Join Us at Our Customer-Appreciation Cookouts
 Please join us as we say "Thank You for your Business" at our May Customer Cookouts at your CPS branch.
Come by for a "FREE LUNCH" and take advantage of "ONE DAY SPECIALS" as you visit with our sponsors, industry leaders and CPS staff.
Here is the May schedule:
Glenwood Springs Thursday, May 5th (Cinco de Mayo Celebration) 4:00pm to 7:00pm
Aurora Thursday, May 12th 11:00am to 1:00pm
Englewood Thursday, May 19th 11:00am to 1:00pm
Colorado Springs Tuesday, May 24th 11:00am to 1:00pm
Lakewood Thursday, May 26th 11:00am to 1:00pm
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Turf Tip of the Month: Weed Control
by Rob Garcia of Winfield
 In an effort to help increase everyone's herbicide performance as start May, here are some key points with pre-emergent herbicides: First, it is never too late to apply pre-emergent at this time of the year. Weed types germinate at different times of the year so a pre-emergent application that is effective on one variety weed could be ineffective on another due to the amount of time that has passed since the product was applied. Second, the rate of control is based on the amount applied. The label will have different rates and the length of control that should be expected. It should also be noted that all pre-emergents should be watered in as soon as possible after the application to maximize the control. Finally, pre-emergents are not sterilants and if we have some existing weeds an application of a post-emergent will need to be applied to clean up any existing weeds. If you have more questions about pre-emergent products, feel free to ask your local CPS representative.
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 The Importance of Up-Selling
Every salesperson knows the importance of up-selling; helping the customers decide to buy an extra service or an up-grade that adds to the total purchase. Why do many skip this critical step?
Often it's easier to sell what's common rather than explaining a better solution. Taking orders for the regular stuff is easy, risk-free and reinforces an incorrect assumption that all customers buy solely based on price.
Up-selling isn't easy. Done incorrectly, it can damage credibility and offend customers with high-pressure tactics. But failing to up-sell can be even more damaging. It leaves money on the table and provides opportunities for competitors to steal your customers by dazzling them with new ideas. Here's why you should pay special attention to up-selling:
Up-selling is a wise use of time. For example, if it takes a salesperson an extra 15 minutes to sell a $250 upgrade that costs the company $100, he's just earned the equivalent of $600/hour for the time invested. Up-selling almost always delivers a huge return on investment.
Be a confident, but not pushy, salesperson. Up-selling fails when it is done half-heartedly (no enthusiasm) or when done purely on hype (no data or proof). Introduce the up-sell with positive customer-oriented statements like "you'll see an immediate impact to ____ if you change to this _____" and then back up assertions with concrete examples and data.
Appeal to aspirations. Think about the buyer's big-picture goals. Some want to stand out among their peers and others want solutions that are "green". A good up-sell presentation moves beyond just reciting a list of features and ties the up-sell to the customer's personal motivations. Up-sell products exist because they appeal to those who seek a better way to do the same thing. Know which of your customers are looking for that better way.
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| CPS joins ALCC & Irrigation Association in Smart Irrigation Show-and-Tell at the State Capital
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There Are 8 Hidden Features in the Pro-C
Do You Know Them All?
 There are 8 hidden features in the Hunter Pro-C that provide maximum flexibility to cater to your programming needs.
These include: Programmable Sensor Override, Delay Between Stations, Program Customization, Easy Retrieve™ Program Memory, Solar Sync® Delay, Cycle and Soak, Quick Check™, and Outdoor Landscape Lighting Programs.
All of these great hidden features make the Pro-C the professional's choice for residential and light commercial systems. Discover them all here.
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NDS Makes Drainage Easier with EZFlow
 Want to expand your drainage offering?
We recommend installing more drainage using EZ Flow Gravel Free French Drain System from NDS. It is proven to cut labor costs by 50% OR MORE.
The revolutionary EZ Flow gravel free french drain system from NDS is used in place of traditional gravel, pipe and trench liner combination for a variety of drainage applications.
Go to the NDS website to see case studies of EZ Flow installations, read technical data, check out a video and see common applications for the product. Be sure to contact us about the NDS free product trial and get started saving money today!
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Protect Controllers with Proper Grounding Procedures
Always install and verify correct grounding equipment
 Protecting expensive irrigation control systems is an essential step for a quality installation. The thousands of feet of wiring in the typical commercial installation acts as an attractive target for lightning strikes. The more stations on a controller, the more important the number and placement of ground rods and ground plates becomes for an installation.
Good grounding begins with use of Regency Wire's UL-listed ground rods, 5/8" diameter and 8 foot length. These are driven in the ground no further than 10 feet from the controller locations and connected to the controller's grounding lug with a bare copper wire. A Cadweld connector is used to link the ground rod to the 6 AWG copper wire. The wire is never soldered to the rod. Rather, an exothermic weld is created with a Regency Cadweld kit. A Cadweld igniter must be utilized to properly install the kit.
Regency copper ground plates are often added into many installations. It is essential that the plates be surrounded by appropriate earth contact materials that are both non-corrosive and that aid in the conductivity of current from the plate into the soil. We recommend Regency GEM (Ground Enhancing Material).
 The earth-to-ground resistance of grounding circuits are typically measured using a Megger®, or other similar instrument, with a desired maximum reading of no more than 10 ohms within the circuit. Many commercial irrigation specifications require ground testing of new installations to verify proper readings.
For more information on grounding and meeting requirements of project specifications, contact us.
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How to Repair a Leaking RPA Backflow Device
Our Branch Coordinator, Jeremy Lamb, shows you how to inspect and repair a Febco 825YA.
Click Here to get more information about Febco
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