No. 30 - Rochester Top 100
About Lewis Tree Service: Lewis Tree Service Vegetation management services.
Rank on Top 100: 30
Top Executive: Mr. Richard Alt
Employees: 2,600
Website: www.lewistree.com
We asked Richard Alt, president, to talk about his business.
Question: Tell me briefly about Lewis Tree Service.
Alt: Lewis Tree Service, Inc. is a 100% employee owned vegetation management company headquartered in West Henrietta, NY. Currently over 1,100 of our 2,600 employees are shareholders through participation in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).
Question: What services do you provide?
Alt: Lewis is a leader in providing comprehensive vegetation management services for utilities and municipalities throughout the Eastern United States. We have earned a reputation for providing safe, cost-effective solutions tailored to meet the needs of our customers. Our focus on maximizing efficiency while not compromising safety and quality has made us the vendor of choice for many Eastern utility companies. Services that we provide to utilities include:
- Distribution Line Clearance
- Transmission Right-Of-Way Maintenance
- Substation Maintenance
- Herbicide Application
- Pipeline Right-Of-Way Maintenance
- Tree Growth Regulator Application
- Contract Personnel
- Consulting
Question: Who are some of your competitors?
Alt: Asplundh Tree Expert Company, Davey Tree Service, Nelson Tree Service
Question: What differentiates Lewis Tree Service from its competitors?
Alt:
- Knowing our most important asset is our people.
- The opportunity for employees to achieve ownership.
- Living up to our vision and values 100% of the time. We do not compromise on our values. Our key values include:
- Safety...We work safely in a manner that protects and promotes the well being of the individual and the environment
- People...We promote work environments based on ownership, teamwork, training, and leadership. We recognize and reward both group and individual achievement.
- Customer...We deliver outstanding customer service by meeting the expectations of our customers. We develop partnerships with customers who understand that value is a combination of service, quality and price.
- Integrity...We are open and honest in dealing with customers, co-workers, suppliers, and our communities.
- Profitability...We earn sustainable financial results that enable profitable growth and superior value.
Question: How has your company been able to grow to achieve its place on the Top 100?
Alt:
- Our people....people...people
- Uncompromising customer service
- A senior management team that is visionary, dedicated and people-oriented
Alt: We feel they are doing a good job.
Question: What would you like to see happen in our state?
Alt:
- Business incentives to stay and work in NY
- Lower business/property taxes and/or changes in the current school tax structure
Alt: In our industry we are considered a regional provider as we work in 13 eastern seaboard states. Our services are vital, and in many areas required worldwide. As we continue to invest in our people and equipment, the opportunities for gradual expansion into the Mid-West and into Canada will begin during the next two to five years. Our 22% annualized growth during the past five years has been unprecedented within our industry. Our growth this year will also exceed 22% and our 5 year projections for growth are in the 15-20% range. In our most recent customer survey completed in June of this year, LTS was rated world-class in over 85% of the measured responses.
Question: What are the biggest challenges you see ahead?
- Labor
- Immigration reform that works
- New York State tax structure