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Trade Spotlight: Blue Cedar Landscape

April 10, 2020

Will Manda, the Vice President of our trusted landscaping company, Blue Cedar, sat down with Summit Homes to answer some questions.

Q: When was Blue Cedar Formed? 

A: We started Blue Cedar Landscape in 2018


Q: Why did you choose the name Blue Cedar? 

A: My wife and I have 5 boys so we thought “Blue“ was a good way to represent our family. Also, I am an Eagle Scout and active in Boy Scouts. I am in a honor camping program called Mic-O-Say where each member has a tribal name.  Cedar is in my tribal name and it reminds me to hold the same values from Scouting in our company. 


Q: What did the start-up look like? 

A: The uncertainty of not knowing what the future would look like was a bit scary, but we were blessed from the beginning. We talked to many people in different segments to get their involvement in setting things up successfully and we prayed about it a lot! One thing I have found is that you can’t do it all yourself. It’s ok to ask for help and I think people are really happy to give it.  

 

Q: What services do you offer/specialize in? 

A: Most aspects of outdoor landscaping including grading, irrigation, landscape installation and sod installation.


Q: What kind of growth have you experienced in the last 2 years? 

A: In 2018 we started with 5 employees and a dream which truly exceeded our expectations.  From 2018-2019 we tripled our sales volume and our forecast is looking strong for 2020.


Q: How many employees do you have across your departments? 

A: We currently have 48 employees.


Q; What are your different departments? 

A: Grading, irrigation, landscape installation, sod and we just started a concrete finishing crew.  We are doing a lot of development of amenity areas including pickleball courts and playgrounds.


Q: Where is your main office located? 

A: We currently have our shop in Belton and our business office in Raymore. This past year we purchased 40 acres on the east side of Raymore and will eventually move everything there.  We hope to start construction 5/1/2020.


Q: How man trucks/skid steers/crews do you have, what does your fleet consist of? 

A: Currently we have about 21 trucks and 3 skid steers.  With that we run:

  • 4 Landscape install crews
  • 2 Irrigation crews
  • 2 sod install crews
  • 1 finish grading crew
  • 1 box blade and sod prep crew
  • 1 mowing/maintenance crew
  • 1 concrete finishing crew
  • 1 special projects crew (hydro-seeding, drainage, etc.)
  • 2 irrigation service techs


Q: What inspired you to break out on your own? 

A: I was happy at my old company, but it reached the point where I just wanted more. I wanted to create something for our family and for our potential customers. I also realized that there was a huge need in the home building market that wasn’t being met. I felt like we could fulfill that need. There were opportunities in the commercial construction segment of the industry and after talking to other professionals, I realized that we were in a unique position to help customers across the board. 


Q: Can you tell us about the leadership at the company? 

A: We have a wonderful team: 

  • Susan Manda, President & Owner
  • Will Manda, Vice President
  • Nick Cello, Operations Manager
  • Ryan Allan, Production Manager
  • Hector Dean, Irrigation Service Manager 
  • Julie Brotherton, Executive Assistant


Q: Where would you like to take your company in the next 5 years? 

A: I see Blue Cedar continuing to grow our partnership with our customers by offering services that meet their ever changing needs.  I also envision a company that has grown with branch locations in neighboring states.


Q: How can interested parties get in touch with you? 

A: Our website iswww.bluecedarlandscape.com and our office number is 816-388-3343.

 

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