Cleveland-based company acquires Robin Autopilot

Fahey Group, a Cleveland-based advisory firm, acquired Robin Autopilot, a rapidly growing pioneer in robotic mowers for the U.S. market.

Robin Autopilot mowers are battery-powered, programmable and energy- and cost-efficient. They can be used daily to keep a lawn trimmed to a precise length, resulting in a healthier, more attractive landscape, with pollution-reducing benefits equivalent to replacing two family cars with electric vehicles, according to the company. The automated mowers also offer significant cost savings for landscape service providers who are challenged by a lack of available workforce in many markets.

Founded in 2015 by Justin Crandall and Bart Lomont, Robin Autopilot operates through 15 franchisees in 12 states and has more than 1,000 customers with robotic mowers in use. Landmark Automation, a Fahey Group company, owns and operates the franchises in Cleveland and Tampa, Fla. Cleveland now has the largest single concentration of robotic mowers in the U.S. with more than 150 active mowers and another 50 pre-sold.

Following the acquisition, Robin Autopilot will move its headquarters from Dallas to Cleveland. It also will continue its partnership with Cleveland-based MTD Products. MTD produces the robotic mowers and was an original investor in Robin Autopilot.

“Headquartering the company in Cleveland where both Landmark and MTD are located can help streamline our service and deployment collaboration as we continue to expand the business and bring this technology to new markets,” said Logan Fahey, who will be CEO of the company. “In addition to our strong management team, the deal is backed by investors who have scaled similar businesses and believe robotic mowing represents the future of landscaping services.”