plots all assets on aerial photographs and in the case of trees and other assets can put a value dollar amount on each The company keeps track of everything it prunes and stores the information electronically allowing the company to look back fi ve years to help it plan for future maintenance needs The software also helps DLC and the communities it serves regarding liability If a particular tree fails causing damage resulting in a claim we can demonstrate theres a plan in place to minimize a negligence argument says Jeff Penney CEO and co founder of DLC Resources The most obvious edge DLC has over its competitors is the use of this GPS technology says Don Schlander head of business development No one else does it like this he says Every drop counts Aside from the GPS software DLC is using water management to set itself apart from its competition The goal is to provide only enough water to the turf and plants to remain healthy but no more Penney says The comprehensive water management program which was implemented eight years ago tracks all water meters 50 to 200 monthly per community including previous years water use A water budget is implemented based on acreage and vegetation type That budget and actual usage is compared to an associations budget Our people who program the clocks know how much it costs to run a cycle 500 to 4000 per cycle which is all the watering needed on a property for one night Penney says We can save signifi cant dollars per cycle because were looking at water reports and weather conditions We analyze the local conditions and work continually to balance the systems We arm our people in the fi eld with resources and knowledge and then theyre held accountable for the budget DLCs water management program saved Desert Mountain 30 on its water bill the fi rst year it maintained the property Penney says 15 to 30 is the norm for water savings for its clients Another example Johnson Ranch saved 50000 on water the fi rst year DLC maintained the property