Media Room

• Pat Faust has been with Landscape Structures more than 13 years. Before becoming president in 2008, he served as vice president of operations. He has also been a key member of the executive leadership team, and played a crucial role in strategic planning, product distribution, product design and manufacturing.
• As VP of operations, Pat revamped the manufacturing operations of the company through organizational and technology changes to achieve world class results. He also vertically integrated manufacturing processes by bringing major manufacturing processes in-house to improve quality and efficiency.
• During the changeover to a lean manufacturing/continuous improvement/kaizen company in 1999 from a traditional manufacturing philosophy, Pat empowered company employees, and instilled a sense of personal responsibility for the success of the company with each employee.
• In 1996, Pat led the organization through the ISO 9001 certification process for excellence in quality. This certification ensures that the company meets strict criterion for quality standards. The company is audited on a regular basis to ensure that the criterion are continually met.
• In 1998, Pat led the organization through the process to become ISO 14001 certified, which ensures company processes are in place for environmental stewardship and for environmental responsibility.
• Pat was instrumental in the creation of the Landscape Structures employee-ownership (ESOP) plan in 2004. The employees now own 30 percent of the company. He serves as a trustee of the ESOP.
• Pat oversaw the creation of a new, certified Continuing Education Units (CEU) program that allows landscape architects and park and recreation professionals to gain the latest information in the playground industry and earn annual education credits.
• Pat helped to secure a partnership with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), to work together to build brighter, healthier futures for children across America.
• Sustainability has always been important to Pat, and in 2006, he helped Landscape Structures win the Minnesota Waste Wise Award.
• Pat has been a member of the regional Manufacturers Alliance for nearly 10 years, and is a frequent contributor and speaker at the organization's events.
• Pat was closely involved in securing a partnership with Global ReLeaf®, a program of American Forests. A donation is made with every Landscape Structures playground sale to purchase enough trees to offset the carbon dioxide produced while manufacturing that specific playground. Through Global ReLeaf, trees are planted across the globe in major reforestation sites.
•  Pat was key in Landscape Structures' sponsorship of the Sustainable Sites Initiative. The Sustainable Sites Initiative is an interdisciplinary partnership between the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, and the United States Botanic Garden to develop guidelines and standards for landscape sustainability.

For more information, contact Pat Faust at Landscape Structures Inc., 601 7th Street South, Delano, MN 55328; 888.438.6574.