Senske Services has acquired Nutri-Lawn and Mosquito.buzz.

Nutri-Lawn, established in 1985, boasts a prominent Canadian presence with six corporate locations and 12 franchises spanning major cities in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia. Meanwhile, Mosquito.buzz, founded in 2016, operates with three corporate locations and five franchise locations across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Senske was number 45 on Lawn & Landscape’s Top 100 list with more than $62 million in revenue.

Ryan Vincent, president and owner/partner of Nutri-Lawn and Mosquito.buzz, will continue to lead as the president.

“After years of rapid growth in both brands, selling Nutri-Lawn and Mosquito.buzz was a thoughtful decision for the businesses and our employees,” says Ted Dzialowski, executive chairman and owner/partner of Nutri-Lawn and Mosquito.buzz. “We found a partner in Senske Services who values our legacy and understands our vision. Senske’s reputation for excellence and its dedication to customer service aligns with the principles we’ve upheld since the company’s inception.”

Nutri-Lawn and Mosquito.buzz will continue to grow the Canadian market through organic growth and future acquisitions.

“This strategic alliance marks a significant milestone for Senske Services. As we welcome Nutri-Lawn and Mosquito.buzz into our family of companies, we see great things in our future,” says Casey Taylor, CEO of Senske Services.

Superscapes acquires Newman Lawn Care

The commercial landscaping company is based in Northern Texas.

Superscapes, a commercial landscaping provider in Texas and Arkansas, has acquired Newman Lawn Care, marking a move to enhance its presence in North Texas. This acquisition reflects Superscapes' commitment to delivering top-notch landscaping services and strengthening its position as an industry leader.

Superscapes landed at number 79 on Lawn & Landscape’s Top 100 list with $39 million.

“I am thrilled to welcome my friend, Brandon Newman, to the Superscapes family. For a quarter of a century, we have taken great pride in the award-winning service and satisfaction our customers have grown to expect and appreciate. During that time, Brandon has successfully built his company into a like-minded business focused on excellence and client satisfaction. He is now working alongside our management team as he services his existing clients and helps manage and grow our exciting business in North Texas,” says Shawn Clayton, CEO of Superscapes.

Electric Sheep acquires two more landscaping businesses

This makes four landscaping businesses that Electric Sheep has acquired in recent months.

Electric Sheep has made two new acquisitions of landscaping businesses — Westar Landscaping and Caliscapes.

This makes four landscaping businesses that Electric Sheep has acquired in recent months.

Electric Sheep is an outdoor maintenance company powered by artificial intelligence and robotics. It acquires traditional outdoor service providers and progressively transforms operations by deploying its proprietary AI software and robots.

“The ESR business model of acquiring landscaping businesses and improving their margins by augmenting workers with automation is radically innovative, and a sustainable, rapidly scalable way to build moonshot robotics,” says Pieter Abbeel, professor in AI and robotics at UC Berkeley, co-founder and chief scientist at Covariant, and long-time scientific advisor to Electric Sheep. “As this model scales, ESR is poised to build an RL factory to train AI agents for sustainable outdoor work. I’m excited to support their mission.”

Electric Sheep’s ML models are designed to automate various physical tasks like mowing and sweeping and knowledge work like inventory management, customer success, and marketing.

The robots explore, map, navigate and manipulate the physical world around them including HOAs, parks, university campuses and more. Electric Sheep’s robots don’t require an engineer on site – they can just be shipped to the site and begin tasks alongside the crew.

“Electric Sheep is at a critical point in its growth; acquiring Westar and Caliscapes builds on our successful business model of injecting advanced AI and robotics into traditional landscaping companies and significantly increasing their value,” says Nag Murty, CEO and co-founder of Electric Sheep. “We’re bringing a new business model to an industry that is ripe for innovation; by acquiring these businesses first and incorporating this full data and AI deployment engine, we are creating a fully scalable and sustainable business that is really a first in the outdoor services market.”

“We continue to acquire companies in major metro areas that have a strong customer base, well-maintained equipment and exceptional facilities,” says Jarrett Herold, COO and co-founder of Electric Sheep. “In California in particular, electrification is a major priority, and starting in 2024, the sale of new gas-powered blowers, mowers, weed trimmers and chainsaws will be banned in the state. With both Westar and Caliscapes based in California, we are building out our footprint to bring electrification to landscaping for regions that are demanding it. We will also be focusing on implementing robotics for tasks like fire abatement which is becoming a more urgent issue for counties in California.”

Bland Landscaping Company acquires Foster Lake & Pond Management in North Carolina

Foster Lake & Pond Management provides lake, pond, stormwater and fishery management services to commercial customers in several North Carolina markets.

Bland landscaping company, a North Carolina provider of commercial landscaping management services, has acquired Foster Lake & Pond Management of Garner, N.C.

Foster Lake & Pond Management, founded in 1983 by Johnny Foster, provides lake, pond, stormwater and fishery management services to commercial customers in the Raleigh/Durham “Triangle” and Charlotte markets.

“We have known and worked with the Foster Lake & Pond Management team for many years and have the utmost respect for the business Johnny has built,” says Kurt Bland, Bland Landscaping’s president and CEO.

Bland Landscaping, based in Apex, is a full-service provider of landscape design, installation, enhancement and maintenance services. Its customers include offices, hospitals, universities, municipalities and homeowner associations statewide, including the Triangle, Triad, Charlotte and Coastal regions. In 2023, Bland Landscaping ranked 52nd on the Lawn & Landscape Top 100 list.

Bartlett Tree lands pair of acquisitions

The company expands by acquiring Emery’s Tree Service and Butler Brothers.

Bartlett Tree Experts has opened a new office in Greer, South Carolina, with the acquisition of Emery’s Tree Service.

For the past 32 years, Emery’s Tree Service has provided tree care to commercial and residential clients in the Upstate region.

“Bartlett Tree Experts is a family business that has been a leader in our industry for 117 years," says owner Scott Emery. "Customers can rely on local attention from a team of highly skilled arborists with a commitment to exceptional customer service, quality, and safety.”

As part of the acquisition, the entire team from Emery’s Tree Service has joined Bartlett in its new Greer office, including an Arborist Representative and six production team members.

“Emery’s allows us to expand our full range of scientific tree care services while continuing to honor our commitment to exceptional safety, science, technology, and business," says Jim Ingram, president and chief operating officer of Bartlett Tree Experts.

Meanwhile, Bartlett also acquired Butler Brothers in Metairie, Louisiana.

For the past 23 years, Butler Brothers has provided tree care in New Orleans and surrounding areas and was owned by Paul and Tim Butler.

“Bartlett’s arboricultural research facility supports its offices in delivering the most advanced scientific tree care solutions available,” Paul Butler says. “Customers can rely on local attention from highly skilled arborists with a commitment to customer service and safety.”

“The Butler brothers built their business through hard work and integrity and their success made them an attractive company for Bartlett Tree Experts to bring onboard,” says Patrick Brewer, vice president of Bartlett's southwest division. "Our team in the New Orleans office is excited to grow with our new colleagues, as we expand Bartlett’s scientific plant health care services to benefit our clients’ trees and landscapes.”

Barefoot acquires Bob Jenkins Pest & Lawn Services in Texas

Bob Jenkins Pest & Lawn Services has operated in San Antonio, Texas, since 1987.

Barefoot Mosquito & Pest Control, a portfolio company of Incline Equity Partners, has acquired Bob Jenkins Pest & Lawn Services.

Bob Jenkins Pest & Lawn Services has operated in San Antonio, Texas, since 1987. Founded by Robert E. Jenkins and his wife, Catherine, Bob Jenkins Pest & Lawn Services began as a family owned and operated company. Robert and Catherine’s daughter, Paula, joined the company and still works there today. Mike Davison joined the company as a manager in 2008 and quickly expanded its services to include lawn care.

Incline Equity Partners is a private equity firm dedicated to investing across the middle market in distribution, business services and manufacturing companies. Incline’s typical investment types are ownership transitions for privately held businesses, buyouts and corporate divestitures within the U.S. and Canada.

“This partnership with Barefoot Mosquito & Pest Control marks an exciting chapter for our company,” Davidson says. “We believe that their experience and resources will play a pivotal role in further enhancing our capabilities and expanding our reach. We are eager to embark on this journey of growth and innovation.”

Ruppert acquires The Greenery of Charleston

The Greenery of Charleston, a sister company of The Greenery, Inc., serves customers in Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, James Island, Johns Island, Kiawah Island and Summerville.

Ruppert Landscape, a provider of commercial landscaping services, is pleased to announce it has expanded its services in South Carolina with the acquisition of The Greenery of Charleston.

The Greenery of Charleston is also a sister company of The Greenery, Inc., which landed on Lawn & Landscape’s 2023 Top 100 list at no. 28.

Owned and operated for 15 years by Andrew Dupps, The Greenery of Charleston is a commercial landscape maintenance and installation provider in the Charleston market. Together with partners Dennis Hensley and Tom Murray, along with the support of approximately 320 team members, the company serves customers in Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, James Island, Johns Island, Kiawah Island and Summerville.

The acquisition of The Greenery of Charleston aligns with Ruppert’s vision to continue to expand the company’s footprint within current and adjacent markets.

“We are eager to enter the South Carolina market through this partnership with The Greenery of Charleston,” says Phil Key, CEO of Ruppert Landscape.

Stanley Black & Decker names new president

Denny Docherty will oversee the company’s Independent Dealer Channel.

Denny Docherty has joined the Stanley Black & Decker as its new president, commercial outdoor. In this role, Docherty will oversee the company’s Independent Dealer Channel, which includes the Independent Retail & Post-Sales Support teams. Docherty will take over the role from Gary Lobaza upon his retirement at the end of March 2024.

Docherty brings more than 30 years of experience in the outdoor power equipment industry to Stanley Black & Decker, most recently spending the last 23 years at John Deere in sales leadership, marketing and strategy roles.

Docherty began his career with MTD Products, which was acquired by Stanley Black & Decker in 2022.

Diller promoted to president of Landscape Leadership

A 25-year green industry veteran, Chad Diller formerly held the title of vice president with the marketing company.

Landscape Leadership, a marketing and sales agency for the lawn and landscape industry, has announced the promotion of Chad Diller to the role of president. Formerly the vice president, Diller's elevation to this pivotal position marks a new era for the agency.

“Chad's forward-thinking vision and extensive practical experience make him the ideal leader to guide our agency into this new era of innovation and excellence,” says Chris Heiler, CEO of Landscape Leadership.

Diller began as a lawn and tree technician in 1998, then worked as an account manager before finding his passion for marketing.

“The lawn and landscape industry is defined by its leaders. We must be on the cutting edge of marketing initiatives that blaze a trail,” Diller says. “That’s what I aim to give back to our clients, team and industry peers.”

Glenn Jacobsen passes away at 65

Jacobsen founded the New Jersey-based Jacobsen Landscape Design & Construction in 1979.

Glenn Jacobsen passed away Jan. 8 after a battle with glioblastoma brain cancer. He was 65.

Jacobsen was founder of Jacobsen Landscape Design & Construction in 1979.

He was a 2009 Lawn & Landscape Leadership Award winner.

According to his 2009 profile, Jacobsen started in the landscaping business at a young age, when he was in his mid-teens. His father was a part-time tree trimmer who also operated a small greenhouse.

Jacobsen earned his associate degree in ornamental horticulture when he started his own company. “When I was in high school, I started my own landscaping business working in neighbor’s yards,” he said in 2009. “I went to college only a couple of years. For the past 32 years, I have run my own business.”

Vroman joins Wilson360

Brandt Vroman will serve as a strategy consultant, leadership coach and CEO peer group facilitator.

Brandt Vroman has joined the Wilson360 team as a strategy consultant, leadership coach and CEO peer group facilitator.

Vroman’s four-decade experience in the landscape industry included being a startup founder of Northwest Landscape Services of Oregon, which was sold to The Brickman Group in 2007. Post-acquisition, he remained with Brickman as Western Regional Manager, overseeing Oregon, Washington, Colorado, California, Arizona, Nevada and Texas. He subsequently served as a strategic implementation partner with Boston Consulting Group during its engagement with Brickman.

“Brandt’s deep experience and expertise as a landscape entrepreneur and business leader will ensure that our firm remains pre-eminent in landscape management consulting across all aspects of our capabilities,” says Wilson360 CEO, Robert Clinkenbeard.

Vroman received his Masters in Business Administration from Marylhurst University in Lake Oswego, Oregon, and a Bachelor of Science in Ornamental Horticulture from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Originally from Laguna Beach, California, Vroman and his family reside in Oregon.

FMC launches Durentis

This formulation provides lawn care operators protection from above and below ground chewing pests, including all species of grubs and Fall Armyworms.

FMC Corporation has received federal registration enabling the commercial launch of Durentis insecticide. This proprietary formulation provides lawn care operators and golf course superintendents season-long protection from above and below ground chewing pests, including all species of grubs and Fall Armyworms. FMC announced the upcoming availability of the new insecticide at various lawn care events in 2023. However, the official launch will occur at the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show in Phoenix earlier this month.

Durentis is a highly concentrated formulation of the active ingredient chlorantraniliprole with the lowest use rates in the diamide class of chemistry and requires a single application for season-long control. It is fast acting and provides a zone of protection around the roots, and its systemic properties allow upward translocation. These unique physical properties allow Durentis to quickly move into the turf — protecting it without the need for excessive irrigation.

“Customer input led to the development of Durentis,” says Mike Sisti, FMC North America marketing manager. “Ongoing customer conversations and collaboration with FMC’s R&D team guided the development of this new tool for well-maintained lawns and golf courses.”

FMC’s comprehensive portfolio of fungicides, herbicides and insecticides provides turf and ornamental growers, golf and lawn care professionals, as well as pest management professionals, with differentiated solutions designed to help promote healthy turf and plant growth, while efficiently controlling pests.