Aquascapes is a multi-million dollar organization that has seen an amazing rise in its fortunes over the last couple of years. They we’re featured in Inc.com in an article titled, “And there was happiness in Aqualand.” The article written August of this year describes the amazing perks that the people working at Aquascapes have. The article describes how employees came to owner Greg Wittstock and said, “we have no soccer field. When we play in the parking lot after work, our shins, they get scraped, and we cannot do our sweet moves.”
‘If I built you a soccer field, would that make you happy?’ the CEO asked.
‘Almost,’ answered the employees. ‘We could use a hot tub.’
‘I will see what I can do,’ the CEO said.
As he was walking away, the employees added, ‘Oh, and if we could have a place to nap in the afternoons, that would be great. Thanks!’”
Did I say they built everything the employees asked for, including the nap room? The Inc.com article continues with, “Oh, and they did some work too. The company grew to $56 million in annual sales.
And they all lived happily after.” (my italics)
Fast forward to today when I read at Open Register about owner Greg Wittstocks new blog. It would seem that just four months later all is not so well at Aquascapes. As a matter of fact things have gone downhill fast. They have recently laid off 17 employees and Greg has admitted that they are having a serious cash flow problem. If you read the blog check out the comments from some former employees. It must really hurt being the owner and having to read that stuff. Never the less that comes with the territory.
Let’s give Greg credit for starting his blog and laying out the problems for all to see. It is a bit weird that he started the blog one post before admitting all was not well at the company. Better late than never, perhaps.
Hines nurseries, one of the countries largest wholesale nurseries is having something of the same problem. They do not have a blog and as such folks have been finding my post of August detailing Hines de-listing on the stock exchange. The comments continue to trickle in. The problem for Hines is no one at the company is trying to get the organizations point of view out, so there is nowhere to get up to date
[…] to the Golden Gecko for the […]
Pingback by Pond Guy Blog — December 13, 2007 @ 6:10 am
[…] is Greg Wittstock owner of Aquascapes, the number one supplier of pond equipment. We talked about it here. Unfortunately Greg had to start, or started his blog because his company got into some financial […]
Pingback by The Blogging Nurseryman - The Art of Running a Small Garden Center or Nursery » Heronswood Voice — January 18, 2008 @ 11:38 am
[…] doing to much harm. We don’t have a lot of employees that will need to be laid off like Aquascapes. Monica and I do most of the work along with my daughter and one […]
Pingback by The Blogging Nurseryman - The Art of Running a Small Garden Center or Nursery » Keeping it small — January 20, 2008 @ 8:15 am
When things go sour it is often hard for one side of the employee vs employer to empathise with the others point of view. Pretty amazing that this Greg Wittstock would allow dialogue like that.
Comment by Correy — January 20, 2008 @ 4:49 pm
Just checking to see if this works before I write what I have to say.
Comment by Steve — February 12, 2008 @ 4:15 pm
It’s no secret that Aquascape, Inc. is fealing some financial woes. The business has been poorly managed. Honestly, what kind of work can really be accomplished by its employees who have been so spoiled by sleep rooms, gymnasiums, fine food, and who knows what else? These kind of indulgences will lead any group of employees to turn their heads to the growing problems arising right under their noses.
The company prided itself on selling the Aquascape system that was labeled to be an all natural effect that requires minimal maintenance and lowers one’s stress from a hard day’s work, when in fact pond owners spend hundreds and even thousands of dollars each year to treat their pond just so that it can stay healthy enough to keep koi alive and keep algae at bay. Just look at the vast list of water treatment products that Aquascapes has develop in the last several years, Aquaclear Extreme, dry, cold, S.A.B. Extreme, ick control, fungus control, and many more. Don’t forget the recommended once a year spring cleaning, and those expensive poor quality Aquascape, 1500, 3000, 4500, 7500, and 10,000 pumps that every contractor and customer has been complaining about for the last 3 years. They come with a 2 year warranty but you’ll end up replacing them 4 to 5 times within that period which means they only last about 5 to 8 months on average. Of course after all the disappointment, Aquascapes has finally decided to go totally Tsurumi and now due to their financial woes and lack of concern from their management who were too busy playing basketball and soccer at work it just may be too late.
The company is a sinking ship and distributors and contractors of Aquascapes need to find a lifeboat before they go under with it. All the warning signs and flags are there and there are already numerous other companies offering superior products at much lower costs. Aquascape prices are not even competitive in today’s market. My only word of advice is to jump ship now, go to a new product line, and save yourself the inevitable fate that awaits the failing Aquascape Incorporation. If you stay with Aquascapes you’re only going to learn the hard way.
Comment by Steve — February 12, 2008 @ 4:53 pm
[…] they day they we’re posted are about two on companies having problems with their business. Aquascapes is the largest supplier of pond related products in the U.S. Greg Wittstock, the CEO started a blog called Pondemonium in which he details his thinking on what […]
Pingback by The Blogging Nurseryman - The Art of Running a Small Garden Center or Nursery » Update on two horticultural (at onetime) powerhouses — February 13, 2008 @ 8:23 am