DALLAS — There’s a major new landscape presence in the Southeast and south central United States. And it’s already looking to extend its market reach.
Gridiron Capital, LLC on Wednesday, April 30, announced the formation of Yellowstone Landscape Group, Inc. after completing the acquisition of Houston-based Bio Landscape & Maintenance and Atlanta-based Piedmont Landscape Contractors, LLC.
A news release announcing the acquisitions said that Yellowstone Landscape Group is now among the top 20 landscape companies in the country with customers in Georgia, Texas, Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina and Florida. Plans are in place for more growth.
“Our management team is extremely excited to become owners of Yellowstone, and we are thankful for Gridiron’s financial commitment and partnership with the Company,” said John Miller, CEO of Yellowstone.
“Together we will be able to utilize our management and industry experience and build on BIO and Piedmont’s leadership to accelerate market share growth, expand our service offering and differentiation while supporting our customers efforts more aggressively in other U.S. markets,” added Judy Guido, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Yellowstone.
Gridiron Capital Managing Partner Eugene Conese Jr. reported that his company’s strategy is to partner with the two companies’ superior management teams and owners to build businesses and add value by providing the support necessary to grow and realize the companies’ full potential,
“BIO and Piedmont are premier brands within the highly-fragmented $50 billion landscape services industry. Combined, BIO and Piedmont’s comprehensive service offering and diverse customer base will allow them to build on their proven track record of profitable growth in a dynamic sector,” added Gridiron Capital Principal Owen Tharrington.
Robert Taylor, President of BIO Landscape & Maintenance, said, “Yellowstone joins us in recognizing that our people are our most trusted asset in delivering the same high quality of customer service that our customers have come to expect for decades.
“Our shared culture and vision for delivering the highest quality service will be greatly enhanced by bringing additional resources for growth through technology, business and landscaping processes. Our entire organization and key stakeholders are excited about the opportunities that this strategic opportunity brings to all of our customers, employees and community.”
BIO Landscape & Maintenance will go by the name of BIO Landscape & Maintenance, a Member of Yellowstone Landscape Group.
Drew Watkins, a co-founder and head of maintenance services for Piedmont, said: “We are energized by the opportunity to become part of such a talented, customer-focused and committed team like the Yellowstone Landscape Group. The people, culture and vision of Yellowstone are aligned with our success, goals and vision for our great employees and customers. The additional resources and expertise that Yellowstone provides brings unparalleled value to all of our stakeholders.”
Phil Walters, co-founder and head of installation services, added “We have always been the provider of choice for the highest quality, most responsive services. I view this as a great opportunity which will help us expand into larger geographic markets and support our valued customers as their needs grow.”
Piedmont is a leading comprehensive landscape and horticultural company that employs green and sustainable services to the commercial, municipal, multi-family, resort and residential markets throughout the Southeast including Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, Florida and Virginia.
Piedmont will go by the name of Piedmont Landscape Contractors, LLC, a Yellowstone Landscape Group Company.
Gridiron Capital, LLC, based in New Canaan, CT, is a private equity firm focused on creating value by acquiring and building middle-market manufacturing, service and specialty consumer companies in the United States and Canada. Gridiron’s portfolio includes Schutt Sports, PAS Technologies, Ramsey Winch, Auto Crane, McKenzie Sports and Electronic Systems Protection, said the news release.
