CULLMAN – Greencraft Mowers has been a fixture among local businesses in Cullman for years. It’s a family-owned business that has grown from a repair shop to a store offering products, advice, repairs and much more. Owner Ross Harrison has been around the business since he was young and has kept up the family business for 17 years.
“This was first started by my dad and my uncle in 1986. I got involved in 1999 or 2000 as a job to get through college,” Harrison said. “I could be very flexible with my schedule going through college and I really got to start learning the business. I enjoyed the type of business it was, so I stayed here after I graduated college and then I bought my uncle out of it in 2013 so its now owned by myself and my dad.”
The business was originally called Greencraft Mower Corporation.
“When I bought my uncle out we decided to change our corporate name to Harrison Outdoors as a DBA (doing business as) of Greencraft Mowers because that’s what people knew. The reason we transitioned that name into Harrison Outdoors was that we didn’t want to be established as just a lawnmower shop. We want to eventually branch out and carry products that goes along with lawn equipment.”
Harrison shared some of the ways the business has changed since it was first opened and the roles he has played in it throughout the years.
“It started out originally as nothing but a repair center and then as I started working into more of a management role, we took on zero-turn mowers and things like that and transitioned it into more of a dealership than just a repair center,” he said. “I did a little bit of everything starting out. Really started out just answering the phone, taking notes and looking up parts for customers. Then I really got into the mechanics of it and working back and forth between the parts counter, the shop and sales so I’ve done a little bit of it all.”
Harrison has also seen his business maintain its place in the community despite some other competitors moving in as Cullman continues to grow.
“We went through a timeframe, especially when we got into selling equipment like handheld Stihl equipment, where mass merchants started coming into Cullman; some of our clientele went to mass merchants then honestly realized that was not the right answer for buying lawn equipment. They want equipment from a dealership where they can be serviced, whether it be warranty or just general service. We offer delivery on new units as well as pick up and delivery for service work and that’s just one of the things that we provide.”
Harris said the business has grown because customers appreciate service.
“That’s what’s grown our business is customers coming to us because of the service we can provide them. The trust is the key. As Cullman has grown, I obviously don’t know every customer that comes in now. I knew a lot 15 years ago and still know a lot, but I don’t know everybody, but customers come to us because they want our professional opinion of what product suits their needs best. Anyone can go to a big box store and pick it up and take it home, but that doesn’t mean you’re getting the right tool for the job.”
Harrison said he’s seen the business continue to grow and is excited about some changes that may be coming to Greencraft Mowers soon.
“In the products we sell, we have definitely grown our customer base since I’ve been here over the last 17 years. The business has slowly grown each year so we’re making some changes in the near future that will improve our efficiency on repairs for customers and will also improve our sales to customers. We will be able to provide a better sales and service facility and we hope to be able to make some changes very soon. We’re not announcing anything yet, but it will be coming in the near future.”
Greencraft Mowers is located at 1414 Sportsman Lake Road. It is open 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. during the week and from 7:30 a.m.- noon on Saturdays year-round. Contact the store at greencraftmowers@bellsouth.net or 256-737-0735.
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