Community Corner

Rising Gas Prices Impact Business Decisions

Local businesses turn to strategic planning to cope with rising gas prices.

With gasoline prices holding steady at $3.99 a gallon in Massachusetts after weeks of increases, many consumers and business owners are still feeling the pinch.

Owners of landscaping, machine shops, boating rental and other fuel-dependent businesses are especially being hit hard with the rising cost of fuel.

Fuel-dependant companies purchase gas not only for their vehicles but as well as their equipment including lawn mowers, chain saws and weed whackers.

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With the landscaping season still new, local landscapers are saying that it's still too early to tell how gas prices will effect business.

"It is difficult to put a gauge on the effects of the gas prices on business [at this point]," said Jason Scott, President of Distinctive Landscaping, Inc. "[However] Gas and oil has increased from  4% - 6% of total revenue from 2007-2011."

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In order to prepare for the news of anticipated cost increases, Scott evaluates his driving routes and makes conscious decisions about how to minimize the driving time.

Along with planning out his driving routes, Scott said he "also implemented a percentage increase across the board to [their] existing client base before the start of the season to absorb any spikes in prices."

With technology advancing everyday, managing fuel costs has become easier than ever.

"Keeping up to date with equipment is another way we dodge increases," said Scott.  "New machines are more fuel efficient."


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