Austin Outdoor expands to serve clients across Florida
1 Feb, 2012 LM Direct!BUNNELL, Fla. – Austin Outdoor, a commercial landscape services firm, has acquired the landscape management division of Cornerstone Solutions Group.
The merger of Cornerstone’s operations with Austin Outdoor’s already substantial Florida presence has created a diverse organization capable of serving commercial clients with statewide operations. Edward Schatz, Jr., Austin’s founder and current president of the southeast region for Yellowstone Landscape Group, which acquired Austin in 2008, explains: “The merger of Cornerstone with Austin Outdoor is a natural fit. Between the values they share and reputation they both have for high quality, these two organizations complement each other perfectly. The result for our clients will be even more resources and seamless service across Florida."
Cornerstone Solutions Group steadily developed since 1984 under the value-based leadership of John Faulkner. He built a substantial landscape business in Tampa, Sarasota, Orlando and Jacksonville on a foundation of superior quality and dedicated service that mirrors Austin Outdoor’s approach. About the merger, Faulkner says: “This a great move for Cornerstone because it allows us to reach our goals of building a great, nationally-recognized company founded on principals of quality, integrity and culture. For the past several years the economy has been increasingly dictating the options available to us. We feel that there are still tremendous opportunities in markets that we couldn’t fill quickly enough. With this merger, we’ll be poised to jump to the next level in the landscape industry.”
For Cornerstone, the focus has always been on building strong relationships with customers. Faulkner explained that “We have always felt that our clients are our partners. With this merger, they will instantly have access to the vast resources that a large regional company offers, bringing more value and depth to the services that we provide.”
Austin Outdoor maintains many premier commercial properties in the markets it serves. William Dellecker is Austin Outdoor’s president and has guided its operations since 2002. When asked about the merger with Cornerstone, he said: “Our focus has always been on what’s best for our clients and we’re constantly seeking opportunities to improve our service offerings. There are many companies in our industry, but Cornerstone is unique; they share the same core purpose and their long-standing relationships prove it. I’m excited about working with John Faulkner and his team.”
In looking ahead to their combined future, John Faulkner summed it up this way: “What excites me most is that the years of effort in pursuit of our vision are now one step closer to becoming a reality.”
About Austin Outdoor
Austin Outdoor was established in 1994 as a horticultural organization dedicated to creating, building and maintaining sustainable landscapes. The company offers a wide range of services that enhance clients’ investments and improve the quality of life. Austin Outdoor now serves clients from its Florida offices in Bunnell/Flagler County (headquarters), Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, Sarasota, Port St. Lucie and West Palm Beach. For more information about Austin Outdoor, please visit our web site at www.austinoutdoor.net.
About Yellowstone Landscape Group
Yellowstone Landscape Company was founded in 2008 by Gridiron Capital, LLC, a private equity firm based in New Canaan, Connecticut. Yellowstone’s purpose is to create a regional company with unsurpassed expertise to serve diverse commercial clients. It does so through Austin Outdoor in Florida, Atlanta-based Piedmont Landscape for Georgia and South Carolina and BIO Landscape and Maintenance in Texas. On a combined basis, Yellowstone was ranked by “Lawn and Landscape” magazine in 2011 as the 11th largest firm in the industry. To learn more, please visit www.yellowstonelandscape.com and www.gridironcapital.com.
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