Name it cut. Fort Worth entrepreneurs David Minor and Rick Onstott, who teamed up before the sale of two nationally recognized commercial landscape companies, have founded a third business with all battery-operated mowers, blower and trimmers.
The company, named The more environmentally friendlyHas already caught some impressive customers, including the Amon Carter Museum of American Art. Minor, 66, the green layer sees as a legacy and the opportunity to steer the industry in the direction of a cleaner future. Minor said he did not particularly know that landscape companies were suitable in air pollution during the former companies, but began to investigate after applying the possibility of a third company during breakfast with his sister, an avocational environmentalist.
“She said,” Are you sure you want to do that? “, Said Minor during an interview with Onstott in her headquarters, a minor in North Fort Worth, who has had for 27 years.
Minor is certainly a familiar player on the local and national entrepreneurial stage, after founding the landscape services of Minor and the landscape partners, recognized the list of the fastest growing US companies and finally sold a company to PLUNDH, a national company, a few years ago. Minor is also the founding director of the Neeley Entrepreneurship Center at the MJ Neeley School of Business on the TCU.
Minor waited a non -agreement before starting the greener well. The 49 -year -old onstott worked for ABLUNDH after the sale. The two cited industry research that show that their electrical blower work on the one hand at around 65 decibels, much quieter than the 95-100 decibels of traditional gas-powered machines. Traditional gas -powered blower give as much carbon as a car that drives 300 miles, minor and onstott Note in an hour.
The landscape companies previously operated by Minor and Onstott led hundreds of parts of gasoline drive, they said.
“You can imagine how carbon production that we put into the environment,” said Minor.
The early feedback from customers included a nod from a Southlake Hotel that was sensitive to the operation of the landscape equipment near the pool, he said. “The pool guests have recognized how calm our equipment is,” said Onstott.
The quieter equipment also means a lower risk of hearing loss for employees, they said.
“We offer our employees a safe place,” she said.
Onstott said he was a skeptic when Minor turned him to him because of the green idea and asked questions about the battery life in daily operation, the durability of machines and the costs for buying.
“Honestly, it is very expensive,” said Onstott.
After traveling to Kansas City, he faded his concerns to look at a company there.
“To my surprise, it was rightly commercial,” said Onstott.
Minor and Onstott have carried out an analysis in which the operating costs of electrical devices were compared with gas -powered machines over five years. While the costs for the purchase of suitable commercial equipment are much higher, the projected maintenance costs are much lower and the cost of gasoline disappears.
“In the past, three mechanics worked without interruption, not to mention all parts (replacement and repair) and the oil change,” said Minor. With the new company “you don't have none.”
The Stihl riding mowers also have on -board technologies with which the operators can regulate the amount of electricity they use in certain situations and potentially reduce battery drain without onstott. The mowers can work with a fee eight hours a day, they said. The hand machines can be operated for about 45 minutes in a load. The crews bring a number of batteries to a job. Instead of a petrol refill, “only change the battery,” said Minor.
Conclusion for potential customers: Minor and Onstott said their pricing does not differ from what they would calculate if they still operate a company with gas -powered devices.
“We do not ask customers to pay a bonus,” said Onstott. “We are very competitive.”
“We don't calculate more than in our former company,” said Minor.
The two announced the foundation of the company last autumn and have slowly built it since then. Today the company has six employees and several customers in the contract, they said. They had 150 employees when they sold their last business.
“The sales cycle in our industry is long because everyone has a contract,” said Minor.
Minor and Onstott also renew relationships after they are more in the industry for several years.
And “some people are more for sustainability than others,” said Minor. This has not always been charged with prospects, but “the calm well with everyone”.
Her efforts: “We want to expand the business and scale business,” said Minor. “It is really to inspire the industry to go in this direction. I consider it a legacy for both of us.”
Scott Nishimura is the leading editor of the document area program in Fort Worth Report. Reach him scott.nishimura@fortwortheport.org. In the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made regardless of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy Here.
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