Xcluder Geo gains momentum as rodent populations expand
The rodent-proof geotextile safeguards outdoor green spaces without the use of chemicals, and protects nearby homes and businesses from infestation. BUFFALO GROVE, Ill. –As rodent populations continue to expand in cities nationwide, an increasingnumber of public and private facilities management teams are turning to XcluderGeo to address the problem at its source: rodent burrows. Xcluder Geo is apatented geotextile that installs under landscaping to create a permanentbarrier against destructive burrowing pests. Pest burrows destroy expensivelandscaping, can lead to extensive damage to underground root systems, cables,sprinkler lines and building foundations, and enable burrowing Norway rats toaccess nearby buildings in search of food and water. Rodent burrows pose aserious risk to public health as the rats sheltering beneath, many of whom willsuccessfully invade nearby homes and buildings, have been linked to asthma,transport fleas, lice and ticks, and carry numerous diseases. Eliminatingburrowed rodents protects property and public health. Today’s rodents are moredesperate and tenacious than ever as they seek out food beyond theirpre-pandemic sources. Experts worldwide agree that exclusion - using physicalbarriers to prevent pests from entering a home or building in the first place -is the safest and most effective way to control them. Waiting until they areinside is too late, and preventing them from nesting directly outsidea building is step number one. Bushes, plants, vines and other landscapingelements create the perfect environment for rodents to dig beneath and createtheir home. Xcluder Geo utilizes coarse stainless steel fibers bound to aporous geotextile to create an invisible force against these burrowing pestswithout the use of harmful chemicals. It prevents rats and other pests fromdigging beneath the ground while allowing grass and other plants to growunhindered. In the past two years, theXcluder Geo business has grown significantly as facilities and landscapemanagers recognize the growing perils of rodents. Xcluder’s major installationsinclude school district facilities, landfills, public parks, college campuses,food production facilities and urban retail parking lots, where rats areprevalent. Xcluder also protects parks and sidewalk tree pits throughout NewYork City, sidewalk planters along the Boston Wharf, and lower Manhattan’sAfrican Burial Ground - the below-ground National Monument that is consideredthe most important historic urban archaeological project undertaken in theUnited States. “As rodent populationscontinue to grow, sealing public green spaces and building grounds againstrodents is fundamental to protecting nearby facilities and the people within,”said Dave Colbert, vice president of sales for Xcluder. “We’re pleased to see agrowing number of facilities leaders and landscape professionals proactivelyaddressing the problem by using Xcluder Geo. Comprehensive rodent exclusionfrom the outside in is critical to protecting public health.”
Heartland recently announced 7 acquisitions the company made in 2020. “Our formula for success is simple; we strive to partner with the entrepreneurs who’ve built market leading brands with exceptional culture and growth potential," said HeartLand’s Founder and CEO Ed Schatz. "Not surprisingly, our strategy resonates with owners who place a high value on finding the right partner who will respect their brand and create opportunity for their people.”
“Each of these companies are highly-regarded leaders in the markets they serve, and we’re honored to welcome them as partners” said Rob McDonnell, HeartLand’s chief acquisition officer. “These owners have built companies with stellar reputations by living and working according to their core values; they were seeking a robust platform for the continued growth of their team members and HeartLand offered that.”
MainScapes (Founded 1995) – Washington, D.C. / Baltimore (July)
MainScapes provides full-service grounds maintenance to planned communities in suburban areas. The company is a complementary addition to Heritage Landscape Services, a HeartLand portfolio company in northern Virginia. “We have always held the dedication to customer service as a high priority and know that our number one asset is our team members," said Joe O’Brien, long-term operations leader at MainScapes. "Our shared alignment and core values have made the transition seamless. Our team members are being offered great growth opportunities and that is extremely exciting”
Cutting Edge Services (Founded 1995) – Boise / Salt Lake City / Denver (September)
Cutting Edge in Boise, Idaho, services office, retail, planned communities and multi-family properties. The company expanded in recent years to Salt Lake City, Utah and Denver, Colorado. The company was ranked No. 65 on the 2021 Lawn & Landscape Top 100. Co-owner Bob Wheeler says “It is exciting to see our people adapt and embrace the changes that have come their way as we have accelerated our growth over the past few years. We have continued to maintain our quality and commitments to our clients while improving growth opportunities for our entire team.” Co-owner Ben Helton added “Our joint leadership allows us to prioritize different sides of the business with a unique focus unmatched in our region. Growing the right way has provided valuable opportunities for our team and clients across the locations we serve.”
Perficut Companies (Founded 1989) – Des Moines / Cedar Rapids / Omaha (October)
Based in Des Moines, Iowa, Perficut provides grounds maintenance and winter services to commercial clients across all market segments, with a significant presence in industrial, retail, office, and medical sectors. The company also serves Cedar Rapids in eastern Iowa and into Omaha, Nebraska. Perficut president Matt Boelman had this to say about the qualities that have enabled the company to grow and expand: “Perficut has always honored its strong Core Values to build a collaborative team of Passionate, Respectful, Honest and Dedicated individuals to serve our clients and our employees. Our partnership with HeartLand will enhance our ability to continue delivering exceptional service in the future.”
Landscape Services, Inc. / “LSI” (Founded 1988) – Nashville (November)
LSI is a family-run commercial landscape service business in Nashville. LSI  serves clients in planned communities, office, multi-family and education, as well as other commercial market sectors. LSI had grown to become No. 72 in the Lawn & Landscape Top 100. “We believe that living by our core values including doing what we say we are going to do and always doing the right thing are the golden rules to earning the trust and respect of our team members and our clients,” said Doug Stacey, LSI’s president. “Those core values align well with the HeartLand vision and leadership, which is why we are excited to be a part of the HeartLand family.”
Sharp’s Landscaping (Founded 1991) – Philadelphia (November)
Sharp’s is a commercial company in the greater Philadelphia market with a focus on multi-family, healthcare, university, office, industrial and planned communities. Founder Jim Sharp selected Mike Donahue to lead the business, which he has done since 2016. “Sharp’s has been able to grow and thrive in the tri-state area by keeping the needs of the client as priority one,” Donahue said. “This belief has become part of the company culture and has been passed along to the organization from Jim Sharp himself. Companies like ours want to collaborate with a partner that looks out for their interests, deliver what they say they are going to, and quickly respond to feedback.”
Total Environment (Founded 1992) – Oklahoma City (December)
Total Environment maintains properties in the Oklahoma City market, including planned communities and the luxury  homes within them. A founder with a vivid vision has the opportunity to create a business that will stand the test of time. explains how he did it: “I think it comes down to three things," said Founder Ty Hartwig about building a successful company. “First, assembling a talented staff. Second, paying attention to the details; we notice things that most lawn care companies don’t see. Third, providing multiple services with only one client contact. People are busy and if they can call one person, their account manager, to handle multiple things it simplifies their lives.”
Merit Landscape Solutions (Founded 1976) – Western New Jersey / Philadelphia / Houston, Austin, Dallas - Fort Worth, San Antonio TX (December)
With commercial landscape operations in the Northeast and in Texas, Merit was ready for a new partner who could embrace their expansive geography and help them grow. “The northeast Merit team is very grateful and excited about the opportunity to partner with HeartLand and welcomes their support as we continue to grow the business and provide our clients with quality service rooted in partnership," said owner Joe Hoey. "With this type of opportunity, the future is unlimited.”
“Our business has experienced an amazing transformation over the last couple of years, including clients, team members and the processes we use to deliver excellence,” said Rob Cyprus, who leads the company’s South Central U.S and Texas operations. “The opportunity to partner with a unique and successful team in HeartLand allows Merit access to key resources that will provide the support necessary to grow with our current customer base by entering into new relationships with clients who are looking for our type of focused service approach. We are thrilled to be part of the HeartLand portfolio and are excited about the next chapter for Merit.”
Takeuchi-US has named Eric Wenzel as its new Southeast regional business manager (RBM). Wenzel will be responsible for managing all sales activity in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi. His duties will include dealer development and recruitment, inventory control, forecasting, promotions and the support of national and direct accounts. “With our North American headquarters located in Georgia, the Southeastern U.S. has always been a  vital piece of our overall business considering the opportunity we have in the region,” said John Vranches, Eastern division sales manager for Takeuchi-US. “Eric has a unique background that broadly spans sales and operations management in the equipment marketplace. He is a hands-on, solutions-oriented manager with a proven track record of developing strong relationships resulting in increased productivity and growth.”
Based in the Savannah, Ga. area, Wenzel comes to Takeuchi from H&E Equipment Services where he served as a district manager responsible for multiple states. Prior to holding that position, he was a branch manager. He holds a bachelor’s degree from McPherson College in McPherson, Kansas. “I’ve spent my entire career expanding my sales and management experience in the industry,” Wenzel said. “As I took on more responsibility over the years, I developed my problem solving, team building and customer relationship skills. I’m excited to take what I’ve learned and put it to work for Takeuchi, a growing company with a strong, customer-driven focus.”
For more information on Takeuchi dealers, visit the Takeuchi dealer page . Maximum Value Partners , a small business coaching practice owned and operated by Adam Sonnhalter and Jack Mencini, recently created a landscaper division of its small business coaching practice. The new division will offer consulting services specific to the landscaping businesses in the areas of sales, marketing, operation and finance. “The seasonal nature of a landscaping business — particularly the ones we’ve worked with in the greater Cleveland area — make it rather unique from the other trades,” said Jack Mencini, who began MVP with Adam back in 2003. “A large component of coaching landscapers is teaching them how to be more operationally efficient during busy season and more productive during the ‘off season’ in the winter.”
Part of MVP’s work involves recruitment and training seasonal staff. Many landscapers had previously utilized the H-2B visa program for seasonal workers. With increased restrictions over the past few years, landscapers have had to find and develop staff on a local basis, a large challenge in today’s job market. MVP also helps landscapers develop a transparent work culture featuring frequent staff meeting and sharing business plans and goals and making employee satisfaction part of the company brand. That includes utilizing social media pages to showcase the work of staff members. "I guess it’s not much of a coincidence that we’ve worked with so many landscapers," Sonnhalter said. "Jack and I actually met when I was a caddie and he was a wannabe scratch golfer. More than 30 years later—20 of those as business partners — we still gravitate towards finely manicured lawns and the people who make that happen.”
For more information about MVP’s landscaper division and its other services, click here or call (877) 849-0670.You can also get to know MVP by tuning into its podcast, Dirty Secrets of Small Business, on your favorite podcast player and its website. Scag, Kujo Yardwear collaborate for shoe collection
The co-branded shoes are designed specifically for the green industry. RALIEGH, N.C. — Work footwear brand Kujo Yardwear announced today that it is launching a  co-branded version of their “Yard Shoe” with Scag Power Equipment. The shoe will have a unique colorway of black, grey and Scag “Cat’s Eye Gold”. The new Kujo + Scag Yard shoes will be available late March, 2022. The shoes are available for pre-order now at www.kujo.com . The Yard Shoe is Kujo Yardwear’s best-selling product. According to the company, it was the first and only shoe designed specifically for lawn care and landscaping. The shoe combines boot-like features (water- resistance, sturdy grip, durability) with the best features of an athletic shoe (comfortable, light-weight, breathable). “These high-performance Yard Shoes are the perfect fit when using your Scag mower, spreader/sprayer or blower,” said Meghan McCabe, corporate marketing manager for Metalcraft of Mayville / Scag Power Equipment. “We’re really excited for this new and unique collaboration.”
“The lawn care community has been a huge supporter of our footwear, and they have been asking for a Scag version. We’re so fortunate to be partnering with a high-quality company like Scag, to offer this to the green industry,” said Kujo Founder Shawn Langton.

Xcluder Geo gains momentum as rodent populations expand

Maximum Value Partners launches landscaper division
The company is a small business coaching practice. Maximum Value Partners , a small business coaching practice owned and operated by Adam Sonnhalter and Jack Mencini, recently created a landscaper division of its small business coaching practice. The new division will offer consulting services specific to the landscaping businesses in the areas of sales, marketing, operation and finance. “The seasonal nature of a landscaping business — particularly the ones we’ve worked with in the greater Cleveland area — make it rather unique from the other trades,” said Jack Mencini, who began MVP with Adam back in 2003. “A large component of coaching landscapers is teaching them how to be more operationally efficient during busy season and more productive during the ‘off season’ in the winter.”
Part of MVP’s work involves recruitment and training seasonal staff. Many landscapers had previously utilized the H-2B visa program for seasonal workers. With increased restrictions over the past few years, landscapers have had to find and develop staff on a local basis, a large challenge in today’s job market. MVP also helps landscapers develop a transparent work culture featuring frequent staff meeting and sharing business plans and goals and making employee satisfaction part of the company brand. That includes utilizing social media pages to showcase the work of staff members. "I guess it’s not much of a coincidence that we’ve worked with so many landscapers," Sonnhalter said. "Jack and I actually met when I was a caddie and he was a wannabe scratch golfer. More than 30 years later—20 of those as business partners — we still gravitate towards finely manicured lawns and the people who make that happen.”
For more information about MVP’s landscaper division and its other services, click here or call (877) 849-0670.You can also get to know MVP by tuning into its podcast, Dirty Secrets of Small Business, on your favorite podcast player and its website. Scag, Kujo Yardwear collaborate for shoe collection
The co-branded shoes are designed specifically for the green industry. RALIEGH, N.C. — Work footwear brand Kujo Yardwear announced today that it is launching a  co-branded version of their “Yard Shoe” with Scag Power Equipment. The shoe will have a unique colorway of black, grey and Scag “Cat’s Eye Gold”. The new Kujo + Scag Yard shoes will be available late March, 2022. The shoes are available for pre-order now at www.kujo.com . The Yard Shoe is Kujo Yardwear’s best-selling product. According to the company, it was the first and only shoe designed specifically for lawn care and landscaping. The shoe combines boot-like features (water- resistance, sturdy grip, durability) with the best features of an athletic shoe (comfortable, light-weight, breathable). “These high-performance Yard Shoes are the perfect fit when using your Scag mower, spreader/sprayer or blower,” said Meghan McCabe, corporate marketing manager for Metalcraft of Mayville / Scag Power Equipment. “We’re really excited for this new and unique collaboration.”
“The lawn care community has been a huge supporter of our footwear, and they have been asking for a Scag version. We’re so fortunate to be partnering with a high-quality company like Scag, to offer this to the green industry,” said Kujo Founder Shawn Langton. Jobber reveals new Home Service Economic Report
The report indicates green businesses have seen a rapid adoption of online payments. The report features expert insights and proprietary data aggregated from more than 160,000 residential cleaners, landscapers, HVAC technicians, window washers, plumbers and more who use Jobber. “The performance of the Home Service category has made the trades an attractive option for entrepreneurs, those seeking a career change, and young adults entering the workforce,” said Sam Pillar, CEO & co-founder of Jobber. “2021 was a notable year as it demonstrated just how essential the Home Service category is with its high growth and unprecedented consumer demand.”
Among noteworthy findings for the green industry:
The green segment, which      includes outdoor services such as pressure washing, lawn care, and      landscaping, experienced high growth in new work scheduled during 2021,      while other segments slowed down
Green businesses, which      showed the lowest percentage of online payments prior to the pandemic, has      seen rapid adoption, climbing over 35%
The ratio of hires to      job openings continued to grow, such that job openings widely outnumbered      positions being filled
Primera recently announced several staffing changes. John Smith has been named vice president of supplier relations. Most recently, Smith served as vice president of commercial technologies at Amguard, where just this past year, he led the Amguard team to record year. Smith brings a unique background in finance, distribution and supplier experience. Rachel Boehm, who has served Primera’s membership for over nine years, has accepted an opportunity with Primera member Heritage Landscape & Supply Group. During her career, Boehm has been in all facets of the business, beginning with her role as customer service representative to her most recent role as director of cooperative services. In conjunction with Boehm’s new role, Morgan Cothern has been promoted to the position of cooperative services manager. For the last six years, Cothern has worked with the membership, continuing to help advance key initiatives and provide superior customer service to the cooperative. BrightView Holdings recently reported a jump in its total revenue, particularly the maintenance department, when it released unaudited results for the first quarter (ended December 31, 2021). BrightView declared a total revenue of $591.8 million, nearly a 7% increase compared to the prior year. Meanwhile, the company earned $438.2 million in maintenance revenue, a 5% increase compared to what the company earned last year. They also revealed:
Development revenue of $154.7 million, a 13% increase compared to $137.4 million in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA of $42.6 million, a decrease of $9.8 million or 18.7% compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $52.4 million in the prior year; Adjusted EBITDA margin of 7.2%, a decrease of 230 basis points compared to Adjusted EBITDA margin of 9.5% in the prior year. Net cash used in operating activities of $22.4 million and Free Cash Flow usage of $49.9 million. “We are pleased with Maintenance Land revenue growth of 11.0% and Land organic revenue growth of 7.3%. Combined with the results of BrightView’s strong-on-strong acquisition strategy, and the benefits of the investments we are making in our expanded sales team and sales enablement technologies, we realized continued healthy growth in spite of continued pandemic impacts,” said Andrew Masterman, BrightView president and CEO. “Increased land revenue delivered $3.2 million improved EBITDA, driven by 7.3% organic growth, giving optimism for future quarters that our teams are executing despite significant labor and material inflationary pressures. "Historically low snowfall totals across our geographic footprint and material cost inflation impacted the quarter, but the fundamentals of our business and industry remain vibrant and we continue to have a resilient business model," Masterman said. " During the quarter we authorized a $250 million share repurchase program and in January completed the repurchase of approximately $82.5 million of BrightView shares. Additionally, continued positive net new sales in our Maintenance Segment and robust backlogs and proactive initiatives to offset inflation in our Development Segment are why I am confident in our ability to deliver continued profitable growth.”

Maximum Value Partners launches landscaper division

Scag, Kujo Yardwear collaborate for shoe collection
The co-branded shoes are designed specifically for the green industry. RALIEGH, N.C. — Work footwear brand Kujo Yardwear announced today that it is launching a  co-branded version of their “Yard Shoe” with Scag Power Equipment. The shoe will have a unique colorway of black, grey and Scag “Cat’s Eye Gold”. The new Kujo + Scag Yard shoes will be available late March, 2022. The shoes are available for pre-order now at www.kujo.com . The Yard Shoe is Kujo Yardwear’s best-selling product. According to the company, it was the first and only shoe designed specifically for lawn care and landscaping. The shoe combines boot-like features (water- resistance, sturdy grip, durability) with the best features of an athletic shoe (comfortable, light-weight, breathable). “These high-performance Yard Shoes are the perfect fit when using your Scag mower, spreader/sprayer or blower,” said Meghan McCabe, corporate marketing manager for Metalcraft of Mayville / Scag Power Equipment. “We’re really excited for this new and unique collaboration.”
“The lawn care community has been a huge supporter of our footwear, and they have been asking for a Scag version. We’re so fortunate to be partnering with a high-quality company like Scag, to offer this to the green industry,” said Kujo Founder Shawn Langton. Jobber reveals new Home Service Economic Report
The report indicates green businesses have seen a rapid adoption of online payments. The report features expert insights and proprietary data aggregated from more than 160,000 residential cleaners, landscapers, HVAC technicians, window washers, plumbers and more who use Jobber. “The performance of the Home Service category has made the trades an attractive option for entrepreneurs, those seeking a career change, and young adults entering the workforce,” said Sam Pillar, CEO & co-founder of Jobber. “2021 was a notable year as it demonstrated just how essential the Home Service category is with its high growth and unprecedented consumer demand.”
Among noteworthy findings for the green industry:
The green segment, which      includes outdoor services such as pressure washing, lawn care, and      landscaping, experienced high growth in new work scheduled during 2021,      while other segments slowed down
Green businesses, which      showed the lowest percentage of online payments prior to the pandemic, has      seen rapid adoption, climbing over 35%
The ratio of hires to      job openings continued to grow, such that job openings widely outnumbered      positions being filled
Primera recently announced several staffing changes. John Smith has been named vice president of supplier relations. Most recently, Smith served as vice president of commercial technologies at Amguard, where just this past year, he led the Amguard team to record year. Smith brings a unique background in finance, distribution and supplier experience. Rachel Boehm, who has served Primera’s membership for over nine years, has accepted an opportunity with Primera member Heritage Landscape & Supply Group. During her career, Boehm has been in all facets of the business, beginning with her role as customer service representative to her most recent role as director of cooperative services. In conjunction with Boehm’s new role, Morgan Cothern has been promoted to the position of cooperative services manager. For the last six years, Cothern has worked with the membership, continuing to help advance key initiatives and provide superior customer service to the cooperative. BrightView Holdings recently reported a jump in its total revenue, particularly the maintenance department, when it released unaudited results for the first quarter (ended December 31, 2021). BrightView declared a total revenue of $591.8 million, nearly a 7% increase compared to the prior year. Meanwhile, the company earned $438.2 million in maintenance revenue, a 5% increase compared to what the company earned last year. They also revealed:
Development revenue of $154.7 million, a 13% increase compared to $137.4 million in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA of $42.6 million, a decrease of $9.8 million or 18.7% compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $52.4 million in the prior year; Adjusted EBITDA margin of 7.2%, a decrease of 230 basis points compared to Adjusted EBITDA margin of 9.5% in the prior year. Net cash used in operating activities of $22.4 million and Free Cash Flow usage of $49.9 million. “We are pleased with Maintenance Land revenue growth of 11.0% and Land organic revenue growth of 7.3%. Combined with the results of BrightView’s strong-on-strong acquisition strategy, and the benefits of the investments we are making in our expanded sales team and sales enablement technologies, we realized continued healthy growth in spite of continued pandemic impacts,” said Andrew Masterman, BrightView president and CEO. “Increased land revenue delivered $3.2 million improved EBITDA, driven by 7.3% organic growth, giving optimism for future quarters that our teams are executing despite significant labor and material inflationary pressures. "Historically low snowfall totals across our geographic footprint and material cost inflation impacted the quarter, but the fundamentals of our business and industry remain vibrant and we continue to have a resilient business model," Masterman said. " During the quarter we authorized a $250 million share repurchase program and in January completed the repurchase of approximately $82.5 million of BrightView shares. Additionally, continued positive net new sales in our Maintenance Segment and robust backlogs and proactive initiatives to offset inflation in our Development Segment are why I am confident in our ability to deliver continued profitable growth.”

Scag, Kujo Yardwear collaborate for shoe collection

Takeuchi taps Wenzel as new Southeast regional business manager
Eric Wenzel will manage all sales activity in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi. Takeuchi-US has named Eric Wenzel as its new Southeast regional business manager (RBM). Wenzel will be responsible for managing all sales activity in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi. His duties will include dealer development and recruitment, inventory control, forecasting, promotions and the support of national and direct accounts. “With our North American headquarters located in Georgia, the Southeastern U.S. has always been a  vital piece of our overall business considering the opportunity we have in the region,” said John Vranches, Eastern division sales manager for Takeuchi-US. “Eric has a unique background that broadly spans sales and operations management in the equipment marketplace. He is a hands-on, solutions-oriented manager with a proven track record of developing strong relationships resulting in increased productivity and growth.”
Based in the Savannah, Ga. area, Wenzel comes to Takeuchi from H&E Equipment Services where he served as a district manager responsible for multiple states. Prior to holding that position, he was a branch manager. He holds a bachelor’s degree from McPherson College in McPherson, Kansas. “I’ve spent my entire career expanding my sales and management experience in the industry,” Wenzel said. “As I took on more responsibility over the years, I developed my problem solving, team building and customer relationship skills. I’m excited to take what I’ve learned and put it to work for Takeuchi, a growing company with a strong, customer-driven focus.”
For more information on Takeuchi dealers, visit the Takeuchi dealer page . Maximum Value Partners , a small business coaching practice owned and operated by Adam Sonnhalter and Jack Mencini, recently created a landscaper division of its small business coaching practice. The new division will offer consulting services specific to the landscaping businesses in the areas of sales, marketing, operation and finance. “The seasonal nature of a landscaping business — particularly the ones we’ve worked with in the greater Cleveland area — make it rather unique from the other trades,” said Jack Mencini, who began MVP with Adam back in 2003. “A large component of coaching landscapers is teaching them how to be more operationally efficient during busy season and more productive during the ‘off season’ in the winter.”
Part of MVP’s work involves recruitment and training seasonal staff. Many landscapers had previously utilized the H-2B visa program for seasonal workers. With increased restrictions over the past few years, landscapers have had to find and develop staff on a local basis, a large challenge in today’s job market. MVP also helps landscapers develop a transparent work culture featuring frequent staff meeting and sharing business plans and goals and making employee satisfaction part of the company brand. That includes utilizing social media pages to showcase the work of staff members. "I guess it’s not much of a coincidence that we’ve worked with so many landscapers," Sonnhalter said. "Jack and I actually met when I was a caddie and he was a wannabe scratch golfer. More than 30 years later—20 of those as business partners — we still gravitate towards finely manicured lawns and the people who make that happen.”
For more information about MVP’s landscaper division and its other services, click here or call (877) 849-0670.You can also get to know MVP by tuning into its podcast, Dirty Secrets of Small Business, on your favorite podcast player and its website. Scag, Kujo Yardwear collaborate for shoe collection
The co-branded shoes are designed specifically for the green industry. RALIEGH, N.C. — Work footwear brand Kujo Yardwear announced today that it is launching a  co-branded version of their “Yard Shoe” with Scag Power Equipment. The shoe will have a unique colorway of black, grey and Scag “Cat’s Eye Gold”. The new Kujo + Scag Yard shoes will be available late March, 2022. The shoes are available for pre-order now at www.kujo.com . The Yard Shoe is Kujo Yardwear’s best-selling product. According to the company, it was the first and only shoe designed specifically for lawn care and landscaping. The shoe combines boot-like features (water- resistance, sturdy grip, durability) with the best features of an athletic shoe (comfortable, light-weight, breathable). “These high-performance Yard Shoes are the perfect fit when using your Scag mower, spreader/sprayer or blower,” said Meghan McCabe, corporate marketing manager for Metalcraft of Mayville / Scag Power Equipment. “We’re really excited for this new and unique collaboration.”
“The lawn care community has been a huge supporter of our footwear, and they have been asking for a Scag version. We’re so fortunate to be partnering with a high-quality company like Scag, to offer this to the green industry,” said Kujo Founder Shawn Langton. Jobber reveals new Home Service Economic Report
The report indicates green businesses have seen a rapid adoption of online payments. The report features expert insights and proprietary data aggregated from more than 160,000 residential cleaners, landscapers, HVAC technicians, window washers, plumbers and more who use Jobber. “The performance of the Home Service category has made the trades an attractive option for entrepreneurs, those seeking a career change, and young adults entering the workforce,” said Sam Pillar, CEO & co-founder of Jobber. “2021 was a notable year as it demonstrated just how essential the Home Service category is with its high growth and unprecedented consumer demand.”
Among noteworthy findings for the green industry:
The green segment, which      includes outdoor services such as pressure washing, lawn care, and      landscaping, experienced high growth in new work scheduled during 2021,      while other segments slowed down
Green businesses, which      showed the lowest percentage of online payments prior to the pandemic, has      seen rapid adoption, climbing over 35%
The ratio of hires to      job openings continued to grow, such that job openings widely outnumbered      positions being filled
Primera recently announced several staffing changes. John Smith has been named vice president of supplier relations. Most recently, Smith served as vice president of commercial technologies at Amguard, where just this past year, he led the Amguard team to record year. Smith brings a unique background in finance, distribution and supplier experience. Rachel Boehm, who has served Primera’s membership for over nine years, has accepted an opportunity with Primera member Heritage Landscape & Supply Group. During her career, Boehm has been in all facets of the business, beginning with her role as customer service representative to her most recent role as director of cooperative services. In conjunction with Boehm’s new role, Morgan Cothern has been promoted to the position of cooperative services manager. For the last six years, Cothern has worked with the membership, continuing to help advance key initiatives and provide superior customer service to the cooperative.

Takeuchi taps Wenzel as new Southeast regional business manager

Heartland acquires multiple companies
Heartland recently announced 7 acquisitions the company made in 2020. “Our formula for success is simple; we strive to partner with the entrepreneurs who’ve built market leading brands with exceptional culture and growth potential," said HeartLand’s Founder and CEO Ed Schatz. "Not surprisingly, our strategy resonates with owners who place a high value on finding the right partner who will respect their brand and create opportunity for their people.”
“Each of these companies are highly-regarded leaders in the markets they serve, and we’re honored to welcome them as partners” said Rob McDonnell, HeartLand’s chief acquisition officer. “These owners have built companies with stellar reputations by living and working according to their core values; they were seeking a robust platform for the continued growth of their team members and HeartLand offered that.”
Mainscape (Founded 1995) – Washington, D.C. / Baltimore (July)
MainScapes provides full-service grounds maintenance to planned communities in suburban areas. The company is a complementary addition to Heritage Landscape Services, a HeartLand portfolio company in northern Virginia. “We have always held the dedication to customer service as a high priority and know that our number one asset is our team members," said Joe O’Brien, long-term operations leader at MainScapes. "Our shared alignment and core values have made the transition seamless. Our team members are being offered great growth opportunities and that is extremely exciting”
Cutting Edge Services (Founded 1995) – Boise / Salt Lake City / Denver (September)
Cutting Edge in Boise, Idaho, services office, retail, planned communities and multi-family properties. The company expanded in recent years to Salt Lake City, Utah and Denver, Colorado. The company was ranked No. 65 on the 2021 Lawn & Landscape Top 100. Co-owner Bob Wheeler says “It is exciting to see our people adapt and embrace the changes that have come their way as we have accelerated our growth over the past few years. We have continued to maintain our quality and commitments to our clients while improving growth opportunities for our entire team.” Co-owner Ben Helton added “Our joint leadership allows us to prioritize different sides of the business with a unique focus unmatched in our region. Growing the right way has provided valuable opportunities for our team and clients across the locations we serve.”
Perficut Companies (Founded 1989) – Des Moines / Cedar Rapids / Omaha (October)
Based in Des Moines, Iowa, Perficut provides grounds maintenance and winter services to commercial clients across all market segments, with a significant presence in industrial, retail, office, and medical sectors. The company also serves Cedar Rapids in eastern Iowa and into Omaha, Nebraska. Perficut president Matt Boelman had this to say about the qualities that have enabled the company to grow and expand: “Perficut has always honored its strong Core Values to build a collaborative team of Passionate, Respectful, Honest and Dedicated individuals to serve our clients and our employees. Our partnership with HeartLand will enhance our ability to continue delivering exceptional service in the future.”
Landscape Services, Inc. / “LSI” (Founded 1988) – Nashville (November)
LSI is a family-run commercial landscape service business in Nashville. LSI  serves clients in planned communities, office, multi-family and education, as well as other commercial market sectors. LSI had grown to become No. 72 in the Lawn & Landscape Top 100. “We believe that living by our core values including doing what we say we are going to do and always doing the right thing are the golden rules to earning the trust and respect of our team members and our clients,” said Doug Stacey, LSI’s president. “Those core values align well with the HeartLand vision and leadership, which is why we are excited to be a part of the HeartLand family.”
Sharp’s Landscaping (Founded 1991) – Philadelphia (November)
Sharp’s is a commercial company in the greater Philadelphia market with a focus on multi-family, healthcare, university, office, industrial and planned communities. Founder Jim Sharp selected Mike Donahue to lead the business, which he has done since 2016. “Sharp’s has been able to grow and thrive in the tri-state area by keeping the needs of the client as priority one,” Donahue said. “This belief has become part of the company culture and has been passed along to the organization from Jim Sharp himself. Companies like ours want to collaborate with a partner that looks out for their interests, deliver what they say they are going to, and quickly respond to feedback.”
Total Environment (Founded 1992) – Oklahoma City (December)
Total Environment maintains properties in the Oklahoma City market, including planned communities and the luxury  homes within them. A founder with a vivid vision has the opportunity to create a business that will stand the test of time. explains how he did it: “I think it comes down to three things," said Founder Ty Hartwig about building a successful company. “First, assembling a talented staff. Second, paying attention to the details; we notice things that most lawn care companies don’t see. Third, providing multiple services with only one client contact. People are busy and if they can call one person, their account manager, to handle multiple things it simplifies their lives.”
Merit Landscape Solutions (Founded 1976) – Western New Jersey / Philadelphia / Houston, Austin, Dallas - Fort Worth, San Antonio TX (December)
With commercial landscape operations in the Northeast and in Texas, Merit was ready for a new partner who could embrace their expansive geography and help them grow. “The northeast Merit team is very grateful and excited about the opportunity to partner with HeartLand and welcomes their support as we continue to grow the business and provide our clients with quality service rooted in partnership," said owner Joe Hoey. "With this type of opportunity, the future is unlimited.”
“Our business has experienced an amazing transformation over the last couple of years, including clients, team members and the processes we use to deliver excellence,” said Rob Cyprus, who leads the company’s South Central U.S and Texas operations. “The opportunity to partner with a unique and successful team in HeartLand allows Merit access to key resources that will provide the support necessary to grow with our current customer base by entering into new relationships with clients who are looking for our type of focused service approach. We are thrilled to be part of the HeartLand portfolio and are excited about the next chapter for Merit.”
Takeuchi-US has named Eric Wenzel as its new Southeast regional business manager (RBM). Wenzel will be responsible for managing all sales activity in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi. His duties will include dealer development and recruitment, inventory control, forecasting, promotions and the support of national and direct accounts. “With our North American headquarters located in Georgia, the Southeastern U.S. has always been a  vital piece of our overall business considering the opportunity we have in the region,” said John Vranches, Eastern division sales manager for Takeuchi-US. “Eric has a unique background that broadly spans sales and operations management in the equipment marketplace. He is a hands-on, solutions-oriented manager with a proven track record of developing strong relationships resulting in increased productivity and growth.”
Based in the Savannah, Ga. area, Wenzel comes to Takeuchi from H&E Equipment Services where he served as a district manager responsible for multiple states. Prior to holding that position, he was a branch manager. He holds a bachelor’s degree from McPherson College in McPherson, Kansas. “I’ve spent my entire career expanding my sales and management experience in the industry,” Wenzel said. “As I took on more responsibility over the years, I developed my problem solving, team building and customer relationship skills. I’m excited to take what I’ve learned and put it to work for Takeuchi, a growing company with a strong, customer-driven focus.”
For more information on Takeuchi dealers, visit the Takeuchi dealer page . Maximum Value Partners , a small business coaching practice owned and operated by Adam Sonnhalter and Jack Mencini, recently created a landscaper division of its small business coaching practice. The new division will offer consulting services specific to the landscaping businesses in the areas of sales, marketing, operation and finance. “The seasonal nature of a landscaping business — particularly the ones we’ve worked with in the greater Cleveland area — make it rather unique from the other trades,” said Jack Mencini, who began MVP with Adam back in 2003. “A large component of coaching landscapers is teaching them how to be more operationally efficient during busy season and more productive during the ‘off season’ in the winter.”
Part of MVP’s work involves recruitment and training seasonal staff. Many landscapers had previously utilized the H-2B visa program for seasonal workers. With increased restrictions over the past few years, landscapers have had to find and develop staff on a local basis, a large challenge in today’s job market. MVP also helps landscapers develop a transparent work culture featuring frequent staff meeting and sharing business plans and goals and making employee satisfaction part of the company brand. That includes utilizing social media pages to showcase the work of staff members. "I guess it’s not much of a coincidence that we’ve worked with so many landscapers," Sonnhalter said. "Jack and I actually met when I was a caddie and he was a wannabe scratch golfer. More than 30 years later—20 of those as business partners — we still gravitate towards finely manicured lawns and the people who make that happen.”
For more information about MVP’s landscaper division and its other services, click here or call (877) 849-0670.You can also get to know MVP by tuning into its podcast, Dirty Secrets of Small Business, on your favorite podcast player and its website. Scag, Kujo Yardwear collaborate for shoe collection
The co-branded shoes are designed specifically for the green industry. RALIEGH, N.C. — Work footwear brand Kujo Yardwear announced today that it is launching a  co-branded version of their “Yard Shoe” with Scag Power Equipment. The shoe will have a unique colorway of black, grey and Scag “Cat’s Eye Gold”. The new Kujo + Scag Yard shoes will be available late March, 2022. The shoes are available for pre-order now at www.kujo.com . The Yard Shoe is Kujo Yardwear’s best-selling product. According to the company, it was the first and only shoe designed specifically for lawn care and landscaping. The shoe combines boot-like features (water- resistance, sturdy grip, durability) with the best features of an athletic shoe (comfortable, light-weight, breathable). “These high-performance Yard Shoes are the perfect fit when using your Scag mower, spreader/sprayer or blower,” said Meghan McCabe, corporate marketing manager for Metalcraft of Mayville / Scag Power Equipment. “We’re really excited for this new and unique collaboration.”
“The lawn care community has been a huge supporter of our footwear, and they have been asking for a Scag version. We’re so fortunate to be partnering with a high-quality company like Scag, to offer this to the green industry,” said Kujo Founder Shawn Langton. Jobber reveals new Home Service Economic Report
The report indicates green businesses have seen a rapid adoption of online payments. The report features expert insights and proprietary data aggregated from more than 160,000 residential cleaners, landscapers, HVAC technicians, window washers, plumbers and more who use Jobber. “The performance of the Home Service category has made the trades an attractive option for entrepreneurs, those seeking a career change, and young adults entering the workforce,” said Sam Pillar, CEO & co-founder of Jobber. “2021 was a notable year as it demonstrated just how essential the Home Service category is with its high growth and unprecedented consumer demand.”
Among noteworthy findings for the green industry:
The green segment, which      includes outdoor services such as pressure washing, lawn care, and      landscaping, experienced high growth in new work scheduled during 2021,      while other segments slowed down
Green businesses, which      showed the lowest percentage of online payments prior to the pandemic, has      seen rapid adoption, climbing over 35%
The ratio of hires to      job openings continued to grow, such that job openings widely outnumbered      positions being filled

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Kujo Yardwear designs yard footwear. The shoes has the water-resistance and durability of a work boot, the grip of a soccer cleat, and the comfort, flexibility, breathability and light weight of an athletic shoe.

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