Down but not out

Last time we checked in, a potential housing solution for prospective employees was turning out to be a waste of money. A client’s home that wasn’t being used was rented to the landscape company, but it sat empty as Davies said they weren’t able to get the labor they needed to fill the rooms. Fortunately, after an expense of about $14,000, the client let them out of their contract.

“(The housing) was a gamble that did not pay off this summer,” Davies says. “I would be hesitant to commit to something long term after this trial run.”

The greenhouse project is well underway, and Davies says they’ve had some good progress made since the project began. They’ve been able to secure a supplier for the nursery operations, one of the largest retail buying groups in Canada.

“This will nail down the branding for the greenhouse and give us huge discounts on our purchases or nursery goods,” she says. Now that they’ve secured a plant supplier, the greenhouse will be able to be used to increase the Pratt’s recognition in the area and give the company a more professional working environment.

The team is also exploring the potential to grow some specialty products like edible mushrooms, herb gardens and indoor plants to add to their retail mix.

The employment situation still continues to be a struggle for the business. Davies said they had some really hot days this summer, which is unusual for their area. The hard work in the heat slimmed down their work force, and there’s still quite a few open positions.

“We have actually lost 6 staff in August with students returning to school, and (with) the strain of a long summer people have just had enough,” she says. They also had some firings to handle as well. The apprenticeship program is working well, and Davies says they have two apprentices currently. She’d like to have about 10 more to round out the program, however.

At the beginning of the season, the business lost three weeks of work due to flooding, and it did impact the company’s finances a bit.

“We just were not able to get on properties,” she says. “(It’s) never a shortage of work, usually a shortage of labor. If I don’t have the staff I just cannot bill out enough to meet our goals.” Still, the company is about $150,000 ahead from last year. The goal to hit the $2 million mark this year is off quite a bit, though.

Harvesters’ Take.

Jennifer and Bob have had their share of challenges this season. Over ten feet of snow fell during the winter and then it literally rained for a month in April, forcing them to begin the season one month later than normal.

Their greenhouse project has been making progress but much slower than they expected. Between the weather, the lack of timely inspections from the local authorities and the rock blasting contractor they hired, that never showed up, they are weeks behind where they had planned.

They suffer from the same problem most all of the U.S. suffers, the lack of good people. What adds to their plight is their location and short landscape season, it’s only six months.

As far as work goes, they have so much work they have already pushed jobs into 2020. Jennifer said they could easily add three or four more crews on right now but they just can’t find the people.

Despite all of these setbacks the Harvesters are amazed at how tough and optimistic the owners are. It looks like they are going to make the budget set last fall and at least get the framework of the greenhouse up so they can work on the inside over the winter.

The biggest challenge they are dealing with right now is the low morale of their staff. Harvester Bill gave them six solid tips in how they could improve their spirit. From cross training, to “eats and treats”, more one on one meetings and even a game they could all play together to lift their spirits.

The Harvesters take their hats off to this determined couple and are confident they will achieve their goals and have a great season.