June July 2018

19 colorad o nga.org LooseLeaf June/July 2018 Many other product categories follow the same basic program as containers. Here are some timelines to consider for other common business needs: • Nursery Cans: Order in June or July for the best pricing and terms of the year. You’ll often have the option of extended terms or early-pay discounts. • Poly Coverings: Order in May or June so the product arrives when the weather is optimal and labor is available. • Growing Media: The major suppliers traditionally have aggressive spring programs for users that order prior to October. Additional discounts are usually available for early delivery. These programs are typically released in July with strong spring terms, with an option for early-pay discounts and early-order discounts. Planning ahead for early-order programs is among the simplest ways to enhance profitability. Strong planning and record keeping will help any operation maintain or improve margins without any additional labor. Enlist your suppliers’ help to maximize the opportunities and it’ll soon become second nature. If you order multiple categories from the same supplier, including plant material, ask about additional incentives for doing so. “Container manufacturers are at their lowest production volumes from early June until mid-September. If you’ve planned well and can place your orders within this timeframe, the odds of errors and delays are drastically reduced.”