WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – Wright Outdoor Solutions has acquired Branching Out, an Omaha, Nebraska-based company that has served Omaha, Lincoln and surrounding communities for over 30 years. With the agreement, the company will operate as a division of Wright Outdoor Solutions.
Wright Outdoor Solutions, an employee-owned company based out of West Des Moines, Iowa, currently offers services like residential and commercial landscape design and installation, complete tree care, lawn care, maintenance and design, holiday lights and décor, interior plantscaping, snow and ice management, land clearing, bulk mulch and plant rental. The acquisition of Branching Out allows Wright Outdoor Solutions to expand their footprint and provide Branching Out with additional resources and manpower.
Branching Out, founded in 1981, provides residential and commercial interior plantscaping, exterior seasonal color rotation and interior holiday décor.
“The partnership between the two companies is a natural fit, with their three services being services we already offer our Des Moines clients, which made them an attractive acquisition for us,” said Scott D. Packard, chairman and CEO of Wright Outdoor Solutions. “It’s an exciting opportunity for our two companies and our clients. We can take our resources and manpower on the Wright side and continue building on the foundation they’ve already established in Omaha.”
Not only is this a transition in ownership, but the decision was made to rebrand and reintroduce Branching Out to the marketplace under a new name known as Verdure Elements.
“The decision to change the company name came with a lot of careful thought and consideration from our leadership team,” said Jennifer Anderson, general manager of Wright Outdoor Solutions. “The new name and brand is a reflection of the company’s vision and where we want it to go in the future.”
The first step of the rebrand was a new logo and a newly launched website. The Branching Out website has been retired and redirects to the new Verdure Elements website.
Additionally, after 38 years, Branching Out President Terry Whitney has stepped down from his position. Branching Out’s management team will remain in place under Anderson's leadership. Wright Outdoor Solutions, with history stemming from 1928, has approximately 70 employees based out of their West Des Moines location on Raccoon River Drive. Branching Out will continue operating out of their existing location.
“I’m really excited to welcome Verdure Elements into the Wright family,” Anderson said. “We have a lot of experience in the business that they do and can provide them with enhanced support and resources from an operational perspective, including fleet capabilities, risk management, marketing, human resources, and more.”
