BrightView buys 100 new electric vehicles

BrightView recently100 electric-powered Chevrolet Bolt EUVs that will be put into service across the country, beginning this month. With the deployment of these new cars, BrightView’s management fleet is now comprised of nearly 400 electric and hybrid vehicles.

The new vehicles will be broadly deployed across at least 15 states, including California, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Texas and Florida.

Over the next four years, the company’s aim is to convert its fleet of 3,000 field managers’ vehicles to electric and hybrid. Today’s announcement — and similar enterprise efforts — is a part of BrightView’s overall environmental sustainability strategy of reducing its carbon footprint and becoming carbon neutral by 2035.

“As a company dedicated to developing, designing, and maintaining the best landscapes on Earth, we are continually seeking sustainable solutions that minimize our impact on the environment,” said Andrew Masterman, BrightView president and CEO. “The addition of electric and hybrid vehicles is yet another example of our commitment to investing in the future of our planet and achieving our environmental goals.”

Douglas Dynamics is raffling off a new plow for breast cancer awareness.

At the Hot Pink Helpers Breast Cancer Charity Golf Outing on Friday, Oct. 7, one lucky winner will receive a brand-new plow and installation.

Tickets are $100 and you do not have to be present to win.

For more information, click here.

El Paso-based Accent Landscape Contractors is now a fully employee-owned enterprise. 

Apis & Heritage Capital Partners recently converted both Accent and Apex Plumbing in Denver to employee-owned businesses.

"We're immensely proud to announce these groundbreaking partnerships with Apex Plumbing and Accent Landscape Contractors. Not only will they preserve jobs and generate wealth for the employees, but they will also help to ensure the long-term sustainability of these great businesses in their communities," said Todd Leverette, A&H founding partner. "We're grateful to all of our partners, including Democracy at Work Institute and The Rockefeller Foundation, as well as visionary owners, Brian and DeAnn Wilkie of Apex Plumbing and Cameron Stevens of Accent Landscape Contractors, for sharing our vision of increasing economic equity and entrusting our fund with helping their employees to own their future."

"I could have sold my business to a competitor or private equity, but I know what can happen next – the culture changes and people get laid off. I didn't want that for my employees. They are like family to me, and they helped build the company," said Cameron Stevens, founder and owner of Accent Landscape Contractors. "A&H offered me a fair market price, did not require me to carry a large seller's note, cut through all of the red tape, and showed me throughout the process that my workers were going to be able to carry Accent forward. I'd like to express my gratitude to A&H and their investment partners for making this transition to employee ownership possible." 

A&H finds businesses with large workforces of color where the owner is ready to retire and provides financing and technical support to convert the companies into 100% employee-owned businesses.

"Closing the racial wealth gap is why we created A&H," said Phil Reeves, A&H founding partner. "Today, over 40% of all Americans surveyed report they could not easily pay an unexpected $400 medical bill while about 2/3 of Black and Latino workers retire with no savings. Whereas, the average employee in an employee-owned business in the US nearing retirement has $147,000 in his or her ESOP account, which we think will be transformative for our workers, their families, and their communities."

Attentive Inc, the Delaware based business management software provider for landscaping and other outdoor services industries, has brought Shawn Prince onboard as its head of business development.

The announcement comes days after the company raised $5 million from Sequoia India’s Surge Fund and InfoEdge Ventures. According to Attentive, the appointment is a part of the company's vision of bringing business management software that promotes productivity and growth to the $200 billion outdoor services industry.

“We are excited to have Shawn onboard and lead our business development in the U.S.,” said Shiva Dhawan, Co-founder & CEO of Attentive. “Shawn is an established leader in the landscaping industry. With over 17 years of experience in the industry across sales and operations, he understands the problems faced by the industry, which aligns with our vision of being problem-first in building solutions.”

Prince will lead business development for Attentive’s software products for the landscaping and other outdoor services businesses.

“Attentive’s automated software is the breakthrough the commercial landscaping industry has been waiting for. I have worked long enough in the industry to realize the value Attentive is bringing to the table. I’m looking forward to adding value to the team and driving business growth with Attentive,” he said.

Prior to joining Attentive, Prince worked with Continuum Services as the VP of business development. Before that, he held multiple positions with BrightView, including regional sales leader, business development executive and branch manager. He started his career with The Brickman Group (now BrightView Landscapes) and worked there for 10 years in business development and operations.

Attentive is also all set to launch its end-to-end sales automation platform on Aug 8.

SavATree has merged with Wisconsin-based tree care company, Buckley The Tree Care Specialists. This merger introduces SavATree’s presence in the Milwaukee market, serving customers throughout Southeast Wisconsin and the surrounding areas.

Since 1963, Buckley The Tree Care Specialists has served customers in the Greater Milwaukee area. Owner Tim Harris and his team will stay on with SavATree.

READ MORE: SavATree also merged with a Utah-based company recently

“The partnership between SavATree and Buckley enhances our ability to expand service offerings while gaining support from a leader in the green industry," Harris said. "Additionally, SavATree’s professional approach and commitment to both their employees and customers really aligns with the values and standards we’ve set at Buckley The Tree Care Specialists."

“We are delighted to partner with Buckley The Tree Care Specialists! Joining forces with a company like Buckley The Tree Care Specialists will allow us to provide professional services to a broader range of customers and to also have a stronger presence in the Mid-West, as this merger marks our first two locations in the Milwaukee area,” said SavATree CEO, Carmine Schiavone.

You can contact us to get more choices