Cherrylake’s growth is largely attributed to the company’s strategic focus on growing and diversifying its operations. At its very origin, the company was born out of the need to diversify, when its sister citrus company experienced devastating freezes and was left with bare land in central Florida. That was 1985, when Cherrylake began to grow containerized ornamental trees in Groveland, Florida. By 2005, the company diversified with the addition of a Landscape Construction group working on high profile jobs throughout Central Florida. Ten years later, the company diversified even further with the addition of Landscape Maintenance. Cherrylake’s President, Timothee Salin, says, “Maintenance diversifies our risk because it’s somewhat recession proof. Ornamental trees and construction are tied to the housing market, so if there was ever a slowdown in the housing market, it would affect those two businesses; whereas with maintenance, the grass keeps growing no matter what.”
As a fully integrated landscape company, Cherrylake experienced over 30% growth from 2017 to 2018, forcing the company to look even deeper into operations and how it could become leaner while tackling challenges such as labor shortages within the industry.
“You can improve what you can measure,” shares Timothee, “and in order to measure, you have to have clear goals. You have to have a good sense of what your vision is, what your purpose is, what your strategy is, so you can identify the most important things to measure.” By analyzing such items, it helped Cherrylake realize new practices that could be implemented to improve processes like including hybrid crews and putting into effect 10-hour work days four days a week for our maintenance crews.
However, to be able to experience such growth so quickly, you have to have strong foundations in place. Over the years, Cherrylake has created a strong workplace, culture and brand within the community. Not only do they put a big focus on recruiting top talent, but they also support and invest in current employees through continuing education, leadership training, and wellness initiatives.
Interested in joining the Cherrylake team? Check out some of their open positions in administration, construction and landscape maintenance at cherrylake.com/careers.
