Neuberger Berman Acquires Minority Stake In Yellowstone
Neuberger Berman Capital Solutions (NBCS) has acquired what the firm describes as “a significant minority stake” in Yellowstone Landscape, the Florida-based provider of commercial landscape services.
The official announcement indicated that funds managed by New York-based private equity firm Harvest Partners were being invested alongside funds from NBCS clients to acquire the minority stake in Yellowstone, the Bunnell-based company that serves over 9,000 customers in the United States.
Yellowstone President and CEO Harry Lamberton welcomed the news and infusion of funds which will allow Yellowstone to continue to focus on new business, core priorities, and new talent development.
“We will continue our pursuit of excellence in commercial landscaping for customers across the country, driving success through our five key priorities, and creating ever increasing development and career opportunities for our industry leading team of landscape professionals.” – Harry Lamberton
For more information, visit yellowstonelandscape.com.
Ruppert Landscape Expands Market Presence In Florida And Georgia
Ruppert Landscape, an industry-leading provider of commercial landscape services, started 2025 with a pair of new business announcements in growing markets in Florida and Georgia.
In Florida, Ruppert announced the acquisition of Lawnscapes, a leading Panama City-based provider of commercial landscape services.
Founded by Joe Littleton in 1996, Lawnscapes serves hundreds of commercial clients in Bay and surrounding counties through its Design, Construction and Commercial Management divisions.
And two days prior to the Florida announcement, Maryland-based Ruppert announced the expansion of the company’s existing presence in Georgia with a new branch in Athens.
According to the official press release, the new Athens branch “will provide a full range of commercial landscaping services in Clarke, Oconee, Jackson, Walton, Newton, Rockdale, and Barrow Counties.”
Mosquito Shield Named #1 Pest Control Franchise For Third Year
Mosquito Shield, the nationwide provider of mosquito, tick and perimeter pest control services, has topped Entrepreneur’s annual ranking of the Best Pest Control Franchises for the third straight year.
In compiling the annual Franchise 500 list, Entrepreneur’s editorial team evaluates franchises across industries based on several factors including costs and fees, size and growth, brand strength, financial strength and long-term stability.
President Michael Moorhouse says receiving the award for three straight years is testament to the Mosquito Shield franchise system which prepares franchisees to succeed from Day One.
“We see consistent growth year after year because our team gives franchise owners the tools they need to excel. From innovative training to templated solutions for strategic growth, our home team lays the foundation for franchise owners to hit the ground running.” – Michael Moorhouse
For more information, visit moshield.com.
Knox Pest Control Expands Presence In Florida Panhandle
Knox Pest Control, a fourth-generation, family-owned provider of pest control and lawn care services in the Southeast, started the new year with a push further south into the Florida Panhandle.
Georgia-based Knox has announced the acquisition of Mike Weed’s Termite and Pest Control in Pensacola. The acquisition expands Knox’s territory in North Florida where the company already provides pest control and lawn care services to residential customers in Jacksonville.
In the official press release, Knox co-Presidents Justin and Sean Knox suggested the company will continue to pursue opportunities in the Southeast as they arise:
“We are very happy and honored to welcome the Mike Weed Termite and Pest Control customers to our ever-growing family. We continue to evaluate every opportunity to enhance our presence as a significant service provider throughout the pest control industry.” – Justin and Sean Knox
For more information, visit Pest Control Technology.
Bland Landscaping Acquires Koehn Outdoor
This week Bland Landscaping, the North Carolina-based, private equity-backed management and contracting business announced the acquisition of Koehn Outdoor, one of the leading commercial landscape service providers in Jacksonville and surrounding markets in Northeast Florida.
Jacksonville-based Koehn Outdoor was founded in 2004 by David Koehn who started the company with “just one lawn mower, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a passion to deliver exceptional results.”
Today, twenty years later, Koehn Outdoor has grown into a full-service firm with a team of over 125 commercial landscape professionals, licensed irrigation contractors, pest control providers and certified arborists.
“This collaboration represents an incredible opportunity for both teams. By leveraging our combined resources, we can achieve even greater success while remaining true to our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.” – David Koehn
For more information, visit koehnoutdoor.com.
Toro Unveils New TITAN MAX Zero Turn Mower
This week Toro unveiled the latest edition of the company’s TITAN MAX zero-turn mower with some beefed up specs compared to the last edition unveiled in 2020.
According to the official announcement, the new TITAN MAX features an upgraded transmission, commercial-grade pulleys, improved seat compression springs and fully integrated LED lighting for improved visibility in dim conditions.
Like the previous edition, the new TITAN MAX has a 7-gallon fuel tank and sits on 23-inch Reaper tires in the back and 13-inch treaded front caster tires.
Pricing for the new TITAN MAX is listed at just over $7,000 on the Toro website.
For more information, visit, toro.com.
Canopy Lawn Care Expands To Florida With Miami Location
Canopy Lawn Care, an upstart lawn treatment franchise and member of the Empower Brands portfolio of companies, has established its presence in Florida with the opening of a new franchise in Miami.
Founded in 2016, Canopy Lawn Care focuses on innovative, science-backed turf care practices to achieve cleaner and healthier lawns. Canopy’s uses a variety of natural ingredients like coffee grounds, amino acids and probiotics to focus first on soil and root health.
According to Lawn & Landscape, Canopy is planning to expand to operations to eleven states in 2025 with new franchises opening in Michigan and Idaho.
For more information, visit lawnandlandscape.com.
Senske Expands Southeast Presence With TurfPride Acquisition
This month Washington-based Senske Services announced the acquisition of TurfPride, a leading provider of residential and commercial lawn care services in the Atlanta market and surrounding areas.
Kennesaw-based TurfPride was founded in 2001 by Ron White whose background in the agriculture and horticultural industry helped TurfPride establish itself as a local leader in lawn care and turf management.
TurfPride has consistently developed customized treatment programs for residential and commercial clients thanks to the company’s collaborations with regional universities like UGA, Clemson and NC State.
For more information, visit turfpride.com.
Contact CII Today
If you own an established lawn care, pest control or tree service business in Florida or Georgia and would like to get a better understanding of the current market value of your company and important steps you can take today to maximize that value, get in touch with a CII business advisor today.