Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrew Blank.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have spent the better part of my career in various aspects within the landscaping industry.
My entry into the landscaping industry was a business that I started and named Lawn Angels. Lawn Angels started with one lawnmower.
I grew Lawn Angels into a full service commercial landscape and landscape construction company that included design, hardscape and snow plowing with a fleet of trucks and equipment in a few short years.
From there I realized the need that the industry had for a full service landscape supply yard which could save the trade time and money by offering all of the required landscaping and masonry materials, products, equipment, and service under one roof. Hence, Organic Mulch and Landscape Supply of New England was born.
Within a few years, I realized the need for local wholesale businesses to be able to acquire bagged landscaping materials at a reasonable cost and with a quick turnaround. It was often not practical to purchase the materials in bulk quantities. Since the weather has a tremendous impact on this industry, timely procurement of materials is critical to success. Hence, the packaging facility was born.
I set up and built a new state-of-the-art, fully automated manufacturing and bagging facility, with an extensive array of green industry products, powered by robots completing over 1200+ bags per hour. Blank Industries is the futuristic green industry manufacturer of Ice control, Landscape, and Masonry materials.
Blank Industries produces and bags all of its own year round landscape and ice control products. The products manufactured are high quality, locally sourced materials sold at extremely competitive pricing.
The landscaping industry has developed a greater need for locally manufactured, bagged products. With such an increase in demand, many organizations are looking to private label for a higher margin to add to their bottom line, and Blank Industries can provide that as well. With a quick set-up and turn-around time, we can manufacture for any retailer’s needs.
There simply is no one else that is producing as high quality and diverse of a product line. The fact that we’re local, drives the price of our products down and makes it realistic for dealers to have product in hand quicker than anyone else they could order from.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been a smooth road. Weather is a huge factor in our industry. You can control a lot of things, but not the weather and if it doesn’t snow, then you don’t sell ice melt, or salt, but you’ve got to keep staff and materials onboard. And a late spring or drought in the summer, affects the landscaping aspect of the business.
The economy is also a huge factor in the landscaping industry. People have to buy food and pay for heat, but when money is tight, landscaping becomes a luxury and it’s one of the first costs to be eliminated from the budget.
I am an entrepreneur through and through. I see a need and then figure out how to find a solution to fill the need. That takes a lot of drive. I have made a lot of mistakes, but the motivation and the commitment cause you to adjust so that you can get through all of it. The key is to learn from your mistakes.
Blank Industries – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
The company is a state-of-the-art ice control and landscaping material industry, packaging facility.
Like all entrepreneurs, I am involved in mostly every aspect of the business. After all, how can you improve a nascent business if you aren’t on the ground, seeing for yourself what’s doing well and what needs improvement?
We specialize in trying to bring better quality products to the market, at a lower cost. Since I am familiar with all aspects of the industry, I have a better perspective on how to do that. My focus is mainly strategic planning, production, sales, and improving processes. I have loyal employees to help me with the rest.
We listen to our customers. We forge long-lasting relationships with our customers and they show their appreciation with their loyalty. We offer only the highest quality products, at cost effective prices, and deliver them in the shortest timeframe.
I eat, sleep and dream my business. I’m proud of the businesses that I have built. I am known for being honorable, resourceful, hardworking and a creative businessman, and for improving how the landscaping industry offers products to its customers. I always put the customer first and my relationships have become my success.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Personally, success is having a wonderful family that I love. It is seeing my wife and children healthy and happy every day that I come home from work.
Success is also seeing my concepts and business plan come to fruition by achieving my goals. It’s fostering relationships with employees and customers.
Success is finding solutions to problems, and never settling for what I know could be improved. To always turning every roadblock into a potential opportunity.
Contact Info:
- Address: 17 Brent Drive
Hudson, MA 01749 - Website: http://blankind.com
- Phone: (855) 887 3123
- Email: info@blankind.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blankindustriesllc/
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