Press Release
Gridiron Capital Announces Acquisition of Outdoor Environments
New Canaan, Connecticut, October 2009 — Gridiron Capital, LLC announced the acquisition of Outdoor Environments, LLC (“Outdoor Environments” or “OE”) by its portfolio company Yellowstone Landscape Group, Inc. (“Yellowstone”). Outdoor Environments is a commercial landscape maintenance company headquartered in Houston, TX serving Harris, Montgomery, and many of the surrounding counties. Outdoor Environments was merged into Bio Landscape & Maintenance, Inc. (“BIO”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Yellowstone.
Headquartered in Houston, TX, BIO is recognized as a premier full service commercial landscape company. With this merger, BIO now serves 10 counties with a combined 380 employees throughout southeast Texas.
Robert Taylor, President of BIO, said, “Outdoor Environments and its Principal, Chris Lallier, will quickly become an integral part of the BIO team. Chris worked for BIO some years back, went out on his own, and we welcome him back to share in the vision we have for BIO and Yellowstone. Chris is a very capable manager and will soon be running our north Houston branch. Chris models the values within our organization in regard to integrity, customer service, and professionalism.”
Outdoor Environments, led by Chris Lallier over the past 8 years, was built from the ground up through aggressive sales, referrals, and word of mouth. Chris Lallier commented, “Outdoor Environments is fortunate to now have adequate resources and support for our customers to enhance the quality of their service. Together with BIO, we will establish a significant presence in the North Houston market.”
Eugene Conese, Jr., a Managing Partner of Gridiron Capital, commented, “The acquisition of Outdoor Environments extends BIO’s presence in the Houston marketplace and further validates Yellowstone’s strategy. Yellowstone’s continued ability to attract sellers with strong brands and good managers is a testament to its value proposition to business owners and their customers alike.”
About Yellowstone Landscape Group:
Yellowstone Landscape Group, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is a national landscape leader dedicated to serving the growing demands of the commercial, municipal, institutional, resort, multi-family and estate markets by offering a comprehensive service solution of green and sustainable practices with an emphasis on protecting, enhancing and increasing property values in a variety of geographic locations. Yellowstone currently serves customers in Georgia, Texas, Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina and Florida with expansion plans already in place to increase its geographic footprint. By delivering best-in class horticultural and business practices, a highly skilled workforce, value-added pricing strategy and the scales of scope and efficiency, the Yellowstone Landscape Group provides its customers with a premium comprehensive service offering. Visit www.yellowstonelandscape.com for more information.
About Gridiron Capital:
Gridiron Capital, LLC, headquartered in New Canaan, Connecticut, 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. The firm’s principals have historically achieved superior investment returns by employing a combination of strategic, operating and financial experience to provide portfolio companies with competitive advantages. Gridiron’s principals work closely with management teams to develop strategies for portfolio companies, as well as providing resources to execute business plans and build industry-leading companies. Additional information about Gridiron is available on the firm’s website at www.gridironcapital.com.