Jensen, NLS join Monarch Landscape Holdings

The private-equity backed Monarch moves up into the top 20 ranks of commercial landscape firms nationally with revenues exceeding $80 million and more than 1,000 employees across four states. The value of the deals were not disclosed.

 

“I’m honored that landscape firms the caliber of Jensen and NLS have chosen to be a part of Monarch because it validates the partnership we envisioned creating with our equity partner, One Rock Capital Partners,” said Brian Helgoe, CEO of Los Angeles-based Monarch. “Our success in attracting these landscape industry leaders is directly correlated to our platform being closely aligned with their customer-first service values, landscape-based workplace culture, and collaborative team approach.” 

 

Jensen was founded in 1969 and will add more than 350 employees from eight locations across Northern California. For 2015, the company had $45,700,000 in revenue. NLS was founded in 1990 and will add 400 employees from nine locations in Washington and Oregon and Idaho. Lawn & Landscape did a profile on NLS in the February issue. Meridian Capital served as exclusive advisor to the shareholders of NLS.

 

“We chose to be a part of Monarch because we recognized its leadership group is filled with experienced, front-line landscapers who share our vision and its a work atmosphere that understands and values landscape expertise,” said John Vlay, Jensen’s chairman, CEO and president, who will continue to operate the firm as executive vice president. “We know our customers will appreciate seeing the same people delivering the high level of service they’ve come to expect from Jensen at their properties.”

 

Monarch is an environment for genuine landscape pros where the best ideas naturally surface and high-performing people are encouraged to thrive. Crews and managers from both firms are expected to remain in place.

 

“The foundation NLS, established as the largest landscape company in the Northwest, serves as a great launching point for our next growth phase under Monarch’s umbrella,” said Tom DiMeco NLS’ managing partner who will assume the role of senior vice president at Monarch. “It is terrific to see our team being warmly welcomed into a family of companies that prides itself on being a great place for landscape professionals to work.”

 

The Monarch approach when bringing together companies is to forego many changes initially as it integrates people and practices. This helps ensure satisfied customers, and allows people a chance to get acquainted and share input across the enterprise as they collectively shape the future direction of the company.

 

Monarch was formed in May 2015 and is backed by One Rock Capital Partners, a New York-based investment firm, which provides critical access to capital and connections that will allow the venture to grow. Monarch intends to continue building its West Coast presence via additional partnerships with mid-sized, regional landscape firms that generate revenues in the $10 to $50 million range.