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Brian Akehurst, CSP Akehurst Landscape Services, Inc. Joppa, MD

Akehurst dealt with record-smashing 90-inch snowfalls in eastern Maryland this year, nearly 60% more accumulations than average for the region! Through being a part of SIMA, and taking advantage of the networking over 10+ years of Symposiums, the company managed to remain a leader in the snow & ice industry throughout this historic snow season in the mid-Atlantic. Read more about Brian and Akehurst Landscape Services, Inc. here.

What is your role in the company? I am the President of Akehurst Landscape Services, Inc., and also serve as the Director of the Snow and Ice Management Department and the Director of the Grounds Maintenance Department.

How long have you been in business? Our business was established in 1876, and is currently owned and operated by the fifth generation of the Akehurst family. 

How many plowing events do you manage on average each year? Average winters usually consist of 5 plowable/salting events and 20-28” of snow.  This year all records were smashed; we received 90+ inches this year!

What is your mission statement or vision for your company? The key components of our mission statement are: Create, Honor, Respect, Inspire, Satisfy, Together (As a Team.)

What are 2 or 3 business-changing ideas you’ve learned at a symposium? I’ve learned how to increase efficiency through state of the art equipment and deicers, and have also benefitted from the sessions about contract verbiage that protects our company against slip and fall claims.

How many shows have you attended? So many that I’ve lost track!  10+ shows? I haven’t missed one since Portland, Maine in 2000.

What town was your favorite of those visited for SIMA shows? Portland

What is the funniest or most interesting thing that’s ever happened at a show? There is always something going on and fun to be had at a Symposium.  I always like to head out as a group, you never know what is going to happen.

Anything else you would like to comment on about SIMA or the Show? The networking is by far one of the best things about the Symposium.  The contacts you make become valuable resources that help your company grow to higher levels.

D.J. Vander Slik D.J.'s Lawn Service, Inc. Grand Rapids, MI

Background:
D.J. is a sales & account manager for D.J’s Lawn Service, Inc. Since August 2007, D.J.’s Lawn Service, Inc. is one of the many SIMA member companies that has grown snow & ice revenue and jumped to a new membership category. Due in part to knowledge gained at SIMA events, D.J.’s Lawn Service, Inc. has grown over 300% in snow & ice business in 3 years. D.J. Vander Slik, or D.J.’s Lawn Service, Inc., values the role that SIMA plays in his success. Here is a little more about him and his story.

How long have you been in business and what is your role?
I started mowing lawns when I was 12 years old. In 2001, I began plowing for D.J.’s. Now I am a sales & account manager, spending most of my time meeting with customers and working with operation to ensure that the service level stays as high as possible.
 
How many plowing events do you manage on average each year?
In Western Michigan / Grand Rapids area, we typically manage 25-35 plowing events each year.

What do you enjoy most about the snow & ice management industry?
I like the change of seasons / mindset from summer to winter, it’s awesome to see our pre-season plans come together and be executed each winter.  Snow has been a good source of revenue when some clients are cutting back on summer services.

What is your mission statement or vision for your company?
Our mission at D.J.’s Lawn Service is to provide superior grounds management through
• Customized services
• Top of the line products and equipment
• Dedicated team members & Continuous education

What are 2 or 3 business-changing ideas you’ve learned at a symposium?
At the trade show, we’ve gained new knowledge about updated equipment for increased production. We’ve also learned better methods for job costing and budgeting, in order to create an accurate pricing system that we are more confident in.
 
How many shows have you attended?
Four – twice in Louisville and twice in Buffalo
 
What town was your favorite of those visited for SIMA shows?
Louisville – having the show downtown creates a great atmosphere

What is the funniest or most interesting thing that’s ever happened at a show?
It would have to be spending an evening with the guys from North Country Snow & Ice Management, had a great time meeting and networking with contractors from all over the country.

Michael Merrill North Country Snow & Ice Management Glens Falls, New York

Background:
Michael Merrill is a snow professional who came to the business from an unrelated industry; restaurant management. Michael had been helping his friend Ben on the side with some residential snow removal work, and Ben got an opportunity to bid on an entire apartment complex. From there, Michael, Ben and another friend Scott formed a partnership and went out to bid on the complex. They didn't win the bid; but instead of giving up on it, they proceeded to sell in excess of $89,000 in snow work that season. After realizing they had a lot to learn, Michael attended his first Snow & Ice Symposium. Since that time, he, Scott and Ben have grown their company profitably and safely, establishing themselves as consistent, major players in their market generating significant revenue through their snow-only partnership. Michael answered some questions for SIMA recently:

How long have you been in business? This is our seventh season. We became North Country in October 2003.

How many plowing events do you manage on average each year? We normally have 50-60 days of service; this takes into account icing events as well. We normally push at trigger 30-36 times per season.

What is your mission statement or vision for your company? “Partners in Safety and Profitability” ™
 
What is one business-changing idea you’ve learned at a symposium? The information that we have taken away from the symposiums which have had the greatest impacted on our business were the tools to build and continuously develop our company model. We have safely grown more rapidly and sheltered ourselves in the down economy using these ideas.
 
How many shows have you attended? Six, Minneapolis was my first.
 
What town was your favorite of those visited for SIMA shows? I really enjoyed the Louisville shows (both of them). (Mike was rumored to have ridden an electric bull in a bar in Louisville, although this has not been officially confirmed).

What is the funniest or most interesting thing that’s ever happened at a SIMA show? Winning the Volunteer of the Year award in Hartford was definitely the most interesting year as it was totally unexpected and North Country had several team members in attendance. The funniest moment was a ‘networking’ session I was involved in, discussing who has plowed up a body during a storm. (Two companies in the room had confirmed bodies! - North Country wants to sponsor the ‘Weekend at Bernie’s’ award at the banquets.)