Toyota Honors U.S. Lawns NE Mississippi Franchise Owner Mike Kirk As “Supplier Of The Year” At Their Recent Conference In Frisco, Texas
If you’ve been following us for any time at all, you’ve likely seen Mike Kirk, owner-operator of U.S. Lawns of NE Mississippi since 2004, share his expertise on a variety of important topics surrounding commercial landscape management; and, you may have also observed that over the years, Mike has been the recipient of all the highest accolades from U.S. Lawns, including an induction into the U.S. Lawns Hall of Fame, which is a status reserved only for our top performers.
So, between his expertise and lifelong commitment to excellence, it’s no surprise that Kirk recently received the honor of being named Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi, Inc.’s “Supplier of the Year” at Toyota SupplierCon 2024, which took place in Frisco, Texas.
The History Leading Up To The Accolades
To give you a bit of background on what led up to this notable recognition, it all started in 2007, when Toyota announced that they were going to build their fourteenth North American manufacturing plant in Blue Springs, Mississippi. In 2009, after going through an extensive vetting process, U.S. Lawns NE MS won the landscape maintenance contract for the Blue Springs facility, which covers over 1,500 acres and Toyota proudly refers to as their flagship eco-sustainable facility in North America.
The bond between U.S. Lawns and Toyota quickly flourished thanks in large part to our shared devotion to conservation efforts and protecting our environment. In fact, Toyota’s sustainability strategies are driven by their “Environmental Action Plan” which is a five-year roadmap for achieving incremental progress towards Toyota’s Environmental Challenge 2050. Its sustainability strategies are designed to minimize environmental impact and build a more sustainable future through:
- Increased focus on conserving water
- Protecting biodiversity
Finding Challenges, Solutions And Opportunities Together
Since these initiatives are a cornerstone of U.S. Lawns too, it’s an ideal partnership, and thanks to Kirk’s dedication to being a true business friend, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi, Inc. hasn’t issued a new RFP for landscape maintenance services since Mike and his team have been handling their landscaping services.
What’s more, together Kirk and Toyota have been meeting challenges head-on, finding solutions and creating opportunities for greater sustainability in the landscape–all while increasing revenue and improving communities and improving lives, which has always been U.S. Lawns’ ultimate mission.
The Real Power Of The Network
Now, while Mike will tell you his success is part of a collaborative effort, we can all agree that his humility is part of the reason he’s so worthy of this tribute. But it’s a very true sentiment, which really speaks to the incredible value a strong franchisor-franchisee relationship can bring to everyone involved, and this extends far beyond Mike Kirk and all other U.S. Lawns franchise owners, the U.S. Lawns Home Office and our parent company, Eversmith Brands; it also encompasses our customers, suppliers, partners, employees and their families, and even the citizens of our communities who all gain from working together.
Because when we’re all in close communication, supporting and celebrating each other and sharing knowledge and resources, we all excel. This is the epitome the Power of the Network, and Mike Kirk, we are so PROUD you’re representing our nationwide U.S. Lawns family. Congratulations on your well-earned award!