If you want to see an example of how vision, commitment to customer satisfaction, and partnership with the right equipment supplier can build a solid business, look no further than Gaffke’s Gardens & Landscaping.
When fourteen-year-old Kahl Gaffke bought an old Victa mower from a newspaper ad and assembled a collection of old tools with handles made from tree branches, he didn’t envisage how the business would look today.
The enterprising young Kahl wanted to provide gardening services to people who would appreciate the quality of the work he performed. From the first day, business was brisk and rapid growth followed, until five years later, he registered the business. The formula was simple – perform reliable, professional quality work at a competitive price that would keep customers happy.
A commitment to staff training
Today Gaffke’s Gardens & Landscaping remains a close-knit family business run by Kahl and Stephenie Gaffke, focusing on delivering high-quality outcomes for customers, regardless of the size of the job.
“We recognise the value of good people in our business, and we invest in training apprentices while guiding them to adopt the same standards, principles and attention to customer care that have given us our strong growth,” Kahl says.
“Over the years, we have learned that well founded partnerships with equipment suppliers play a key role in building the business. Customers expect reliability and we need equipment and machines that won’t let us down and enable us to deliver quality results.
“During our visit to the National Diesel Dirt & Turf Expo at Penrith about four years ago, we met Stuart Marriott from Semco Equipment Sales who took the time to fully understand our needs. Right then, we made our first Semco purchase of a Takeuchi machine and have never looked back.
“Since our first Takeuchi investment, we have purchased a Takeuchi TL8 compact track loader, four TB215R 1.5-tonne machines, two more Takeuchi TB138FR 4-tonne excavators and a smaller TB210R 1.2-tonne machine which we needed for tight access work. A further fleet addition of six Yamaguchi WB06 site dumpers has added to our productivity.
Kahl says he’s been amazed at the rugged reliability of the Takeuchi machines, and that the team hasn’t experienced any mechanical issues or necessitated any warranty claims.
“All our 20 staff members have varying levels of experience, and all have found the Takeuchi machines remarkably simple to operate, making their task easy,” he says. “Novice operators find the intuitive controls on the Takeuchi machines are easy to learn, enabling quick skills development. Our younger team members are able to perform basic tasks with just three to four hours of basic training and within 10 hours they’re feeling confident to tackle tougher assignments.
“The breakout force and hydraulic flow on Takeuchi excavators are ideally suited to operating a range of attachments from our standard bucket through to hedge trimmers and augers. All our Takeuchi machines are really simple to use and are highly dependable and productive.”
Planning today for future growth
The next step for Gaffke’s Pty Ltd in the next 12 months is diversification through the introduction of an entire hire fleet based on the enormous success and reliability it has experienced by using Takeuchi and other equipment supplied by Semco. Further down the track in the next three to five years, a large garden centre is planned which will require the use of loaders.
Further growth plans include a ‘’one-stop shop’’ facility that will include a plant nursery, landscaping supplies, equipment hire, gardening equipment, as well as an elite digital design and consultation office.
Sound supplier partnerships are vital
“We have a clear vision of where the future lies with the aim of establishing Gaffke as a household name, and providing landscaping and gardening services throughout Victoria,” Kahl says. “Key to achieving this vision is partnering with Semco equipment brands such as Takeuchi.”
