Theft Deterrent Strategies for Lawn Care Professionals
Today’s featured recommendation for lawn care, landscaping and tree service professionals is a great article in the current issue of NALP Magazine regarding equipment theft and prevention strategies.
Vigilance Is Key
As you navigate the complexities of running a successful lawn care or tree service business, it’s crucial to be vigilant about protecting your assets.
The rise in lawn care equipment thefts nationwide can be a major setback in terms of both monetary loss and the opportunity cost of lost jobs while you search for, finance and acquire new equipment.
But with the right strategies place and clear communication with your team members, you can safeguard the many moving parts that keep your lawn care and/or tree service business running without skipping a beat.
Toward that end, Jill Odom has written an excellent article in the current issue of The Edge, the official magazine of the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP),
Equipment Theft Happens All Too Frequently
The core theme of the NALP article highlights the significant investment lawn care and tree service pros make in their fleet and equipment and highlights the adverse impact that thefts have on operational capacity.
Odom shares an example from Teddy Russell, CEO of Russell Landscape Group in Georgia. Russell tells NALP that he experienced 27 thefts of lawn care equipment in 2022 and 16 in 2023. The simple fact is such incidents can happen frequently and have a substantial effect on business operations and your bottom line.
The anecdote shows that even the largest and most successful companies in the industry encounter theft on a regular basis. Sugar Hill-based Russell has expanded to 8 offices with over 400 employees across the Southeast.
Less Moveable, More Traceable
Lawn care equipment thefts tend to target smaller, easily movable equipment due to their high value and ease of theft, Odom says.
Small equipment, including catalytic converters, mowers (riding or garden tractors), and skid steers, are the most targeted by thieves due to their ease of theft and high value.
Making your smaller equipment “less movable” or “more traceable” is the key. Simple steps like locking lawn care equipment, storing valuable items securely overnight, and utilizing tracking technologies can make a substantial difference. GPS tracking and equipment tagging makes for easier tracking of makes, models and serial numbers.
In addition, incorporating advanced deterrents such as surveillance systems and electric fences, alongside implementing a robust tracking system for all equipment including make, model and serial number, can significantly enhance your ability to prevent theft and recover stolen lawn care items.
Being Proactive & Adopting A Security Mindset
The article concludes with a reminder that, in addition to the “less moveable, more traceable” playbook, taking proactive measures and promoting a security mindset can go a long toward deterring equipment theft.
Recovering stolen equipment can be challenging, but by maintaining accurate records and utilizing asset tracking software, you can increase the chances of recovery after lawn care equipment theft occurs.
It’s also a good idea to foster a security mindset within all members of your lawn care team.
Providing training and clear documentation of theft prevention procedures shows your commitment to safeguarding the assets of your lawn care business which, in turn, keeps your employees working and their paychecks coming.
Reminding team members of this simple equation (equipment theft = more downtime and less profit), can help them begin to prioritize security as much as the boss.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the theft of equipment poses a significant risk to the operational capacity and financial health of your lawn care business, so a comprehensive approach to deter theft and facilitate recovery of stolen items is essential.
As advisors who have guided countless lawn care and tree service professionals, we encourage you to take these insights and strategies to heart. Protecting your equipment is not just about securing assets; it’s about ensuring the longevity and prosperity of the business you’ve worked so hard to build.
Would you like to learn more? Consider reaching out to a CII advisor to explore tailored strategies that can get your business to the next level. Working together, we can chart a course for success that will maximize the value of your lawn care or tree service business.