Lee Smith, director of product strategy for Bobcat Co., chats with Green Industry Pros about the trends, challenges and more that he's seen around the industry.
Green Industry Pros: What trends have you noticed within the past year or so?
Smith: At Bobcat, we have seen a growing demand for machine versatility. Equipment that can be used for multiple applications is essential to an operator and business owner. This helps keep costs low while opening the door to additional project opportunities. Products that are multiuse or can be used year-round add great value to a landscaper’s machine fleet.
Green Industry Pros: What challenges are you hearing from landscape customers?
Smith: Landscape business owners are paying close attention to their bottom line and how it’s impacted by machine productivity and efficiency. Using their skid-steer loaders, compact track loaders, mini track loaders, small articulated loaders, tractors, UTVs, mowers and other equipment to their fullest potential is critical when it comes to return on investment and generating revenue. Customers are focused on utilizing machines that allow them to perform high-quality work quickly and with precision for maximum efficiency.
Green Industry Pros: How are they contending with those challenges?
Smith: Landscape customers are finding that attachments can improve their operations, enabling them to complete high-quality work more efficiently. By pairing the right attachments with their equipment, companies can significantly boost jobsite productivity, allowing operators to perform a wider range of tasks with a single machine. This versatility translates to increased efficiency and reduced operating costs. Additionally, different attachments also help equipment owners extend their operations from season to season. We see many customers using their loaders or tractors for landscaping in the warmer seasons, then leveraging snow management attachments in the winter to extend their working season. One machine, multiple attachments: it’s the solution to many of these challenges.
Green Industry Pros: What are your expectations for 2025?
Smith: In 2025, we anticipate customers to have similar priorities when it comes to productivity and growing their business. At Bobcat, we will continue to focus on developing and delivering machines that provide customers with the flexibility they need on their jobsites to do more for their clients in a way that is efficient and effective. Additionally, across the industry, we expect to see more alternative-power machines on the market. Demand for electric equipment will likely continue to grow as landscapers learn more about the technology, its benefits and how it can open the door to a new customer base.
