Contractor Deals with Economic Pinch

There’s plenty to keep track of at Turner Tree and Landscape in Bradenton, Fla.

For starters, the company is working on at least 70 jobs, has 220,000 trees in inventory for upcoming projects and is grooming 10,000 trees for the future.

And there’s plenty Darrell Turner is proud of as president and chief executive officer.

The company has done landscaping projects at Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, Gloria Estefan’s home, McKechnie Field and numerous golf courses in Manatee County.

“The better part for me is making a living with the land,” Turner said.

Founded in 1983, Turner Tree and Landscape’s primary clients, which total more than 150, are within a 50-mile radius. About 85 percent of its business is commercial landscape.

Commercial landscape and hardscape on office and business parks has been good to Turner Tree and Landscape’s bottom line. Projects start at $10,000.

However, dismal economic conditions that have put a pinch on development have presented challenges for the company and its six tree farms, which cover 1,200 acres.

Last year, Turner saw its annual revenues decline from $15 million in 2007 to $9 million in 2008.

“The main thing we’re seeing is businesses who are having a hard time securing their financing for projects,” Turner said. “And the project does not move forward until financing is secured.”

The economy forced Turner to lay off 80 employees during the past 15 months, put its administrative staff on 32-hour workweeks and implement four, 10-hour days for production crew.

“This is keeping down overtime, cutting fuel costs by 20 percent, cutting repair costs on equipment,” Turner said. “We’re getting busier and we’re trying to do more with less.”

But Turner expects the company to do better this year and is projecting an annual revenue of $10 million.

Turner Tree and Landscape landed 25 projects in January and three contracts through the first week of February.

Turner is content with his company’s start to the year. Aside from the challenging economy, his field has become more competitive.

“Bidding projects has become a lot more competitive,” Turner said. “It used to be three, four or five companies would bid on a project. Now we’re seeing, and this is no joke, 10 to 30 bid on a project.”

However, it helps that 80 percent of Turner’s clients are repeat clients.

Pat Neal Communities is among one of Turner Tree and Landscape’s repeat clients.

Home developer Pat Neal contracted Turner on The Harborage on Braden River, as well as new residential developments in Parrish.

“I have dealt with Darrell for more than 30 years and I like working with his company,” Neal said. “I find their firm can do a big project on time and on budget.”

And, to make sure new clients are aware of his work, Turner’s marketing strategy is to get his name out there as much as possible.

Turner puts a company sign on all projects and for large projects, he has 10 semi-trailers that are parked on the site with Turner Tree and Landscape’s name and panther logo on the side.

The semi-trailers double as storage but more importantly, the Turner name is seen by passersby.

The company has 200 pieces of equipment carrying the company name.

“We put a company sign on every job because we’re proud of what we do,” Turner said.