Author: bob marks

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Meet Dennis Lazicky, Committed to Success

Posted: by bob marks | Category: emi team

At emi landscape, we are always excited for highly skilled professionals to join our team. That’s why we are thrilled to introduce you to one of our newest members, Dennis Lazicky. 

Despite Dennis being a relatively new member of the team, he certainly doesn’t lack experience. Through his dedicated time in the green industry, he has a profound understanding of everything landscaping. With 38 years of knowledge, he is happy to tell you about his long and winding career path (that is if you have a few minutes to spare) from contributing to the success of large companies like Brightview and TruGreen to even running his own business, it’s safe to say Dennis is an invaluable asset to our team. 

His commitment to success doesn’t just stop there. While juggling his career and being a dedicated father and husband, Dennis graduated with his Management degree from Devry University. In addition to his education, he is also OSHA30 certified and holds his pesticide applicators license. 

Dennis now puts his rich background to use as an Operations Team Manager here at emi. He’s an early riser and one of the first people to get into the office every morning to dispatch the maintenance and detail crews. He is passionate about focusing on his team members and learning the business side of the company with Bob, which he thinks is a nice change of pace coming from his corporate background. While he considers himself an autumn-loving kind of guy, he looks forward to managing his territory this snow season. 

One thing we noticed right off the bat is that Dennis takes safety seriously. He is already focusing on providing an update to the safety program here at emi. He will assist in getting the company up to date with robust training procedures, and ensure that everybody is certified on the operating equipment. Although Dennis doesn’t mind some time spent behind the computer screen, he says, “I love being out in the field, being out on the properties, being with the crews, and providing hands-on training.” 

Dennis was born and raised in East Millstone New Jersey where he has always been known to lend a helping hand. He spent 22 years volunteering as a firefighter at the Millstone Valley Fire Department. He even helped assist the secret service in providing protection for a former US President who visited his hometown. What can’t he do?! 

While Dennis loves New Jersey, he happily relocated here to Pennsylvania in 2004 to enjoy the laid-back and relaxing atmosphere that this state has to offer. When he finally takes a break, he loves going to his vacation home on Peach Lake where he enjoys boating, fishing, and relaxing with his family. 

Despite the promise of change at emi, Dennis finds things to be familiar at the same time. He says, “When I started talking with Bob and Cindy, I felt very comfortable with them and the potential with the company. I’m looking forward to seeing where we can take this company in the near future and beyond.” 

Let’s celebrate our newest member, Dennis!

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Familiar Yet “Brand” New Company Logo!

Posted: by bob marks | Category: emi team

When you’re doing what you love, time flies without you knowing it. It’s hard to believe that emi landscape (back then known as Estate Maintenance Inc.) first started in 1983. Boy, have times changed!

We have grown exponentially, from basic residential lawn mowing to complete commercial/industrial turf maintenance programs that may also include snow removal services, street sweeping, and enhancements that add color and value to our client’s properties.  Along the way, we have grown amazing relationships with our clients ( some since the 1980s) and our vendors. Your faith and support are always so appreciated!!  Additionally, our “emi” family has expanded so much that one shop was not enough to house all of us! 

Still The Same Company

But even with all the growth and changes throughout our journey, one thing has stayed the same.  We do what we say we are going to do.  We have a razor-sharp focus on our 

five core values that we let guide our daily activities and decisions:

  • Fanatical attention to detail 
  • Grow yourself, grow your team 
  • Show efficiency with every step 
  • Build & maintain lasting relationships
  • Relentless commitment to getting the job done

We continually invest in and support our team members. For example, to enhance our winter services and promote safety during harsh snowy conditions, training through our professional snow management organization has been a top priority.  We are proud to share that we have 19 Advanced Snow Managers, as well as 2 Certified Snow Professionals. We also have 6 staff members with certificates of completion for the Fundamentals of Anti-Icing and Liquids.  We believe education with experience enables our team members to anticipate and create solutions for our clients. 

A Brand Refresh 

Change is constant and let’s be honest; what hasn’t changed in the past three years?  

At emi landscape, a major change occurred on January 1, 2021, as one generation stepped back for another one to move forward. And that’s what has fueled our decision to update the official emi brand. In the early ’90s the founder of emi, Ed Wigfield, knew a talented man who painted race cars to lend his creative insight in producing a new logo as emi landscape transitioned from residential properties to commercial properties. And he worked cheaply – his total compensation for the new logo was a six-pack of beer! Oh!  The good old days!

Over the past year and a half, Bob has had time to settle in as the new captain at the helm. He believes the time is right to give our brand a refresh, one that reflects where we’ve come from as well as where we’re going.

Unveiling Our New Logo

We are so excited to unveil our new logo and our new website as part of this ownership change. 

There are three trees in our new logo, which reflect the first generation that created the roots of our organization, our current generation which expanded the vision, and the future that holds endless possibilities, be it Bob’s two daughters or simply the new generation of workers to join our fold.

We believe this logo better reflects who we are, what we do, and where we dare dream to be. 

We hope you like our familiar, yet “brand” new company as much as we do! 2023 will be our 40th year in business.   We are so proud to call the Lehigh Valley our home!

We want to thank our clients, our team members, and our vendors who have contributed to the success of emi landscape.  We look forward to the next 40 years!

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How to Select the Best Snow Contractor: A Guide for Commercial Property Managers

Posted: by bob marks | Category: snow & ice

Most of us in the Landscaping industry know that you start preparing for winter well before the temperatures plummet. However, it can be easy to forget that the snow season is just around the corner when we’re still lounging poolside. 


If you own or manage a commercial property, you know that snow can be unpredictable and can cause potential damage and accidents if left unattended. It’s important to know what to look for in a snow provider so that you can get the most out of your snow removal services. Here are some key things to look for in a snow contractor to ensure your properties are safe and accessible this snow season. 

commercial snow removal


Services Provided


Securing a reliable snow contractor begins with finding out the services that are provided. We don’t need any more surprises during the snow season, so make sure to ask clarifying questions so that your unique contract specifies your property’s desired scope of work. 

Important details to ask your potential snow removal provider:

  • What preventive measures do you take before the snow season begins?
  • Can your equipment remove snow and ice from parking lots, driveways, entrances, and sidewalks? 
  • Do you haul snow off-site? 
  • Do you provide salt, brine, or other de-icing solutions? 

At emi Landscaping, our commercial snow plowing and ice control package includes snow plowing, snow hauling, ice control, sidewalk clearing, salt applications, and brine applications. 

Starting Services

We start preparing for the snow season as early as Spring. This allows us time to get to know our client’s specific needs and to provide any answers or solutions to questions that may pop up before the snow season. We provide site inspections and clean-ups in anticipation of the temperatures dropping so snow can go as smoothly as possible. 

In the fall, we will start transferring our equipment on-site to provide efficient and effective snow and ice management services. We also make sure that all of our properties are staked for safety before a single snowflake falls.

Turnaround Time


How soon will your contractor show up? Most professional snow and ice management contractors have on-call crews 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Additionally, it is important to clarify with your provider if there is a certain amount of snowfall that needs to be acquired before services are set in motion.

At emi Landscaping we understand the need for a dependable business and offer snow services 24 hours a day. Depending on the site specifics, we offer snow equipment to be brought on-site starting in fall to ensure snow and ice management is timely and effective. Our snow professionals regularly monitor the forecast to always stay a step ahead. 

Insurance & Safety


One of the most important, but often overlooked aspects of snow removal services are verifying the property’s insurance. Employees should receive regular training on safely operating snow equipment. Due to the snow and icy conditions, it’s important to verify that the company is properly insured in case of any accidents.

At emi Landscaping, we take snow removal and ice management seriously. We provide our professional crews with additional in-season training and are active members of SIMA (Snow & Ice Management Association). 

Equipment Used


Due to the unstable weather in winter, it’s important that the equipment being used is of high quality and is regularly checked to ensure reliable performance. This guarantees the safety and quality of the work provided. Higher quality equipment ensures higher quality service.

emi Landscaping is proud to provide top-of-the-line equipment for all of your snow and ice needs. We understand that it’s not a one size fits all approach and utilize different high-quality equipment to service the small or large areas on your property. 

One of our favorite pieces of equipment used at emi is the BOSS Snowrator. This is a multi-faceted machine that can be used for plowing snow AND spraying brine. In turn, the Snowrator assists in our crew’s ability to produce quick and worthwhile results.

Choose the Best Commercial Snow Removal Contractor in Pennsylvania 


We all know how tedious winter can be. Selecting a highly skilled contractor with reliable services can keep your property easily accessible during the extremes of winter. At emi Landscaping, we have been servicing commercial properties for 35 years and have snow professionals available to you 24/7.

Contact emi Landscaping today so that we can ensure a safe and productive winter for your business together! 

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emi Steps Up and Hits it Out of the Park 

Posted: by bob marks | Category: featured work

Most of the time, emi is involved with projects from very early on, but that wasn’t the case with a spring project we completed in Alburtis.

Unfortunately for the project manager, the original contractor for the plan went out of business over the winter.  Of course, the task still needed to be completed, and the general contractor on the project was seeking a company that could come in and successfully do two things: first repair some work that had been done correctly, and second properly finish the design. 

This was not a small job either, with a significant budget to properly complete. 

emi was selected to take the project over the finish line based on the general contractor’s previous knowledge and experience in working with us. We have an existing relationship with them as they have built many buildings for our maintenance clients and they often rely on us to improve those buildings post-construction.

The project had a reasonably large punch list and one that needed quite a bit of expertise.

There were many areas that had poor turf conditions or no turf at all. We either had to aerate and overseed or completely grade and seed certain areas. Many trees had died, some were the wrong variety, or others were not planted at all. Our team essentially had to replace and then install all new plants.

That inventory included several evergreens and five 6-inch caliper deciduous trees. With that large of a caliper, these trees were about 28 to 30 feet tall! Larger trees and a professional landscape design are a way to give the landscape of a new construction project some early polish as the planting settle in, establish themselves and start to grow. 

emi began work on the project in March and wrapped up work in May, just as the spring weather transitioned into the warmer summer months. It was perfect timing for a job well done, and for the new owners of the property. 

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