At Work... Parker Interior Plantscape
By Libby Barsky
Special to The Jewish State
Name: Parker Interior Plantscape, Parker Holiday, Parker 3D, and Parker Gardens
Type of business:
- Parker Interior Plantscape: Interior plantscaping; providing and maintaining commercial plant displays inside offices, casinos and hotels.
- Parker Holiday: Holiday displays inside offices, buildings, casinos, hotels, etc.
- Parker3D: High tech interactive and animated displays
Main Address: 1325 Terrill Road, Scotch Plains. Other locations in Philadelphia, Atlantic City, and Plainfield.
Telephone: (800) 526- 3672
(908) 322- 5552
Website: www. parkerplants.com
Number of employees: 200
Founded: 1948 by Len Parker; continued under sons
Top officials: Richard Parker, CEO Parker Interior Plantscape, and Steve Parker CEO of Parker Gardens
How would you describe your business?
"Parker Gardens is a family business started by my father, Len Parker, in 1948 after he returned from serving in Europe while in the Army during WWII," said Richard Parker, CEO of Parker Interior Plantscape.
"The business grew into a plantscaping and horticultural industry. After graduating from college in the 70s, my brother Steve and I continued growing the business, with my father putting Steve in charge of the wholesale and retail side of greenhouse operations and me in charge of interior plants, when interiorscaping was in its infancy. Now the business includes the third generation.
"Today we are a high-end commercial display business for companies who want to leave a lasting, 'quality' impression on employees and clients. As Parker Interior Plantscape, we provide and maintain a full range of commercial interior and exterior landscape displays selling, leasing, or renting live, preserved, or artificial trees, flowers, plants, containers, sculptures, and furniture for hotels, malls, casinos and offices in N.J., N.Y., Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Delaware."
What makes your business special?
"Our creativity, design, service, and quality. We have been called on to fix what other companies have not been able to do
"We will design with whatever horticultural and non-horticultural items will complement the client's space and budget. For instance, we have used 35,000 mums to create a 25 foot-high horse.
"Our company was the first to use large preserved plants commercially indoors and in creating huge handmade artificial trees for indoor use with natural bark and silk leaves.
"We have won every major award our industry offers including two National Landscape awards for excellence from the White House."
What goals do you have for the business?
"To continue to create displays that blow people away! We have over 300 letters of reference from extremely pleased clients."
How has your business changed?
"Parker used to be like our competitors in the battle for the cheapest price to close the sale. About 15 years ago, we changed the company from being another Chevy to being the Lexus of our industry. We sell an image that the client will not have to worry about, and that puts them in a different ballpark."
What was your most important deal?
"I cannot mention names, but our largest deal was $6 million 25 years ago. We currently have a holiday display project that is $1, 700,000."
What changes do you expect in your business in the next 10 years?
"Technology improvements in all aspects. I think clients will more clearly define their image, whether [it] be the Wal-Marts or the Neimen Marcus's. The competitors will have to choose what end of the business they will be doing."
What is the most important thing you've learned in your business?
"The company is only as good as the employees. We are very lucky to have the best, and many have stayed with us for 20 years. I've found that the most important thing was following Dad's philosophy: 'have the best and most talented people. Offer excellent customer service and honesty, competitive prices, a unique product that makes the customer stand out from the crowd, and to work hard and have fun doing it.'"
What advice would you give to someone considering your line of work?
"I would suggest working more on the operation and employees to establish a great company rather than just closing the sale. In our business, closing the sale is just the beginning. To be profitable, you must maintain the client forever. When the competition is doing a cheaper job, the client must understand the value you are bringing."
Is there anything else you would rather be doing?
"Workwise, no. Playwise, I love to travel on my scooter." 