Landscape industry news: Majority stake in Landscape Workshop sold; Schill expands

Ares Private Equity fund has acquired a majority stake in Landscape Workshop, the No. 27 company on Lawn & Landscape’s Top 100 list.

Through this transaction, Landscape Workshop will gain additional capital to expand its regional footprint and scale through new strategic acquisitions. For nearly 40 years, Landscape Workshop has provided professional service and expert maintenance for outdoor commercial spaces across various industries. Today, the company has grown to 38 locations across the Southeast.

“This is a pivotal next step in Landscape Workshop’s journey and a credit to our exceptional team for their dedication to our disciplined growth strategy while maintaining quality service for our clients,” says J.T. Price, CEO, Landscape Workshop.. We are thrilled to partner with Ares and leverage their investing experience to help accelerate our growth both organically and through acquisitions and create long-term shareholder value.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Piper Sandler served as financial advisor and K&L Gates LLP served as legal advisor to Landscape Workshop. Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal advisor to Ares on the transaction.

“We are thrilled by the opportunity to partner with J.T. and the entire Landscape Workshop team as they continue their growth trajectory,” Natasha Li and Mike Nawrot from Ares Private Equity wrote in a joint statement.

Landscape Workshop also recently landed two new acquisitions to expand its reach in Virginia: Green Dream Landscaping and Chris’ Lawn Care.

This acquisition of Green Dream marks Landscape Workshop’s second acquisition in the Richmond, Virginia area. The acquisition of Chris’ Lawn Care also expands them in Virginia, moving them into the Lynchburg and Roanoke markets.

Schill acquires Elevations Landscaping

Elevations Landscaping will maintain its brand while founders Catrina and Drew Wroblewski remain involved in the business as operational leaders.

Schill Grounds Management has acquired Elevations Landscaping to expand further west into the Chicago area.

Schill ranks No. 30 on Lawn & Landscape’s new Top 100 list.

For more than 20 years, Bolingbrook, Illinois-based Elevations has provided landscaping design and installation, landscape management, plant healthcare, hardscape installation, seasonal plantings, holiday decorations and snow and ice management services to clients west of Chicago, including residential communities, multi-family properties, businesses, and other commercial sites.

Elevations Landscaping will maintain its brand and market presence, while founders Catrina and Drew Wroblewski remain involved in the business as operational leaders. The 75 Elevations employees are being retained, bringing Schill’s headcount up to about 1,400 employees.

“Catrina and Drew have built a company with a strong culture of high-quality service, trust and loyalty, and together we can add even greater value for customers and employees as we grow in the Chicago area,” says Jerry Schill, founder and CEO of Schill Grounds Management. “We are thrilled to partner with them as we deliver on their motto: Elevate your property. Elevate your experience.”

By partnering with Schill, Elevations Landscaping gains a network of 30 service base locations across the upper Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Elevations also gains enhanced operational, financial, business development and marketing support from the Schill family of companies.

“The entire team at Elevations is excited to join our new colleagues at Schill as we add new resources and firepower to provide a new level of service to our clients across the Chicago region and beyond,” wrote the Wroblewskis in a joint statement.

Joshua Tree Experts partners with Franchise FastLane to accelerate expansion

Founded in 2017 and led by Carey Gille, Franchise FastLane was created to help brands accelerate their growth.

Franchise FastLane, a franchise acceleration and development company, has partnered with Joshua Tree Experts.

Led by founder and CEO, Joshua Malik, Joshua Tree Experts is based out of Pennsylvania and specializes in tree care, lawn care and pest control. The company operates in nine states including Arkansas, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina, Illinois, Indiana, Colorado, Utah and Texas.

Prior to the partnership, Joshua Tree Experts powered its expansion through Franchise FastLane’s CarPool program — a system designed for brands that prefer a self-directed growth approach with strategic coaching and a structured franchise roadmap. The company is now one of the few brands to join the FastLane program based on data, including the franchisor’s value proposition, key differentiators, marketplace conditions, unit economics, positive franchisee validation, support and its efficiency in getting franchise units open and operated.

“When Joshua Tree Experts first began franchising, I wanted to align with the best in the industry. Franchise FastLane’s reputation as a leader in this space stood out, and their track record of scaling brands responsibly was exactly what we needed,” says Malik, who founded the company in 2005.

Founded in 2017 and led by Carey Gille, Franchise FastLane now supports more than 23 brands in its FastLane program and over 13 brands in its CarPool program.

Massey Services promotes Smith to director of systems administration

In his new role, Ross Smith will oversee the daily operations of the systems administration team and all cloud resources.

Massey Services, which ranked No. 30 on Lawn & Landscape’s Top 100 last year, has promoted Ross Smith to director of systems administration, systems architect.

“We are excited to see Ross step into this new leadership role,” says Adam Scheinberg, vice president, information technology. “His innovative approach and commitment to enhancing our IT systems have been invaluable to our company’s success. We look forward to his continued contributions in this expanded capacity.”

Smith joined Massey Services in 2015. He later earned a promotion to systems architect in 2018. Since then, Smith has enhanced Massey’s IT infrastructure and has developed strategic solutions to optimize system performance and efficiency.

In his new role as director of systems administration, Smith will oversee the daily operations of the systems administration team and all cloud resources.

Central Turf & Irrigation rebrands as Central Pro Supply

The rebrand includes a new website, updated signage and digital communications.

After 35 years, Central Turf & Irrigation is rebranding as Central Pro Supply.

“Rebranding after 35 years is both exciting and emotional,” says Bernardo Luciano, president of Central Pro Supply. “Our look is changing, but who we are remains the same. We’re still the family-owned company our customers have trusted for decades — focused on delivering innovative solutions that help them grow and succeed in a fast-changing world. As a former contractor I knew the need for a better distributor existed, and that core value will always continue to be the backbone of our organization.”

Over the past three decades, Central has served over 33,000 customers across the US and Canada. The rebrand from Central Turf & Irrigation Supply to Central Pro Supply is driven by expanding product lines, new services and the company’s enhanced operational support. The brand of Central Pro Supply better represents what the company is today.

The refreshed brand will be rolled out across all company platforms in the coming weeks and months, including a new website, updated signage and digital communications. While the logo, colors and name may be getting a fresh update, the company’s core values and mission remain unchanged.

Ruppert Landscape adds 2 new branch managers in Florida

Anthony Bretz will lead the Jacksonville branch and Daniel Stutts will lead the Orlando branch.

Ruppert Landscape has two new branch managers in Florida.

The company recently added Anthony Bretz as branch manager at its Jacksonville branch and promoted Daniel Stutts to branch manager in the company’s Orlando landscape maintenance branch. 

Bretz brings over 15 years of experience in the landscape and agronomy industry, having held leadership roles with several large commercial maintenance firms and previously owning and operating his own business. His experience includes working with prominent landscape companies in the Jacksonville area, where he was responsible for business development, operations management and client relations.

“As a Jacksonville-area native, Anthony brings strong local relationships and in-depth market knowledge that will be instrumental in the branch’s continued growth,” says Rob Huether, region manager. “We are excited about the positive energy and leadership he brings to the team and look forward to the impact he will make.”

In his role as branch manager, Bretz will oversee all aspects of branch operations, including planning, budgeting, team development and delivering exceptional customer service. Ruppert’s Jacksonville branch provides a full suite of commercial landscaping services, including landscape maintenance, enhancements and design, turf care, irrigation management, pond and lake management, arbor care and outdoor lighting and décor.

With nearly 20 years of landscape industry experience and a degree from Athens Technical College, Stutts joined the company over a decade ago as a field manager in Lilburn, Georgia, and advanced to area manager, where he played a key role in establishing the Alpharetta branch. Last year, he relocated to Orlando to serve as associate branch manager following Ruppert’s acquisition of Tree Amigos Outdoor Services. 

“Daniel has done an excellent job integrating Ruppert’s culture and processes in the Orlando branch while maintaining the strong, dedicated team that was already in place,” Huether says. “We look forward to seeing Daniel excel in this new role and are confident that he will continue to lead the branch toward ongoing success.” 

ERW Site Solutions sells to employees through ESOP

ERW Site Solutions specializes in engineered retaining wall construction, landscape and irrigation design and more.

ERW Site Solutions, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, has sold to its employees.

ERW Site Solutions specializes in engineered retaining wall construction, landscape and irrigation design, concrete foundation and hardscape construction and amenity center construction. ERW serves the multi-family, single-family residential, commercial and municipal construction markets in Texas.

Over the past five years, under the leadership of CEO Jack Matz, ERW has grown organically and through acquisitions. Key acquisitions include Ratliff Hardscape, Kaufman Concrete and LandTec.

With the implementation of the ESOP, all shares of ERW Site Solutions and its subsidiaries — ERW (Retaining Walls), Ratliff (Hardscape), LandTec (Landscape, Irrigation and Maintenance), Kaufman (Concrete) and DesignBuild (Engineering) — are now owned by its employees.

“ERW has always been built on a foundation of teamwork, innovation, and excellence,” Matz says. “Leading this company through a period of growth has been a privilege, and I am proud to transition ownership to the employees who have driven our success. This move ensures that our continued growth strategy directly benefits those most responsible for it. As employee-owners, our team is invested in the future of ERW, creating alignment, motivation and a sustainable competitive advantage.”

ButcherJoseph & Co. served as financial advisor. The transaction closed on Oct. 31, 2024.

“It was an honor to work with the entire ERW Site Solutions team,” says Rick Hennessey, director at ButcherJoseph & Co. “From the first time we met, the management team articulated a clear vision and demonstrated a dedicated focus on executing their strategic plan.”

New AI startup Plantista launches crowdfund for firewise landscaping

The AI technology startup focused on the green industry launched a waitlist to join its crowdfund campaign to build a model to protect homes and properties from wildfires using plants.

Plantista — a new AI startup out of Denver — announced it’s launching a crowdfund campaign to fund the development of a firewise landscape AI model, in collaboration with fire, plant and design experts.

Firewise landscaping — also called defensible space landscaping — is a method of designing yards and gardens to reduce the risk of wildfire damage to homes and properties by:

Creating defensible space: By establishing zones around the home (typically 0 to 5 feet, 5 to 30 feet and 30 to 100-plus feet), firewise landscaping reduces fuel for fires close to structures and slows the fire’s approach.

Using fire-resistant plants: Plants with high moisture content, low resin/sap and non-woody stems are less likely to ignite and can help slow fire spread.

Breaking up fuel continuity: Spacing between plants, using rock or gravel beds and strategic pruning prevent flames from traveling easily from one plant to another or from plants to structures.

By reducing the available fuel and improving the buffer zone around structures, firewise landscaping significantly lowers the risk that a wildfire will ignite or destroy a home. However, the additional rules make developing an AI firewise model more challenging than a traditional landscape model.

While firewise landscaping is not a new concept, it has traditionally been available to those who are able to find and pay for a landscape professional trained in this type of design. By partnering fire, plant and design experts with a team of AI engineers, Plantista’s goal of the campaign is to democratize access to firewise landscaping for all.

The campaign is anticipated to launch in the coming weeks on crowdfunding platform Indiegogo, with exclusive perks available to funders.

One of these perks will be access to Plantista’s current Custom AI Landscape Design tools, in which users can upload a photo and design a location-specific landscape — xeriscape, pollinator or native — in 15 to 30 seconds with common plants available in their area.

“As an alum of UCLA Anderson, the Los Angeles-area wildfires — and the destruction they brought — hit very deeply for me. It was devastating to see so many homes destroyed, and I couldn’t stop thinking about how Plantista could help. By bringing together our community to help build an AI firewise landscape model — in collaboration with fire, design and plant experts — we would be able to help preventatively for future fires, which is what excited us most,” said Ashley Wright, Plantista co-founder and CEO.

Plantista has launched its waitlist, where people can sign up to receive alerts and exclusive early access to perks when the campaign launches.

Winsupply, a national distributor, has acquired Industrial Sales Co.

Industrial Sales, located in Olathe, Kansas, specializes in landscape and utility wholesale distribution throughout the Midwest. Its products include those for landscape, water, gas, telecommunications, geothermal and equipment.

Founded in 1973, Industrial Sales began as a provider of drainage pipes and fittings for residential and commercial contractors in Greater Kansas City. Over time, additional product lines were added, including PVC pipes and fittings, water and sewer, accessories for the gas distribution industry, and irrigation equipment.

“Industrial Sales has been presented with an exceptional opportunity to join the Winsupply organization that I passionately believe represents their commitment to continuing the legacy of Industrial Sales,” says Jake Cooper, the president of Industrial Sales.

Industrial Sales follows a specialized “Service Plus” model for its sales and support staff in two main divisions — Utility and Landscape Divisions.

RC Mowers hires new CFO Dave Kempski

The company has also made additions across its sales, engineering and human resources departments.

RC Mowers has hired a new chief financial officer and made additions across its sales, engineering and human resources departments.

“Helping commercial landscaping companies and public agencies solve real business challenges is one of our top priorities,” says RC Mowers CEO Michael Brandt. “These new hires bring the expertise we need to keep pushing boundaries and stay at the forefront of autonomous and robotic mowing. We’re excited to welcome them to the team.”

The company has tapped new CFO Dave Kempski to lead its financial strategy and operations by drawing on more than 30 years of financial and operational leadership. Kempski has worked with both public and private technology and manufacturing companies, ranging from startups to global enterprises with annual revenues exceeding $1 billion.

Kempski has handled anything from mergers and acquisitions, divestiture transactions, financial planning and analysis, SEC and SOX compliance, equity and debt offerings and system implementations. He was instrumental in building the global finance function for a company that scaled from a startup to S&P 500 and NASDAQ 100 status.

Nationally, the company has also hired:

• Mike Brown, director of operations & quality. Brown’s 30 years of experience spans production, inventory control, packaging and facility operations. He's a Lean Six Sigma expert and a U.S. Air Force veteran.

• Jeff Bowden, regional sales manager, Pacific Northwest. Bowden has experience in both equipment and technology sales. After receiving training as a diesel engine, weapons elevator and main propulsion maintenance technician in the U.S. Navy, Bowden started his career as a mechanic but moved into sales shortly after.

• Michael Nichols, regional sales manager, mid-south region. Nichols has spent most of his career cultivating relationships with his clients. His track record highlights his dedication to delivering results and plans to elevate RC Mowers’ visibility in the mid-south region.

• Jason Mayosky, regional sales manager, California. Mayosky has more than 10 years of outside sales experience. At RC Mowers, he will implement innovative sales and marketing strategies to increase the company’s market share in the Golden State.

The robotic mower manufacturer has also hired several positions that will work at the company’s main office and factory in Suamico, Wisconsin. These include:

• Marcus Laabs, mechanical engineer. Laabs has more than five years of experience as a mechanical engineer.

• Evan Molnar, engineering designer. With experience as both an engineer and group leader, Molnar is certified in advanced composites and additive manufacturing with an adept knowledge of CAD, CAM and GD&T.

• Miranda Coonen, human resources generalist. Coonen began her professional career as a teaching assistant at her alma mater, the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point (USWP). From there, she went on to serve as an office administrator, where she managed everything from budgeting to inventory oversight. She also assisted in and eventually led the hiring process for UWSP’s Health and Wellness School and for the payroll department. She will help RC Mowers manage its talent while onboarding new employees.

Echo secures Sourcewell contract for public agencies

Through this partnership, government agencies, educational institutions and nonprofit organizations can now access Echo’s complete line of outdoor power equipment.

Echo Incorporated has been awarded a Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing contract. The contract applies to the Grounds & Ag, Roads & Airports, and Parks, Recreation & Athletics sectors.

Through this partnership, government agencies, educational institutions and nonprofit organizations can now access Echo’s complete line of outdoor power equipment. The Sourcewell contract satisfies purchasing and helps public entities save time and resources.

Sourcewell is a nationally recognized cooperative purchasing organization that serves more than 50,000 public sector agencies. Sourcewell helps organizations reduce administrative burdens and gain faster access to competitively awarded contracts.

Under the awarded contract, Sourcewell members will have access to ECHO’s full portfolio of battery and gas-powered equipment, including chainsaws, trimmers, brushcutters, blowers and more.

“Our partnership with Sourcewell guarantees that public sector organizations will acquire the professional-grade tools they need at the best price,” says Erik Memmo, vice president of sales at Echo. “We’re excited to support greater operational efficiency and innovation for agencies that work every day to serve their communities.”