CALABASAS, Calif., – ValleyCrest Cos., a privately held landscape organization with more than $700 million in revenue, closed today on the previously announced acquisition of Omni Landscape Group. Omni’s parent company, Omni Facility Services, filed for Chapter 11 protection from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in June 2004.
Under terms of the agreement, ValleyCrest has purchased substantially all of the assets of Omni Landscape Group. The company has become part of ValleyCrest’s landscape maintenance division and will operate under the name ValleyCrest Landscape Maintenance.
The acquisition expands ValleyCrest’s operations in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, New York and New Jersey, giving customers in these markets access to the extensive capabilities of one of the nation’s leading landscape organizations. ValleyCrest expects the transaction to add approximately $50 million in revenue and 700 people to its team.
Richard Sperber, president of ValleyCrest Cos., indicated that the union opens a new range of growth possibilities between firms that share similar cultures with an intense focus on quality work, superior customer service and career development. “This union brings together incredibly bright and talented people and we’re excited to have the Omni people on our team,” he says. “Our combined expertise will set us apart in the market and demonstrate our commitment to delivering outstanding service to our customers.”
Sperber emphasized that by joining forces with ValleyCrest, Omni’s customers will not only retain the high levels of service they are accustomed to but will also gain access to enhanced resources. “In addition, we plan to take advantage of their reputation as a leader in turf management by learning from their success and business practices,” he adds.
Overall management of the integration is the responsibility of Roger Zino, president, ValleyCrest Landscape Maintenance. “First and foremost, we’re going to take care of the people,” Zino says. “From the beginning, we’ve been impressed by Omni’s great teamwork, their customer focus, and the alignment of their values with our own. This is a talented and enthusiastic group of people and we know they’ll have great careers with ValleyCrest moving forward.”
Zino also announced that ValleyCrest Landscape Maintenance will expand its leadership team with the addition of George Morrell, founder of Atlanta’s Morrell Landscaping, which was acquired by Omni Facility Services in 1999. Morrell has been named vice president. Also, former Omni President Mark Allen, who will lead the company’s Northeast Region with responsibility for its operations and growth. “Mark and George know how to deliver high quality landscape maintenance and have extremely relevant experience on a strategic level,” Zino says. “We’re excited to welcome them as important additions to our senior team.”