Running Their Business By The Numbers

Written By: Brian Hoover

Pierre Sprinkler & Landscape produces quality landscape construction and maintenance to educational
facilities, government, businesses, as well as to retail, resort and amusement organizations throughout Southern California. Specializing in K-12 schools and public works projects, the company prides themselves on building a positive client relationship, while creating a seamless collaboration with them throughout the entire construction process. Pierre Sprinkler & Landscape has the capability and experience to take on both small and large-scale projects from design assistance to construction, thru maintenance.

Pierre Sprinkler & Landscape's roots go back to Michigan, where owner Harold Young grew up. At the age of 18, Harold decided to make the move to the sunny land of opportunity to continue the company. California agreed with Harold and he found that he fit right into his new atmosphere.

In the early 90's, Pierre added a landscape division dedicated to planting and maintaining their installations with water and cost saving irrigation techniques. By 1997, the company began taking on commercial projects with the LA Unified School District. The learning curve that came with taking on this new niche meant that the company would suffer in the area of profit, but more than make up for it with the invaluable insight and potential opportunities that would soon become available. After a few short years, Pierre Sprinkler & Landscape became extremely efficient in their new commercial division and decided the time was right to take on larger scale commercial school projects. In early 2000, Harold Young began looking for ways to profitably expand his operations throughout Southern California. Joe Lowden, an extremely enthusiastic young man who was representing the Rain Bird Company was calling on Harold at this time. Joe and Harold established a good relationship and when Harold found out that Joe had procured his contractors license and was about to enter into the landscape business, he asked him to consider working for him.

Joe Lowden joined Pierre Sprinkler & Landscape in 2004 and today serves as the company President. Joe was born and raised in Syracuse, New York and moved to California in the early 80's. He earned his bachelor's degree in Marketing Management and International Business at Cal Poly Pomona, while also finding time to play for the school's basketball team. After working seven years for Pepsi-Cola, he made his move into the landscape industry as a Sales Manager for Rain Bird, where he quickly rose to the rank of District Manager. It was at this time that Harold convinced him to take the reigns of Pierre Sprinkler & Landscape and do whatever he could to maximize the company's profits. Under Joe's leadership, the company grew in sales, but the real story is the company's expansion in the area of profits. Joe Lowden explains, "In 2004, we were a medium sized mom and pop operation with plenty of work, but we were just not that profitable. Harold Young is an amazing entrepreneur, whose personal and business accomplishments are something that I truly aspire to emulate. My expertise is on the marketing and business side of things."

In 2005, Harold and Joe agreed they were in need of additional guidance and the decison was made to bring in MAP Consulting Services. "MAP stepped in and taught us how to maximize our management's effectiveness, as well as the personal performance of each and every employee. We went from a company who lacked strict structure and personal accountability to a corporation that now runs its operations by the numbers, with consistent profits and an extremely stable future. It is our intention to foster a great working environment, one that our employees are excited and proud to be part of."

Today, Pierre Sprinkler & Landscape is a professional, dedicated and trustworthy company that was recently recognized as the 2007 and 2009 MAP Presidential Award Winner, a prestigious honor granted annually to select companies who " execute solid business fundamentals and empower leadership and passion through accountability.

Accountability and profitability are important, as are the equipment and tools a company uses to get the job done safely and efficiently out in the field. Pierre Sprinkler & Landscape turns to John Deere and Coastline Equipment Co. for many of their construction equipment needs. Included in their fleet are (4) John Deere Compact Excavators and one John Deere skid steer loader. Joe Lowden    comments,    " The    compact excavator has become a much more versatile, user friendly machine for our type of work. Although we still own and operate ride-on trenchers, the compact excavator has enabled us to increase our overall productivity dramatically. We can dig holes, trench mainline, load trucks and backfill, all with one machine and that saves time, which as we all know is money. In addition, it keeps our people out of the ditches and minimizes our employees use of shovels, which allows them to work smarter and more importantly, safer. We chose John Deere, because they simply presented the best overall value for our money. We also know we will get the service and support we need from Coastline Equipment and the reliability that comes with a name like John Deere."

What started out as a small sprinkler installation and maintenance business back in 1988, that primarily served the Beverly Hills and West LA area, is today one of Southern California's most successful landscape construction companies. 14-year veteran Rigo Sanchez, who is the company's Construction Manager, oversees all outside operations. Sanchez worked his way up through the ranks, serving as a laborer, then the service department, estimating, sales and then ultimately project management. Brian Butler is the company's Project Manager and has been with Pierre for almost three years now. Brian brought 16 years of industry experience with him and a landscape degree from South Dakota State University. His client-focused perspective and attention to detail are invaluable to the company's success. Tony Ponce has been an integral part of the estimating team for seven years now. These are just a few of the quality individuals that make up the overall winning team at Pierre Sprinkler & Landscape. In the commercial division alone there are 21 office employees and 85 working out in the field. Pierre Sprinkler & Landscape serves the Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino, Orange, and San Diego counties. They are an LAUSD preferred subcontractor and have C-27 and A licenses, with headquarters in Monrovia, California. For more information on Pierre Sprinkler & Landscape, please visit them online at www.pierresprinkler.com or call 626-239-3927.

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