LM150 double-digit growth spurt

58 LM150 companies grew 10 percent or more in 2012. Here they are and how six of them continue to grow.

How The Grounds Guys does it: At a growth rate of 260 percent from 2011 to 2012, managing growth is a challenge for The Grounds Guys, which began franchising in the U.S. in 2010 and topped the 100-franchisee mark in 2012. The company plans to continue growing by increasing sales training, staffing up, and continuing communications with the franchise’s advisory council members and franchisees at large.

How LegacyScapes does it: Part of Cherry Lake Tree Farm, a diversified agri-business, LegacyScapes has continued to invest in its team and assets. Challenges include the costs and shortage of plant material and difficulty finding laborers. The company mitigates its plant market challenges by educating clients on plant supply pendulum shifts and partnering with suppliers to schedule and plan plant material needs in advance. To combat labor challenges, it shares resources with its sister companies and has begun using the H-2B guest-worker program.

How The LaurelRock Co. does it: In its solid 2012, The LaurelRock Co. added an up-and-coming service line—green walls and green roofs—by partnering with a manufacturer and becoming certified. To gain efficiencies, the company also purchased equipment: a mulch blower and switch-and-go truck, and rewarded employees through a profit-sharing program. With the success of these initiatives, the company plans for continued growth in 2013.

How NJ Best Lawns Sprinklers & Fencing does it: Expanding commercial construction and erosion control services has been a boon for NJ Best Lawns Sprinklers & Fencing. The company hopes future profit improvements will come from its efforts to cross train employees and the addition of a full-time accountant to facilitate the accounts receivable process.

How The Greenery does it: A quality inspection program has helped pave the way for happier customers and continued growth for The Greenery. Supervisors and managers inspect one another’s accounts and report results that are shared and discussed with each account’s branch manager and supervisor.

How Native Land Design does it: To combat increasing fuel costs, Native Land Design is targeting new work strategically around existing clients to build route density and decrease drive time between sites. The company also is purchasing propane-powered and other fuel-efficient equipment.