Growing Solutions Identifying limitations for customers which may be curbing sales, is a proven way to increase sales and build brand loyalty, and for one GreenStone customer a way to integrate a new concept into an old idea. Since the mid-1950s, Eckert Greenhouse in Sterling Heights, Michigan has supplied the neighbors and communities around the Detroit area with a wide variety of flowers and plants. Their local following and reputation for unique varieties has allowed the family-owned business to survive through the many economic cycles of the past decades. So when sales of hanging baskets to municipalities began to dwindle, Karl Eckert reached out to his customers to ask why. The answer: it required too much labor to water the plants every day. Karl and his team at the greenhouse provide the plants and planters lining the streets of many towns across Michigan.
“ ➡K arl Eckert discovered the solution to reduction in sales – create a container that extends the watering cycle.
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Spring 2019 — Partners
Convinced he could find a solution to the watering problem, he began designing a system to prolong the need for watering. Reaching out to tier-one automotive suppliers in his area, Karl designed a two-part hanging basket with a liner equipped with a wick system pulling up water from a reservoir in the pot, allowing the plants to survive 3 to 4 days between watering. “At the time, the governor was encouraging automotive manufacturers to diversify their businesses so they were willing to work with me on my design,” Karl says. At the concept stage, Karl reached out to his GreenStone loan officer, Tracy Jelinek, to inquire about additional financing to start the project. A long-time GreenStone customer, Karl knew GreenStone had the understanding and commitment to agriculture he needed in a financial partner.
GreenStone helped us get the inventory for the baskets started and launch the new product...Their willingness to work with me made it all possible.
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