Vanden Bussche Realignment Strategy: Investing in People & Technology

 


Vanden Bussche Irrigation & Equipment Ltd. will be implementing a realignment strategy in order to enhance our ability to distribute world class Irrigation and Landscape products and solutions and to improve our ability to offer more value to our employees, customers and vendors. These strategic initiatives will redefine excellence in irrigation distribution and customer satisfaction.

The diversification into Turf Irrigation Distribution in 1984 following by the creation, growth and establishment of a successful Agricultural Irrigation Distribution business beginning in 1954 solidified Vanden Bussche Irrigation & Equipment Ltd. as a national leader in Irrigation Distribution offering a full range of irrigation solutions for the agricultural, commercial / industrial, residential and golf markets. Although there are many factors that contribute to over 60 years of successes, the cornerstone to ours has been the focus and dedication to our customer first approach. One thing that we as a company have learned in our tenure, is the only constant is change. Changes and innovations in business today happen at an increasingly rapid pace compared to previous decades. The ability to innovate and adapt to the demands of today’s world is paramount to remaining strong and progressing for the future. The Covid-19 pandemic proved to be yet another hurdle to overcome. This unprecedented, and historic event has re enforced our thinking and timeline, and I am excited to be moving forward with our strategic initiatives as we continually work to be the best version of Vanden Bussche Irrigation.

Objective and Overview of the Realignment

The main focus of this realignment is rooted in efficiency and operational excellence with the end goal of increased customer satisfaction. As all businesses face important decisions, Vanden Bussche Irrigation has made the decision to prioritize resources away from “bricks and mortar” in our Scarborough and Milton locations in order to invest in the development and enhancement of our Concord and Burlington locations.

Goals of Realignment:

Increased Operational Efficiency

By consolidating into three physical locations, the many facets of operations can be streamlined and better managed. Further enhanced customer sales support and an optimized inventory supply chain will all be driving forces in ensuring Vanden Bussche Irrigation delivers on the promise of excellence in order fulfillment and customer satisfaction.

The reduction in “bricks and mortar” overhead, will reallocate resources for investment in other emerging areas of the business adding even more value to our customers. Significant investments in an enhanced inventory management system, fleet/delivery management programs and an e-commerce platform in recent years are just a few of the specific investments made to help shape our vision of excellence going forward.
Our ability to provide service at an unmatched level will remain our top priority.

Increased Value Creation
With the optimization of our physical locations, and alignment of our employee resources, we expect to see significant cost savings. Vanden Bussche Irrigation must be profitable in order to help our partner customers be efficient, effective and profitable too. Our refocus will ensure this is always top of mind.

Future Outlook
It is always my intent to provide a sales and service experience that I would expect, and one that exceeds expectations. We have been working very hard to ensure that this transition is seamless.
Irrigation distribution has changed in many ways over the past 35 years, and we are proud of the fact that we have been serving many customers this long.

Some tentative dates for important milestones are itemized below:
Scarborough: Our first Turf Branch location, opened in the Spring of 1986 after the purchase of Grainger Irrigation, is now closed as of August 28th, 2020.

Milton: Our Second Turf location, which opened in the Fall of 1994 after the purchase of assets from the closure of Shemin Nursery, is slated for closure October 30th, 2020.

Our commitment to deliver on complete customer satisfaction and unmatched sales and service excellence has never been stronger. I believe what I have built over the past 35 years has led us to be a leader in the golf and landscape industry. I have worked with so many great people - some who are still with us, and others who are now enjoying life in retirement. The legacy will continue with my children within the company. With their help and insight, and the valued staff that joins us, we will continue to be a family run, Canadian proud company.

If you would like to discuss anything contained in this announcement please do not hesitate to reach out to myself.

Sincerely,
Marc Vanden Bussche
President

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