If you’re not currently producing colored mulch, now may be the time to start. Market forces, consumer preferences and advances in mulch coloring equipment have all combined to create new opportunities for commercial and residential colored mulch. Here’s a look at why pallet companies, sawmills and mulch producers should consider adding colored mulch to their product lines.

The mulch coloring equipment you use is critically important because it impacts so many different aspects of your business. From the quality of your colored mulch products to the use rates for colorant and water that affect your overall profitability, your machinery makes a difference. So, if you’re ready to upgrade your equipmentyou want to make sure you’re getting the right kind of machine for your needs. But how do you decide what makes the most sense for your business? Here are some things to consider to make sure you are getting the right mulch coloring equipment for your operation.

Anyone who produces colored mulch knows that coloring equipment represents a significant investment. So, making the call to upgrade to new machinery is never a decision made lightly. But sometimes your strategic goals, evolving priorities or the circumstances surrounding your operation necessitate a change. Still, it can be hard to tell when you’ve reached that inflection point and whether investing in new equipment is the right move. Here are some of the top signs that you are ready to upgrade your mulch coloring equipment.

Grinding is perhaps the single most important aspect of any mulch production business. After all, if you're not grinding fiber, how are you going to make mulch? To help you build the most profitable operation possible, here's everything you need to know about grinding wood fiber for mulch.

Mulch producers know how important it is to keep an accurate set of books. Like any small to mid-sized business, you need to keep a close eye on your expenses to ensure profitability. But one line item that is overlooked too often is your labor and loader cost. Often considered a sunk cost, understanding what you pay toward labor and loader operations can help shed light on an opportunity to improve efficiency in your mulch yard. Let’s take a closer look at how to accurately calculate your labor and loader costs, and how identifying these costs could help improve financial results for your business.

To maintain profitability as a mulch producer, you need to carefully track all expenses and keep your costs in check. Most producers have a good handle on fiber and transportation costs. But despite best efforts, there are some costs that often go overlooked by some mulch producers. Here's a look at some of the hidden costs associated with running a mulch yard as well as some tips for how to reduce them.

Turning a problem into an opportunity for growth

Woodscape of Utah started as a recycled pallet company and business was good. But they had a problem. The cost of bringing waste to the landfill wasn’t sustainable. They had to find a cost-saving alternative, and after attending several trade shows, they decided to give colored mulch a try. They purchased Amerimulch colorant and ColorTrom coloring equipment from ChromaScape, and it wasn’t long before the orders started rolling in.

Hesitation gives way to sustained
success for colored mulch producer

When Shawn Nutter bought Apollo Wood Products in 2014, he didn’t see much of a need for colored mulch products. But success would quickly change his mind.

The colored mulch market had been relatively slow to mature in southern California and there were already several competitors producing colored mulch in the area. As a result, Nutter didn’t even take the wrapper off his new ColorTrom machine for the first few months.

Landscaping may be a seasonal industry, but the mulch business operates on a more fluid calendar. Some mulch producers choose to shut down their coloring operations in the winter months, particularly in northern climates. Others forge ahead, coloring, bagging and shipping product all year long. In either case, when the weather turns cold, you need to take extra steps to protect your equipment or you could end up facing some costly repairs. To save money and keep your operation running smoothly, here are some tips on how to winterize your mulch coloring equipment.