(Professional Landscape / Commercial Mowers)

CONVERTING TO PROPANE: A GROWTH STRATEGY FOR LANDSCAPE CONTRACTORS

A PROPANE CASE STUDY

PROPANE REDUCES COST, DIVERSIFIES REVENUE FOR OZARKS-BASED NURSERY AND LANDSCAPE COMPANY

W

hen Carson’s Nurseries, a 30-year-old lawn and landscape business with two retail locations in Springfield, Mo., added propane-fueled equipment to the business two years ago, owner J.J. Cybulski immediately noticed an impact. After converting the fleet of eight Hustler Super Z’s and Exmark commercial mowers to run on propane, Cybulski estimates the company has saved nearly $6,000 in fuel costs.

“Propane has definitely made a diff erence on our bottom line,” Cybulski says. “Our major expenses are insurance, labor, and fuel. We keep chopping insurance to stay competitive, and now we’re doing what we need to do on fuel by moving to propane. You’re just not going to get back the money you spend on fuel.”

Noticeable short-term savings in fuel costs

impressed management, but propane also transformed the company’s business model and day-to-day operations.

By improving efficiency, introducing new revenue sources, and decreasing spills and pilferage, propane has provided the business with an abundant, clean-burning, and cost-effective fuel source to streamline operations and increase profi ts.

COMPANY

Carson’s Nurseries Springfield, Mo. CHALLENGE & SOLUTION

Reduce costs and increase revenue by converting the company’s eight commercial mowers to propane and training staff on refueling and performing conversions.

RESULT

The company reports fuel savings of up to $6,000 in a single season in addition to increasing employees’ time spent on the job through easy on-site refueling and winning more jobs through more competitive bids.

CASE STU DY CARSON ’ S N U RSER IES MISSOU RI

IMPROVED EFFICIENCY By having a bulk tank installed on site at Carson’s Nurseries and training the mechanic and other staff members on refilling tanks, Cybulski says he’s saved an additional 20 to 30 cents per gallon on propane on top of the $1 to $1.50 savings over gasoline. Additionally, increased efficiency—from both the equipment and employees—has eliminated countless hours of downtime spent refueling.

“One of the biggest benefits we didn’t anticipate at first was keeping the guys out of the convenience stores,” Cybulski said.

“They’d have to go at least every other day to get gasoline and, even if they’re at the gas station 10 minutes, for six guys that’s an hour wasted.”

INCREASED SENSE OF SECURITY After two mowing seasons with propanefueled equipment under his belt, Cybulski

has reaped the benefits of a closed fuel system, particularly during peak season when many part-time, seasonal workers are on the job and attention is needed to reduce the potential for fuel theft.

“Before we made the change to propane, we had a lot of fuel sitting around,” Cybulski said. “With four or fi ve gallon jugs on three different trucks and employees that are only going to be around for two to three weeks at a time, it’s hard for us to keep track of fuel. Now that we’ve narrowed down the equipment on gasoline, it’s very controlled. If we get another big account and hire new guys, there’s an improved sense of security.”

NEW REVENUE SOURCES Switching to propane has helped Carson’s Nurseries sustain and grow business in the long term. Propane has opened up new revenue sources, as they now sell propane

tanks direct to consumers in addition to training their in-house mechanic to perform propane conversions on other commercial mowers in the area.

Community interest in propane-fueled equipment is evident. Staff responds daily to inquiries regarding propane tanks on the mowing equipment. Cybulski is confident Carson’s Nurseries can use these interactions to promote propane’s benefits and bring in new business.

“I think long term we’re going to see more companies using propane to compete on bids, especially from school systems where alternative fuel sources are a requirement,” Cybulski said. “For now, there’s a narrow field of people that can bid those projects, and with propane you have a better bid, can make more money, and potentially even charge more.”

“I think long term we’re going to see more companies using propane to compete on bids, especially from school systems where alternative fuel sources are a requirement.”

— J.J. Cybulski Owner, Carson’s Nurseries

FOR MORE INFORMATION

To learn more about propane-fueled lawn care equipment and the Propane Education & Research Council, visit poweredbypropane.org.

Propane Education & Research Council / 1140 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 1075 / Washington, DC 20036 P 202-452-8975 / F 202-452-9054 / propanecouncil.org

The Propane Education & Research Council was authorized by the U.S. Congress with the passage of Public Law 104-284, the Propane Education and Research Act (PERA), signed into law on October 11, 1996. The mission of the Propane Education & Research Council is to promote the safe, efficient use of odorized propane gas as a preferred energy source.

© 2013 by the Propane Education & Research Council 4697