Delaware Landscape Construction relies on Mobil Delvac for its full-service landscaping business

"We rely on our vehicles and use Mobil Delvac to keep them running. We run our equipment nearly seven days a week, including snow plowing in the winter. If we are down a vehicle, that’s a lost customer. Mobil Delvac is our product of choice."
– Matthew Blakeman, president of Delaware Landscape Construction in Georgetown, Del.

Matthew Blakeman operates a full-service landscape business that offers everything from lawn care to outdoor lighting, fencing, masonry and concrete. Blakeman, who is also a police officer, operates three diesel pickup trucks, a skid-steer loader and a mini excavator. He and his business partner, Jaime Riddle, employ five fulltime workers. The married father of an 18-month-old daughter has a jam-packed schedule, but says he truly relaxes when he’s working outside. “Even a bad day landscaping is still a good day if you are doing what you love to do!”

Q: How did you get into the business?
Blakeman: My dad was an accountant and I grew up working in the yard with him on weekends. I started cutting grass when I was 12 years old and earned enough money to buy a bow and arrow. By 19 I was doing landscape work while attending college. I entered the police academy and became a police officer, but continued to do landscaping on the side. In 2001 I started the landscape business and run it alongside my law-enforcement career.

Q: What is your customer-service philosophy?
Blakeman: Customer satisfaction is my number-one priority. I give my customers individualized attention. They can call me anytime and I’m always available. I preach to my guys to do the job like you’d like it done at your own home. No matter what, the customer is always right. I pay attention to the big picture and to the details, and pass this attitude onto my workers.

Q: How important is Mobil Delvac to your business?
Blakeman: Because I’m a small-business owner, I can’t afford to have any equipment break down. We rely on our vehicles and use Mobil Delvac to keep them running. We run our equipment nearly seven days a week, including snow plowing in the winter. If we are down a vehicle, that’s a lost customer. Mobil Delvac is our product of choice.

Q: How do you “own your success?”
Blakeman: Because we do very little advertising, our business is built on customer loyalty. I strive to be the best I can be for the customer. I have a strong work ethic and am out in the field, getting my hands dirty. This isn’t just a job to me, this is my passion. I hold myself and my employees to the highest possible standard and that translates into a healthy, growing business.