Five ways lawn care operators can maximize early order programs

The lawn care industry is fraught with numerous day-to-day challenges: from resistant weeds and pests to extreme weather like drought or heavy rain to labor shortages. An added complexity is the need to carefully manage inventory while keeping the business in the black to ensure sustainability and growth. While lawn care businesses are managing customer demands, partners like Envu are steadfast in pursuit of helping the industry prepare for a successful 2026 with our Envu Earnings Early Order Program (EOP).

EOP is a strategic opportunity that gives businesses the ability to secure new products without tying up significant capital. This also enables a business to discover new solutions to integrate into a turf care program without much financial risk. EOP can ensure that a business is ready to hit the ground running in the new year with the 5new season.

With products secured and pricing locked in, a business can be fully loaded and ready to pull the trigger without much capital on the line. There is nothing worse than being caught off guard by a wet winter that triggers early pest infestations or by warmer-than-normal temperatures that create sudden turfgrass pressures for key customers — scenarios that could have customers calling two weeks earlier than expected. EOP reduces worry about product availability, cash flow and pricing before peak business season ramps up.

Here are five tips to maximize EOP:

1. Look at the business needs. Review historical data to understand the product requirements during the first six months of the year. This will allow for a clearer picture of which products are being used more than others, volume of product used and other data points that will help inform purchasing needs for next year.

2. Calculate peak season chemical volume. It’s critical to track product usage during peak service time and increase order quantities to meet the increased needs. This will ensure full coverage for peak service periods in the new year and build in room for potential higher-than-expected business.

3. Plan for service expansion. The outdoor living craze isn’t slowing down anytime soon. This means customers will want reliable control against unsightly weeds and obnoxious pests like mosquitoes. In addition to mosquito management services, residential and commercial customers are increasingly requesting the use of 25(b) biological products. EOP is an opportunity to secure new products that support desired business growth.

4. Look at the term offerings. Compare term options to ensure they fit the business’s cash flow and operational needs. For example, the offers might reduce initial pricing and volume-buy rebates, which translates into cost savings for lawn care businesses. Consider which program best aligns with the business and financial road map and which programs offer the best return on investment. This will ultimately reduce your chemical cost to total revenue.

5. Leverage EOP to the business’s benefits. Use the end-of-term rebate to strategically pay down other business expenses. Additionally, since EOP offerings typically occur near year-end, owners can use purchases to help reduce tax burdens, creating another cost-savings opportunity.

Envu has teams of professionals who can help navigate business opportunities during EOP windows, ensuring owners get the most bang for their dollar. The big takeaway: EOP offers the best time to lower a business’s cost in use. EOP is a smart way to do business. It’s not about the cost of the jug or the bottle — it’s what each application costs the business.

Jeff Kwiatkowski
Head of Turf & Ornamentals for North America, Envu