Brickman, headquartered in Gaithersburg, MD, announced on Nov. 3 that it had acquired GroundMasters, based in Cincinnati. No financial details of the purchase were released.

Brickman serves commercial clients in 23 states, featuring maintenance, landscape architecture and construction services. GroundMasters is the Ohio Valley’s largest provider of commercial landscape installation, maintenance and irrigation services, with seven locations throughout the tri-state region, including operations in Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton and the Louisville area.

GroundMasters owner, Mike Rorie, will remain with the company, as a vice president, as will  the existing management team.

“For many years, we have known and admired Mike Rorie and his outstanding team, led by  Chris Hayes and Gary Kuykendall,” Scott Brickman, president and CEO of Brickman.  “We are  very excited to have this incredible team join our organization.”

Said Rorie: “Having developed GroundMasters into a regional leader in the Ohio Valley and Kentucky over the past 27 years, I’m always focused on the future of our organization.

“The opportunity to continue growing our business has just taken a quantum leap by joining Brickman. Becoming part of the nation’s leading commercial landscape provider is a tremendous achievement for our management teams, staff and clients. The values and cultures of our two organizations are parallel.  We are all very excited for this tremendous opportunity.”

A joint release from Brickman and Groundmasters said: “The culture, values and characteristics that attracted Brickman and GroundMasters to each other will enable them to continue providing the highest quality service to their customers, and  continuing growth opportunities for their team members. Both are family-run businesses that value building long-term relationships with their associates and clients. This is accomplished by small, empowered local branch teams that encourage intimate client relationships and responsive, decisive service.”