'Paving the way to the future through recycling' is company motto

By Noelle Rulseh, Herald Times Reporter

Name of business: Ecology Technology, Inc.
Ownership: Lee Meyer, and his son, Matt Meyer
When business started: 1994
Location: 2717 South 10th St., Manitowoc
Phone number: (920) 652-1037
Hours and days of operation: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday

Services provided-products sold: Ecology Technology, Inc. is a family owned business providing year-round grounds maintenance. During the peak winter season the business has up to 10 employees.

In the summer, the business offers a broad spectrum of services incuding lawn maintenance (cutting and trimming), irrigation services, fertilization, weed control, landscaping, light excavating and trucking, hardscaping (patios and stone walls), and parking lot sweeping.

In the winter, services include snow removal, ice control, shoveling snow off roofs, as well as selling, delivering and spreading salt. The business also hauls away large piles of snow in parking lots. Ecology Technology has a fleet of Bobcats, plows, loaders, backhoes and dump trucks.

"Paving the way to the future through recycling" is Ecology Technology's motto. The business recycles concrete into gravel and topsoil that is shredded and re-used.

The owners said Ecology Technology offers on-time, personalized service at affordable prices.

Future plans include searching for a location to add retail sales to the business.

How has business changed since opening? Ecology Technology started out with the maintenance of a few rental properties.

The owners said their business has grown considerably with large accounts including Manitowoc Crane, Northern Labs, United One CreditUnion, Pizza Huts, Applebees and Perkins restaurants.

Who are the customers and from where? The Meyers said their clients include stores, restaurants, factories, banks, sports fields, and apartment complexes throughout Manitowoc and Sheboygan counties, including Plymouth.

How is marketing done? The Meyers said the majority of their marketing is done through word of mouth from satisfied customers. People also notice the company logo on the side of their trucks.

What are the keys to future success? They said the key to future success is continuing to do quality work at an affordable price.

Factors under control or not under control of ownership? The Meyers said factors under their control include upgrading and maintenance of their equipment, and providing quality work for their customers.

Factors not under their control are the cost of materials and fuel, and the weather, which can slow down the work process.

What is the role of creativity or imagination in running the business or selling products and services? The Meyers said they can, with their clients, express a great deal of creativity in various landscape designs.

What is challenging? The Meyers said it can be a challenge hiring people that have the same vision of maintaining their high quality of workmanship. Keeping prices competitive also can be a challenge.

What is enjoyable? Matt Meyer said, "Seeing the look of satisfaction on a customer's face."

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