July 2019 Newsletter

TARIFFS AND LAWN IRRIGATION: — What could these two subjects possibly have in common?  Actually, they both probably affect one another more than we would suspect. The reason I even bring this subject to light is because of the recent price increases we have experienced in our industry. Many factors contribute to changes in pricing at various levels in the supply chain. Fuel and freight costs, raw material availability, the relative efficiency of supplier organizations, and the supply and demand equation are but a few which come to mind. Tariffs are a subtle factor, but an important one to consider when making business plans. The lag time between the imposing of a tariff and when it actually affects the price of goods is a huge variable. We at AQS are just now beginning to see the effects of tariffs levied on supplying nations of a few months ago. And when the tariffs are lifted I expect it will take even longer for the price trend to go back the other way. So, the situation demands vigilance and constant adjustments in order to stay competitive. But this is a good thing because we should always be vigilant and flexible anyway. But how does the irrigation business affect tariffs? One way is that we have a fair amount of control over what we sell. I once had a customer who was very patriotic and asked me to specify only American made components in the design for his sprinkler system. This was no small task for me. But we made it happen and it was a good system and the price of materials was still very competitive. Smart business people might just provide a “MADE IN THE USA” option for their customers and see what happens. It might prove to be the best thing since bread that gets sliced in the  USA.—– When our trading partners see the trend happening they might just negotiate from a little different angle than before. ——– Also, our general attitude concerning our leader’s attempts to level the playing field will go a long way toward influencing the rest of the world. I say “Support your local sheriff”, and our USA made products. Then there will be no reason for tariffs.
INSTALLER SHORTAGE: — It is getting harder and harder to find well-qualified contractors to refer to people who call into AQS wanting a sprinkler system installed. With just a little training we can get most who are interested to the point that they will be able to provide all the necessary ingredients that make what is called a sprinkler system. And those builders of sprinklers will have a new, interesting and fun source of income while building a business for the future. Call Darrell @ 816 461 7627 to discuss what is possible. REPAIR GUY SHORTAGE: — As with the installers, quality maintenance professionals in the sprinkler industry are becoming a rare breed. Unlike installing, repair people need a lot of experience to be effective and efficient at what they do. They need to have a good mechanical aptitude and an interest in solving puzzles. It is probably at least half troubleshooting and usually less than half actually fixing. The customers are willing to pay for what you know as well as what you do. At AQS we can help you with the knowledge part and be a good parts supplier for you. You still have to do the work, but it pays well if you ARE good !!!  Call me at the number above.
HOT AND DRY after COOL AND WET: — 2019 has sure been a weird weather year, so far. I fully expect to go into a scorching drought sometime before this year is over.Heat and drought are about the only type of weather that we have not had yet, so the pendulum is bound to swing that way soon. I only hope that all my readers have been taking advantage of this prolonged mild spring to be sure their sprinklers are in good shape and ready to work hard as soon as the weather changes. 
Grass that is used to cool moist conditions and then has to adapt suddenly to hot dry conditions is at higher risk than lawns that get to ease into the heat like in a “NORMAL” year. And, newly seeded or sodded lawns are more at risk than well-established lawns. It is about the root systems and their depth and strength. A lawn that was seeded this past April and watered regularly by either rain or a sprinkler system, or both are probably going to have a root system that goes down, then turns up because that is where the water is coming from every day. A lawn that has had less water probably has a deeper root system because the roots have had to go down to find water. The shallow-rooted lawn will possibly suffer sooner when the hot and dry times come. This is why you have a sprinkler system to ease your lawn from season to season when mother nature causes the seasons to change suddenly.
AQS PHONES AND PHONE WIRE: — If any of you have talked to AQS on the phone during this rainy spring weather you probably noticed the static on the line. It got really embarrassing at times and I even had to ask customers to  use my cell phone number sometimes so we could hear each other. My internet didn’t like it either. — I APOLOGIZE FOR THE STATIC YOU GOT FROM AQS.
Last week we found a white knight that was able to fix all that for us. His name is FRANK JENKINS of TEL TEC CORP. Frank made a quick and efficient new wire installation that brought our phone service up to date and probably made it better than ever. He can do the same for you at your business or home: and he can also do wiring work, controller mounting, locating wire routing and valve locations and all manner of low volt tasks pertaining to your sprinkler system or landscape lighting.Call Frank at 816-392-9862.
Happy sprinkling, Darrell AQS Jones  
TRY BUYING AMERICAN AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS!!