Unity Partners forms platform under Yardmaster brand

Unity Partners has formed a new Midwestern landscaping platform spanning three states with completed investments in Yardmaster of Columbus, Big Lakes Lawncare of Detroit, Good Guys Lawn and Landscape of Ann Arbor and Kunco Landscape of Erie, Pennsylvania.

Terms of the private transactions were not disclosed. The combined business will be led by Yardmaster CEO Mike Montenaro. All four businesses will be integrated and operate under the Yardmaster brand.

All four companies provide a range of landscaping services including landscape maintenance, lawn care, enhancement, and installation, as well as snow management services to clients in the commercial, multi-family, HOA, office, industrial and retail end markets.

“We are thrilled to launch this partnership with Unity,” Montenaro says. “Our teams are excited about the strong alignment with Unity around our shared values, ambitious goals for the business, and our passion for serving our teammates and clients.”

“Each of these businesses represents the type of partnership Unity seeks: ambitious leaders with deep roots in their markets, exceptional service quality, impressive track records of long-term growth, and clear growth opportunities,” says Brett Stoehr, vice president of investments at Unity Partners. “Our partnership is an ideal result of our investment thesis around commercial landscaping, and we’re excited to support the continued expansion and combined vision for a leading regional landscaping platform.”

© Logo courtesy of Unity Partners

Yardmaster will be implementing an employee purpose plan that provides all of its employees with a stake in the firm’s financial success and capital events.

“Since our first interactions, the teams at Yardmaster, Big Lakes, Good Guys, and Kunco have all expressed enthusiasm in partnering to be part of something larger,” says Jim Sharpe, partner and head of propel at Unity Partners. “We’re excited to contribute to value acceleration across key operational levers, including technology, sales and marketing, talent development, and platform integration.”

“We’re thrilled about the strength and scale that this combination brings,” says Chester Buczynski, founder of Big Lakes Lawncare and current president of Yardmaster. “Partnering with Yardmaster allows us to leverage additional resources, talent, and expertise to better serve our clients and accelerate growth. Our team is energized about the opportunities ahead.”

Connell Foley served as legal advisor to Yardmaster on the transaction. Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal advisor to Unity Partners. 3PG Advisors served as financial advisor to Yardmaster and Big Lakes.