At Echo’s recent media event in Lake Zurich, Illinois, CEO Harold Redman looked on as the company introduced 10 new products.

Products like the new DPB-7700T backpack blower joined Echo’s 56V battery system lineup. At the same time, the company also introduced its first gas-powered mower, the LM-2119SP.

Redman says that Echo’s trying to stay active in the battery and gas markets. He’s seen more landscapers interested in battery-powered products, and for those who aren’t, they often face restrictions on gas equipment or noise levels. Still, he believes there’s a real demand for gas-powered equipment as well, one that’ll keep gas relevant for years to come.

“We’re not defocusing our efforts on gas products where there are opportunities in the market,” Redman says. “Whether it’s a consumer looking for a premium product like ours or a commercial landscaper looking for different gas products that we don’t offer, we’re still focused on development of gas product technology because we think it’s going to be here for a long time.

“In addition to that, we’re investing in a net portfolio of battery products,” Redman adds. “It’s a matter of balance.”

Redman kept plenty busy at the media event last week, accepting a sustainability award from Lake Zurich’s mayor Tom Poynton. And event attendees had plenty to do, too — they toured Echo’s manufacturing facility before demoing the company’s newest slate of products. Of the nine new products, seven are designed for commercial use.

New blowers

Echo unveiled three new blowers, including the DPB-2610 handheld and the DPB-5900T and DPB-7700T backpack blowers. All three of the new blowers will be available for purchase in the first quarter of 2025. They come with a two-year commercial warranty and five-year consumer warranty.

All three blowers belong to the Echo 56V lineup, so cartridge batteries can be used with other Echo tools in the same lineup.

The handheld blower offers 549 cubic feet per minute and up to 158 miles per hour of blow force. Its run time reaches 25 minutes on high speed and operates on Echo’s 5Ah battery. It’s kitted with the battery and rapid charger. Its MSRP is $299.99. Without the battery and charger, it’s $179.99.

Meanwhile, the DPB-5900T backpack blower produces 795 cfm and 195 mph of force. Its triple-port design means landscapers can use three 8Ah batteries, which helps the runtime reach up to 60 minutes even on maximum speed. The LED grip control tells users how much juice is left in each battery. Buyers will also receive three 8Ah batteries and two dual-port rapid chargers. Echo’s MSRP for the DPB-5900T is $1,299.99 and $399.99 as just the bare tool.

The DPB-7700T generates the most force of the bunch, offering 850 cfm and 220 mph with a run time that reaches 26 minutes on high speed. For reference, the company debuted five new blowers last year, four of which were designed for commercial use. Two of the gas-powered blowers they released generated maximum air speeds of 283 mph, but this new, battery-powered DPB-7700T outpaces Echo’s DPB-5800T from last year.

Echo equipped the DPB-7700T blower with an LCD screen rather than an LED indicator. The DPB-7700T’s MSRP is $1,599.99 and $699.99 without the three 8.0Ah batteries and pair of dual-port rapid chargers.

More battery power

The DSHC-2600 shafted hedge trimmer joins the 56V lineup as well. Last year, Echo debuted five new battery-powered hedge trimmers, though this tool offers a 21-inch, double-sided, double-reciprocating set of blades. Echo estimates a runtime of 80 minutes with one of its 5.0Ah batteries. The tool will run for an MSRP of $739.99 but $619.99 without the battery and rapid charger.

Of course, keeping batteries charged in the field proves tricky for landscapers. Echo revealed its 6-port rapid field charger at the event, which allows users to charge up to six Echo 56V batteries at the same time, all plugged into one outlet. Landscapers can cart the portable battery storage anywhere because Echo’s equipped this tool with wheels, a folding handle and a locking lid. Landscapers can also see how close their batteries are to being fully charged with an LED on-board display. An optional trailer or wall mount can be provided. Its MSRP is $799.99 and it will be available in the second quarter of next year.

A new mower

Then there’s Echo’s entry in the gas-mower market with the LM-2119SP, which is ideal for properties up to an acre. It can be used for homeowners or lighter commercial jobs. The mower joins Echo’s existing battery-powered DLM-2100SP and DLM-2100 mowers.

The new mower’s got a 21-inch steel deck that offers options to mulch, bag or side-discharge. A single-point height adjustment and dual-blade design helps cut lawns more precisely. The mower offers a 90-day commercial warranty with an MSRP of $579.99.

To read more about all of Echo’s new products, including new string trimmers and a hand pruner, visit bit.ly/LLecho24.

Juniper Landscaping acquires Landscape Maintenance Professionals

LMP’s Orlando Castillo will remain a co-owner.

Juniper Landscaping has acquired Landscape Maintenance Professionals, a landscaping maintenance provider with operations across Tampa and Sarasota. The addition of LMP expands Juniper’s footprint to 34 branch locations across five states. Juniper is a portfolio company of Bregal Partners.

LMP has been providing landscaping maintenance services to commercial customers on the west coast of Florida since 1991. LMP’s President and CEO, Orlando Castillo, will remain a co-owner and continue to lead the branch with support from Scott Carlson, LMP’s chief operating officer of nearly 15 years, and Juniper’s corporate team based in Fort Myers.

“After entertaining many companies to partner with, I felt Juniper had similar philosophies on their employees and customers. LMP could not have accomplished what we have without our entire staff,” Castillo says. “I was so grateful to hear that our employees would be part of this partnership. I’m so very excited for this partnership and looking forward to enabling us to continue to grow and be part of Juniper.”

“We are thrilled to be partnering with LMP and their talented team to build upon and expand Juniper’s presence throughout the Tampa and Sarasota markets,” adds Brandon Duke, CEO of Juniper Landscaping. “Orlando and his team have done a remarkable job growing this business and we are excited to welcome them to the Juniper family.”

Turf Masters Brands acquires 3 landscaping companies

Executive Turf and TLC will retain their brand names, while Stewart Lawn & Garden will merge with the company’s Aggieland Green branch.

Turf Masters Brands has acquired Executive Turf located in Lawrenceville, Georgia, Stewart Lawn & Garden based in Tomball, Texas, and Tender Lawn Care in Alpharetta, Georgia.

The addition of these three brands further strengthens Turf Masters Brands’ existing footprint in Georgia and Texas. Terms of the transactions were not disclosed.

Turf Masters earned No. 26 on Lawn & Landscape’s Top 100 list last year.

Executive Turf and TLC will continue to operate under their current brand names, while Stewart Lawn & Garden will merge with the company’s Aggieland Green branch. With the addition of these most recent acquisitions, Turf Masters Brands now operates 33 branches across 11 states and employs over 890 team members.

“Each of the three brands embodies a strong legacy of exceptional customer service and a commitment to people-focused values,” says Jon Clift, CEO of Turf Masters Brands. “We are thrilled to welcome their valued employees to our growing platform and offer new opportunities for growth.”

Green Lawn Fertilizing/Green Pest Solutions names Willey as president

Josh Willey will also retain his title of COO.

Green Lawn Fertilizing/Green Pest Solutions has promoted Josh Willey, to president. Willey will retain his title of chief operating officer.

“Josh has been instrumental in our success,” says company Founder, CEO and Owner Matt Jesson. “He played a pivotal role in growing our revenue from $10 million to more than $50 million over the last eight years. Josh is an incredible leader who understands that a people-centric approach is core for us. He cares deeply about our team members’ development. With this promotion, we know that Josh will help the company accelerate its growth beyond the $100-million revenue mark while expanding into new markets.”

Willey has also been the driving force behind the company’s internal leadership development program, which he founded five years ago. Since its inception, the program has produced more than 75 graduates, leading to more than 40 internal promotions.

“Our strategy is all about people,” Jesson says. “To continue our growth plan, we must focus on developing leaders, like Josh, from within. We are ready to scale with our current leadership team and foundation.”

“I take great pride in representing this company,” Willey adds. “We have an incredibly talented team who continues delivering on our mission daily, which is to build an industry-leading lawn and pest control company that consistently offers superior customer experiences.”

Davey Tree acquires Wise Oak

With the acquisition, Wise Oak’s 13 employees will continue to work as part of Davey’s Residential/Commercial service line.

The Davey Tree Expert Company has added Wise Oak to its family of brands. The company is based in Londonberry, Vermont.

Since 2005, Wise Oak has provided tree and shrub care services, customized landscaping and maintenance and estate care services throughout southern Vermont. With the acquisition, Wise Oak’s 13 employees will continue to work as part of Davey’s Residential/Commercial (R/C) service line.

“Wise Oak is passionate about growing our full line of services in southern Vermont, and joining with Davey allows us to do just that,” says Matthew Mosher, owner of Wise Oak.

“Joining the Davey family will also provide our employees with employee-ownership opportunities to make them feel at home,” he adds.

Kohler Energy rebrands as Rehlko

The company became a stand-alone entity in May 2024 when Platinum Equity completed a transaction with Kohler Company.

Kohler Energy has rebranded under its new corporate name Rehlko, marking a major milestone in the company’s 100-plus-year history.

Rehlko will continue operating as an independent enterprise. The company became a stand-alone entity in May 2024 when Platinum Equity completed a transaction with Kohler Company to establish then-Kohler Energy as a stand-alone business. Platinum Equity is the majority owner of Rehlko with Kohler Company remaining an investment partner.

“We are embracing our future as an independent company with the new Rehlko brand and celebrating our legacy and our commitment for tackling the most complex energy challenges, and the values that guide everything we do and stand for,” says Brian Melka, Rehlko chief executive officer. “Our company’s new name is derived from the six letters of Kohler and reflects the reliability, resolve, reinvention and resilience that have been — and will remain — the hallmarks of this organization in addressing the ever-evolving distributed energy needs of the marketplace.”

Rehlko operates a broad portfolio of businesses including Power Systems, Engines, Uninterruptible Power, Home Energy, Clarke Energy, Curtis Instruments and Heila Technologies. Kohler Power Systems and Kohler Engines will lead the enterprise portfolio brand transition by officially becoming Rehlko branded by the end of 2024.

“This rebranding is more than just a clever name change. The letters that comprise the name Rehlko reflect our 100-plus years of rich heritage under the Kohler brand and represent a bold step forward in our journey to continue building and powering a sustainable energy future,” says Francis Perrin, chief brand and sustainability officer at Rehlko.

“Our new brand repositions our business at the forefront of innovation and energy resilience technology and showcases our proven ability to deliver to our customers with the energy reliability and control that they demand and require. The Rehlko brand is more focused and purpose-driven than ever before.”

Senske acquires 2 Georgia companies

The company expands into the Southeast by acquiring Arbor-Nomics and Simply Organic Turf Care.

Senske Family of Companies has acquired Arbor-Nomics and Simply Organic Turf Care, both based in Georgia. This marks Senske’s entry into the Southeast.

Arbor-Nomics, founded in 1980 by Richard Bare, boasts four locations across the Atlanta metro area. In 2014, Arbor-Nomics acquired Simply Organic Turf Care. Richard Bare has since stepped back, but his children, Josh Bare, president, and Tricia Houck, chief financial officer, lead the company.

Meanwhile, Senske ranked No. 23 on Lawn & Landscape’s Top 100 list in 2024. Roughly 100 employees will join Senske as a result of the acquisitions.

“Joining forces with Senske Family of Companies is a great next chapter that brings exciting opportunities for our customers and employees,” says Josh Bare, president of Arbor-Nomics. “This partnership allows us to leverage Senske’s vast resources, while continuing the legacy my father started. We’re ready to take Arbor-Nomics and Simply Organic to new heights.”

“Expanding into the Southeast has always been a strategic goal for us, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome the Arbor-Nomics team to our family,” says Casey Taylor, Senkse’s CEO. “Their commitment to quality and exceptional service perfectly aligns with Senske’s core values, and this acquisition marks a significant step in our journey of growth and excellence.”