Graze, a developer of autonomous commercial lawn mowers, has appointed Logan Fahey as its chief executive officer. Fahey is the former CEO of Robin Autopilot, a robotic lawn care company, and is the founder of Fahey Group, a holdings company dedicated to investing in the green industry.

Graze’s autonomous electric mowers are designed to serve large-scale properties such as airports, parks and government facilities, including properties with high security requirements.

Graze will open an office in the Dallas area while its R&D operations will continue to be located at its Los Angeles headquarters. Over the next year, Graze plans to focus on running key pilot programs for enterprise-level customers throughout Texas and Florida.

“We see a significant opportunity to serve the commercial market in the rapidly growing autonomous mowing industry, and Logan is uniquely qualified to further build our team and take our company to the next level of growth,” says Buck Jordan, chairman of the board for Graze. “Logan is a true visionary and pioneer in this industry. He has built Robin Autopilot as a successful robotic mowing company in partnership with Husqvarna Group, the world leader in robotics, and he has successfully run a large-scale landscaping company. We are privileged to have Logan’s expertise and vision at the forefront in this exciting time for our company.”

Fahey will continue as chairman of the board for Robin Autopilot, a synergistic partner of Graze. In recent years, Fahey’s team repositioned Robin as a robots-as-a-service (RaaS) firm offering multi-manufacturer fleet management software solutions. Fahey also led the management team of Landmark Lawn and Garden Supply based in northeast Ohio, where he formed Landmark Automation as an RaaS company focused on eco-efficient and labor-saving solutions for the lawn care industry.

“Our engineers have created a truly remarkable product that is the most advanced solution in the market,” Fahey says. “By focusing our initial efforts on key commercial markets in the Dallas area, we are building a strong foundation for long-term growth for our company as a pioneer in this exciting industry.”

Senske Services acquires National Turf Service

National Turf Service in Virginia will be rebranded to Blades of Green, a division of Senske Services.

Senske Services has acquired National Turf Service, headquartered in Springfield, Virginia.

Established in 1970, National Turf has delivered lawn care solutions to customers across Northern Virginia.

After more than 50 years of family-owned and operated excellence under former owner Clinton Quinn's guidance, Senske Services emerged as the ideal fit.

"When the time came for me to retire, I sought a partner who could provide the utmost care for my loyal customers and dedicated employees," Quinn says. "Senske was the obvious choice. They possess the values and commitment that have defined National Turf."

“We are pleased to welcome the new employees to our team,” says Casey Taylor, Senske CEO.

As part of the transition, National Turf Service will be rebranded to Blades of Green, a division of Senske Services.

The Springfield office of National Turf will operate as Blades of Green's second branch location.

Brad Leahy, president of Blades of Green, will take charge of both operations.

Empower Brands adds Canopy Lawn Care

Canopy Lawn Care was founded in 2016. Its services span from weed control and fertilization to lawn aeration to fungal protection and more.

Empower Brands, multi-brand franchisor of commercial and residential services, has added Canopy Lawn Care. Canopy marks Empower Brands’ fourth new brand under its umbrella in 2023 following the additions of Koala Insulation, Wallaby Windows and Bumble Roofing.

“When we began conversations with Canopy a few months back, I knew they would be a great fit for our portfolio and organization,” says Scott Zide, CEO of Empower Brands. “The brands’ mission is to leave people and properties better than they found them, and they live by a service-first code of values. Now, we have the privilege of partnering with an already great brand and proven business model that we can expand nationally via a franchise system.”

Canopy Lawn Care was founded in 2016. Its services span from weed control and fertilization to lawn aeration to fungal protection and more.

Through this partnership, Empower Brands will incorporate Canopy Lawn Care's services and business model into its incubation function that launches new franchise brands.

This will provide Canopy with the necessary tools, resources and support it needs to establish a successful franchise framework. In turn, Empower will expand its services with a new market segment and build an established brand into a thriving franchise opportunity.

"We’re looking forward to partnering with Empower Brands and combining our shared vision for business growth and entrepreneurial success,” says Canopy Lawn Care Founder Hunt Davis.  

NALP partners with FEWA on H-2B assistance program

NALP’s new partnership with the Federation of Employers and Workers of America will give members access to FEWA’s expertise.

The National Association of Landscape Professionals has formed a strategic provider relationship with the Federation of Employers and Workers of America, a nonprofit association created to assist employers and workers with labor needs. FEWA has specific expertise in assisting employers navigate the H-2B visa program.

Finding seasonal workers continues to be the top obstacle confronting the landscape industry and the H-2B guest worker program is critical to alleviating the current work force crisis. The landscape industry is the largest user of the H-2B program.

“We receive questions and concerns about the H-2B program from members and prospective members on a near daily basis because of the complexity and uncertainty associated with the program,” says Andrew Bray, senior vice president of NALP. “FEWA and NALP have been collaborating on our H-2B advocacy efforts for many years and this new partnership will only strengthen our collaboration while also offering their expertise to NALP members.”

“FEWA members have the unique benefit of joining one association to file the H-2B paperwork, process workers abroad, advocate in DC, educate on compliance and have access to legal resources,” says Arnulfo Hinojosa, vice president of FEWA.

NALP’s new partnership with FEWA will give members access to FEWA’s expertise. Members will also have access to exclusive content, including webinars and other resources, to help program users stay compliant with the programs’ complex rules and regulations.

Arbor Masters acquires second Kansas City company in 2 months

The company has acquired Heath Nelson Tree Services, which was founded in 1981.

Kansas City-based tree care services provider Arbor Masters has made another acquisition in the Kansas City market, merging with Heath Nelson Tree Services.

The acquisition is the second in two months after their merger with Jennings Tree & Lawn Care in May.

The latest move gives Arbor Masters more than 180 years of family-owned business experience between the three companies.

Arbor Masters Founder and CEO Ron Keith says the company’s Kansas City roots and growth planning have inspired their recent business moves.

“We’ve been serving our neighbors in the Kansas City metro for more than 65 years,” Keith says.

“Both Jennings and Heath Nelson share the same community-first values, as well as stellar customer service and reputations that we hold above everything else.”

Our business is growing faster than ever right now in Kansas City and throughout the central U.S.

Jennings Tree & Lawn Care: An Arbor Masters Company has been providing professional tree care, lawn care and organic removal services in Johnson County, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri, for more than 75 years.

Heath Nelson Tree Service: An Arbor Masters Company has provided tree care services for their customers in Independence, Sugar Creek and Lee’s Summit, Missouri customers since 1981.

The acquisitions are Arbor Masters’ most recent expansions following their November 2022 purchase of Advantage Tree Services; an Arbor Masters Company in Iowa bringing its services to six U.S. states.

With locations in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas and Iowa, Arbor Masters provides comprehensive tree and plant health care services to customers throughout the central U.S.

The fully accredited and certified arborists offer tree pruning, stump grinding, fertilization, disease and infestation control, cabling and bracing and tree removal services to their customers.

The mergers add to a total of 175 Arbor Masters employees across the states of Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas and Iowa.

MMC Land Management names new director of maintenance

Jim Salva started at MMC Land Management as a crew member in 2007 and has grown within the company since.

MMC Land Management has promoted Jim Salva as director of maintenance across all three branch locations.

Salva started at MMC Land Management as a crew member in 2007 with no landscaping background.

Once he mastered mowing, Salva began driving a truck and supervising a crew of his own. From there he rose into the production manager role, followed by the operations manager role, and eventually transitioned into an account manager. His most recent title was Gibsonia branch maintenance manager, where he led the branch’s landscape maintenance and snow removal divisions.

In his new position, Salva will oversee MMC’s three maintenance branches which produce over $10 million in revenue and employ 94 team members.

Co-Owner Mark Platt. "Whether it’s mid-spring and the grass is growing like crazy or it’s Christmas morning and a blizzard is rolling through, (Salva) always has his finger on the pulse,” Co-Owner Mark Platt.

“You can bet that work will be completed timely and properly under his watch. There is no one else more deserving of this role and I could not be happier for him. I am looking forward to seeing how Jim will position our maintenance division for the future."

BOSS Software, SiteRecon announce new integration partnership

The move provides access in the office or in the field to all mapping information for crews and managers.

The Integra Group, the developer behind BOSS Software, has announced an integration partnership with SiteRecon.

The integration between the two partners provides users of BOSS Software with an advanced property measurement tool that will improve the accuracy, speed and depth of proposals and job plans.

The addition of SiteRecon to BOSS Software will provide landscape contractors, lawn care and snow removal professionals with the following benefits and business building tools:

• Automated take-offs in as little as 30 seconds for residential properties and just a few hours for large commercial properties.
• Cost estimates that account details including slope of the turf, plant mulch split and more.
• The ability to communicate seamlessly through the field logs app.
• Create custom maps in a few simple steps that include fire hydrants, drainage routes, flower beds, HVAC units and more.
• Instant access in the office or in the field to all mapping information for crews and managers.

“Our two teams have worked together on this integration to create a highly efficient process for BOSS users to more accurately measure properties they are servicing,” says Mike Cossins, CEO & founder of The Integra Group. “The integration will give users a proven, easy-to-use tool that will help drive revenue as well as streamline backend operations.”

Cossins said contractors will save time by submitting properties to SiteRecon for property takeoff measurements directly into BOSS Software. These measurements will be imported directly into a BOSS Property and used in estimates. Maps can also be shared digitally with customers and crews.

“SiteRecon aims to bring the best in mapping technology right where users need it. We're proud to partner with BOSS Software, to introduce a powerful estimating solution that automates property measurements and creates math-based quotes for maintenance contracts in a few clicks,” says Utkarsh Sharma, CEO & co-founder of SiteRecon.

HCI Equity Partners acquires Grasshopper Lawns in Pennsylvania

Headquartered in Larksville, Pennsylvania, Grasshopper is a fourth-generation, family-owned company.

HCI Equity Partners, a lower middle-market private equity firm, has acquired Grasshopper Lawns.

This is the first acquisition for HCI in the green industry. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Headquartered in Larksville, Pennsylvania, Grasshopper is a fourth-generation, family-owned provider of lawn care treatment services to residential customers across Eastern Pennsylvania. The company has built a strong reputation for delivering a wide range of high-quality services, including lawn treatment and fertilization, aeration, mosquito and pest control and tree and shrub services.

“We are excited to welcome the Kravitsky family and the entire Grasshopper team to the HCI portfolio of companies,” says HCI Managing Partner Doug McCormick. “They have built a market-leading company in Eastern Pennsylvania with consistent organic growth throughout multiple economic cycles, and a loyal and growing customer base. We look forward to partnering with the Grasshopper team to unlock new opportunities for transformational growth, innovation and geographic expansion.”

“We are excited about this new chapter in the history of Grasshopper,” says Michael Kravitsky, IV, Grasshopper owner and president. “We’ve enjoyed our time getting to know the HCI team and firmly believe partnering with them will provide us with the resources and support needed to provide increased opportunities to our family of employees, accelerate our growth initiatives, expand our service offerings and ultimately deliver an even better experience to our valued customers.”

Michael Kravitsky IV will remain with Grasshopper in a consulting and board role, and the day-to-day operations will transition to Michael Kravitsky V, which continues a trend of family leadership that has spanned for decades.

“The investment thesis HCI has developed for the lawn care treatment market is highly favorable. It has a route-based, recurring service model with a growing, resilient customer demand for services, in a large and very fragmented market, making it a strong candidate for aggressive M&A consolidation,” says HCI Principal Nate Novak.

“We believe Grasshopper is an ideal starting point for us to build a leading player in the industry that offers best-in-class service to customers.”

Quarles & Brady served as legal counsel to HCI. LR Tullius represented and acted as exclusive financial advisor to Grasshopper Lawns on the transaction.