S hop S upplies PLAN FOR PARTS Landscapers offer tips on how to keep your shop well stocked without overspending. By Lindsey Getz 110 october 2015 | lawnandlandscape . com “SINCE WE’RE REALLY PUTTING THE MOWERS TO WORK, IT’S EXPECTED THAT PARTS WILL FAIL.” Josh Cameron, facility supervisor for The Greenwood Group PHOTO COURTESY OF CLASSIC LANDSCAPES E ven the best landscape company, with the most efficient crews, tightest scheduling and fanciest equipment can be ground to a halt by something as simple as a busted drive belt. “When equipment breaks down – and it always will – you need to have parts on hand,” says Peter M. Schepis, vice president of The Greenwood Group in New Melle, Mo. “A machine is not making us any money when it is not in service. You need an established stock of parts that can get equipment back into production as quickly as possible. You also need reliable vendors that can get parts quickly for the parts we don’t normally stock.” “Just like you wouldn’t want to run around half a day picking up plants, soil amendments and other supplies needed to install a landscape, you wouldn’t want to run around picking up parts for the equipment maintenance and repair side of your business,” says John Newman, president of Classic Landscapes, in Hamp- ton, Ga., who says he budgets one percent of gross revenues to