As an industrial property facility manager, you have many concerns and tasks on your to-do list.
Employee traffic and deliveries during rush hour are also involved, as is managing highly used common areas and entryways. In addition, you have to maintain many concrete and turf areas and stormwater runoff.
Moreover, you have to keep the facility operating through winter weather. Industrial work doesn’t get snow days, so you have to ensure employees and deliveries can easily move in and out.
This is particularly true in an area like Oak Brook, Illinois, where light snowfall can turn into winter flurries in a second, causing nasty conditions — everything from feet of snow to icy walkways and roadways.
For an industrial facility management firm like CenterPoint, controlling Old Man Winter’s surprise attacks is even more important.
For CenterPoint, finding a commercial snow removal professional who can offer quality services and prioritize communication to keep needs clear was crucial to developing a mutually beneficial relationship.
About the Client
CenterPoint is an investor, developer, and manager of industrial real estate. They develop ingenious solutions for its customers’ complex property, logistics and supply chain challenges.
The company acquires, develops, and manages industrial facilities near major transportation nodes, ports, and population centers in America’s top industrial markets, including Greater Chicago.
CenterPoint is guided by its core tenets, which encompass innovative problem-solving, exceptional performance, and valued relationships.
So, naturally, they want to apply these values to the service partners they work with, including professional snow removal.
Snow Removal For Industrial Parks Challenges
Managing the snow and ice buildup on your commercial grounds is a big priority on any Greater Chicago property management to-do list.
You want to keep everyone who visits your site safe. No one wants snow removal liability issues from employees or visitors slipping and falling on ice or tripping through thick snow. No one wants tree branches falling from the weight of heavy snow and ice, damaging buildings or vehicles, either.
CenterPoint’s headquarters, located in Oak Brook, Illinois, and the multiple properties it manages are no exception. They faced numerous challenges that forced them to seek a new snow removal contract.
Challenge #1: Rapid Snowfall and Slow Response Times
The first challenge CenterPoint faces in snow removal for industrial parks is rapid snow accumulation.
“Chicago-area weather can bring heavy snowfalls that require quick response times,” says Vince Sammartano, business development, KD Landscape.
At CenterPoint, “snow wasn’t being cleared quickly enough, which led to disruptions in tenant operations,” Sammartano points out.
Challenge #2: Managing Hazardous Conditions in Large Paved Areas
With so many paved surfaces, ice buildup was a big concern in high-traffic zones at CenterPoint.
Ice management, including ongoing salting and de-icing, is a necessary part of commercial snow removal because large concrete surfaces can quickly become dangerously slick. The goal is to avoid slippery conditions that could pose risks for vehicles and pedestrians.
The delays CenterPoint was experiencing in plowing and salting created hazardous conditions, increasing safety risks for the company.
Challenge #3: Equipment and Logistics
CenterPoint manages a large 6400-acre site and other properties, so it is important to deploy the right number of plows, loaders, and salt trucks efficiently. CenterPoint’s properties include expansive truck yards, loading docks, and parking lots that must remain accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If this isn’t done, it can cause delays in snow removal for industrial properties, leading to backups and logistical issues for tenants. “And with multiple tenants per property, snow removal must be coordinated to avoid blocking critical access points,” Sammartano says.
Challenge #4: Limited Previous Coordination
Another problem for CenterPoint was the lack of proactive planning. The company’s previous provider didn’t have a well-structured snow management plan, leading to inconsistent service. Key areas like loading docks and truck routes weren’t always properly prioritized.
“When we stepped in, there was a need for a more structured and proactive approach to snow removal,” Sammartano says. “Clear communication and scheduling are necessary to prevent delays or access issues.”
Snow Removal For Industrial Parks
KD Landscape has a strong industry reputation in commercial landscape maintenance and professional snow removal. The company’s success with other large-scale clients demonstrated its ability to manage industrial and logistics properties effectively.
"After pursuing CenterPoint Properties as a client in 2020, I created a proposal highlighting capacity, equipment, staffing, and response strategy for snow events. By combining competitive pricing with high service quality, we positioned ourselves as the best choice for the job,” Sammartano says.
For CenterPoint, KD Landscape delivers the following services as part of its snow removal contract:
Plowing & Snow Clearing
The company clears snow from large parking lots, truck courts, loading docks, and access roads to ensure tenants' continuous operations. KD Landscape’s teams use heavy-duty plows, loaders, and pushers to efficiently handle the large paved areas.
“We worked closely with CenterPoint to create site-specific snow response pans,” Sammartano explains. “This included mapping out priority areas, staging equipment efficiently, and ensuring the fastest response times.”
Ice Management & De-Icing
KD Landscape proactively applies salt and de-icing materials to prevent ice buildup on roads, walkways, and critical access points. This includes monitoring weather conditions to ensure timely applications before and after storms.
24/7 Storm Response
KD Landscape operates on a 24/7 basis, responding quickly to snow events to minimize disruptions. “Our crews are strategically dispatched to CenterPoint properties to maintain accessibility throughout storms,” Sammartano points out. “We implemented real-time weather tracking and had crews ready to respond before storms hit.”
Site-Specific Planning
KD Landscape works with CenterPoint to develop commercial snow removal and management plans tailored to each property’s layout and operational needs. The approach prioritizes tenant access, safety, and efficiency, ensuring minimal facility downtime.
Ongoing Communication & Quality Control
KD Landscape provides regular updates and reports on snow removal activities. Account managers contact CenterPoint’s team closely to ensure expectations are met. “Weekly and post-storm reports ensure accountability and continuous improvement,” Sammartano says.
Additionally, KD Landscape conducted unique strategies to help with CenterPoint’s specific professional snow removal needs.
Staging equipment in advance helps reduce response times and ensure immediate deployment when snow begins. Real-time weather tracking and pre-treatment with liquid deicers help prevent ice buildup and enhance plowing efficiency. Post-storm reports also help keep property managers informed and ensure accountability.
Snow Removal For Industrial Parks Cost Savings
Cost is a huge factor in snow removal for industrial properties, and property managers want to know what to expect.
KD Landscape helped them achieve some measurable outcomes in this area, too.
By pre-positioning equipment and crews, KD Landscape reduced response times, ensuring snow removal began immediately after snowfall. Prioritizing high-traffic areas and using a mix of equipment for large and tight spaces also helped lead to faster snow clearance times. These strategies reduced business disruptions and operational delays.
Proactively applying liquid deicers before storms prevented ice buildup and reduced the salt needed afterward. This resulted in lower salt usage and cost savings while reducing liability concerns and maintaining safety on CenterPoint properties.
Real-time updates and post-storm reports improved transparency and communication, leading to fewer service disputes and improved client satisfaction.
Snow Removal For Industrial Parks Results and Feedback
CenterPoint has appreciated KD Landscape’s quick response times and timely commercial snow removal, which has minimized disruptions to their operations. “They’ve noted that our pre-positioned equipment and rapid deployment have significantly reduced downtime during storms,” Sammartano explains.
The consistent updates, real-time notifications, and detailed post-storm reports have kept CenterPoint’s property managers in the loop. “They’ve mentioned that enhanced communication has made planning and coordination much smoother,” Sammartano points out.
Thanks to proactive strategies, CenterPoint has also noticed a reduction in salt usage and overall snow removal cost. They’ve also noted the fewer slip-and-fall incidents.
“CenterPoint has commended us on our professionalism, reliability, and the customized snow management plans we developed for their specific needs,” Sammartano says. “They feel confident that even during severe winter conditions, KD Landscape will provide exceptional service.”
A Solid Commercial Snow Removal Plan For Your Greater Chicago Facility Leads to Positive Impacts
KD Landscape has worked with CenterPoint for five years, providing professional snow removal services.
The company loves the partnership and communication they receive to help them keep their busy property free of snow and ice.
“Once we began servicing CenterPoint, our ability to efficiently handle snow removal — even during light snow seasons — helped reinforce trust and maintain the contract,” Sammartano says. “We’ve built this relationship by staying proactive, communicating consistently, and ensuring we’re always prepared for any snow event, big or small.”
Like CenterPoint Properties, your commercial or industrial facility may need attention to keep it safe and secure during winter’s worst.
But maybe you also have a lot on your plate, and you don’t have time to micromanage a landscape company or worry about whether the service provider you choose is neglecting your facility.
We understand. You’re busy, and your time is valuable. Let KD Landscape help. We can discuss your priorities and build trust so you feel like we’re listening to you and your needs.
We can communicate with you in the ideal fashion you choose and respond promptly so you’re never left wondering what’s next, if something is not complete, or if snow and ice will collect in the middle of the night and cause business delays in the morning. We can proactively share impactful ideas with you to boost areas of your property and keep it looking professional and clean.
Want to learn more about commercial snow removal in Greater Chicago? Get started today with an on-site consultation. We’ll review your options together so you can make a great choice.
