GreenScapes Landscape Company becomes employee-owned

GreenScapes Landscape Company is the latest in a line of Columbus companies to transition to employee ownership.

The landscaping company has transitioned to an employee stock ownership plan, or ESOP, placing control in the hands of its 90 employees, a succession plan initiated by founder Bill Gerhardt. Since opening in 1977, the company has expanded to a full-service landscape and design company for both commercial and residential real estate, as well as snow and ice management in the wintertime.

"I've been looking for a way to pass the company along to the people here," Gerhardt said. "I've been approached by buyers over the years, but it didn't seem like a good fit for the employees, or I was worried they'd want to change the culture here. This way the employees will be able to take the ball, and they can run with it."

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This story was originally written and posted by the Columbus Business First. The whole story can be read here.