Jackie Yarbrough, Beck’s Sales and Logistics Coordinator, reports they have been using Turf Logistics for over five years in both their sod division and their nursery division, Te Wildlife Group.
Another way Beck’s Turf improves profits and streamlines day-to-day operations is through the implementation of Turf Logistics. Te Sales and Logistics Coordinator, Jackie Yarbrough, explained that they adopted this software platform five years ago based on Jimmy's recommendation. It is crucial in managing tree shipments from their nursery division, Te Wildlife Group. While UPS handles the shipping, Turf Logistics manages inventory and invoicing and streamlines the pick ticket system for dispatching trees. Te system also provides reports that are vital for invoicing and tracking sod sales.
“It’s a great database to keep up with our customers, storing all our phone numbers and managing our billing. It is our order database and then we sync it with our accounting software, QuickBooks,” she said.
Advice for Future Turfgrass Both Bassett brothers offer advice and suggestions for future turfgrass majors and enthusiasts. Wayne said, “Marry a good woman so she will support you in your endeavor of long hours and hard work. And make sure you have Jesus on your side.”
Both brothers attribute much of their success to the support of their wives, Catherine (Jimmy) and Sheila (Wayne), as well as the dedication of their employees.
Tey also suggest hiring good people. With minimal turnover since they took over, they have grown close with their staff and consider them like family. Tey explained that many of their employees, including H-2A workers, have been with them for many years. When an H-2A worker retires or cannot return to the farm for some other reason, they typically recruit their family members or someone they know to fill the position.
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Jimmy Bassett, shown here working in his office, reports they have turned down some large quantity jobs because they so value their long- term, repeat customers they always want to ensure they can supply their needs first.
Jimmy shared that working with landscapers who enjoy what they do makes their job more enjoyable. “We’re proud of our product and our grass, and we always appreciate the compliments they give. It helps them sell their next job by us doing a good job for our landscapers. We've got landscapers who have been working with us for 30 years. We look for repeat customers and sometimes turn down big jobs to make sure we can supply our weekly and monthly customers with sod.”
He remembers shortly after they got into the business when the 1996 Summer Olympics were hosted in Atlanta, Georgia. Tey turned down some large quantity jobs because they needed to supply their regular customers first. “So that’s what we’ve always tried to do.”
Wayne said any time they meet a customer who compliments the quality of sod they got from Beck’s Turf five, eight, or even ten years later, it is a very rewarding feeling.
Jimmy recalls receiving a call from a homeowner in Birmingham, AL, who needed some Emerald Zoysia to replace grass a utility company had torn up. Te original sod had been purchased from Beck’s Turf in the early 1950s. After sending a few pallets, the customer called back to say the new grass matched almost perfectly, nearly fifty years later. Jimmy said it was incredible to know the original plant stock was still performing the same decades later.
Beck’s Turf focuses on quality, efficiency, and education, ensuring it remains a leader in the turfgrass industry. To learn more about their products and services, visit
BecksTurf.com.
Cecilia Johnson is media and content manager for Sod Solutions. The original article was developed for the company’s Producers Update series and is posted on their website,
SodSolutions.com.
All photos are courtesy of Sod Solutions. TPI Turf News November/December 2024
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