Heffner Landscaping – a premier, full-service landscaping company based in Southern Pines, N.C. – kicked off its aggressive growth strategy of expanding to 25 new locations in 10 years this past January. The company’s first new location came from acquiring an established landscaping business in Wilmington, N.C., after more than a year of planning and negotiations. Now past the seventh month mark in Wilmington, co-owner Forth Heffner said, “It’s going better than I even expected!”
The acquired company was attractive to Forth and his co-owner/brother, Colby Heffner, because of the type of work and clients it had already established in the area. “We are looking for companies that have a solid maintenance base,” Forth explained, “recurring work and revenue.” The owners of Heffner Landscaping want to maintain a balance of 80% recurring, contracted maintenance and 20% projects, with landscaping projects coming from existing customers with maintenance contracts. “In business you want to be able to plan,” said Forth. “I want to have a good expectation of revenue and business because it helps plan labor, materials and future growth.”
“Our expansion strategy is acquisition rather than starting from scratch,” said Forth. “Starting organically is riskier and more time-consuming.” With each acquisition, Forth and Colby aim to retain the current staff and train them as needed. “So far in Wilmington, we’ve had virtually no losses and the entire staff has transitioned well and stayed with the company,” said Forth.
The primary value-add Heffner Landscaping brings to its new staff and clientele in Wilmington is its account manager program. “Our account manager program is what enables us to offer an exceptional level of service and is what sets us apart from other landscaping companies,” explained Forth. “Account managers are not senior-level people wearing multiple hats, they only service the account. This gives them the ability to be proactive and focus on service, solutions and ideas.”
Heffner Landscaping is a second generation, family-owned business. To learn more about Heffner Landscaping, visit www.heffnerlandscaping.com.
