ATLANTA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Warren Equity Partners (“Warren Equity”), a lower middle market private equity fund, is pleased to announce the formation of GUNNISON (the “Company”), a platform focused on vegetation management services for utility, residential, commercial, and government end markets, as well as the acquisitions of Pittman’s Tree and Landscaping (“Pittman”), West Tree Service, and Woodson Incorporated (“Woodson”). Warren Equity has completed seven acquisitions since establishing the original platform in 2020. Financial terms of the transactions were not disclosed.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, GUNNISON provides comprehensive tree removal, right-of-way maintenance, and tree management services to electric utilities, residential homes, commercial buildings, and municipalities. GUNNISON provides turnkey vegetation management programs with the capability to leverage best practices and combined scale throughout the organization and across the United States.
“We are excited to build a best-in-class vegetation management organization that is local in service, but national in scale,” said Michael Zhang, Principal at Warren Equity. “The fragmented vegetation management industry is ripe for consolidation of regional market leaders who, together on the same team, will better serve our customers and play a critical role in maintaining the aging electric grid.”
Pittman, based in Front Royal, Virginia, is a leading provider of vegetation management services to utilities and government customers in the Mid-Atlantic United States. West Tree Service, based in Little Rock, Arkansas, is a leading provider of vegetation management services to utilities in the South-Central United States. Woodson, based in Little Rock, Arkansas, is a leading provider of tree removal and right-of-way clearing services for utilities and municipalities in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic United States. Calley Pittman of Pittman, Ford Overton of West Tree Service, and Steve Woodson of Woodson will continue to lead their respective companies and will maintain significant equity stakes in GUNNISON. Matt Cathell, the founder of Gunnison Tree Services and a significant shareholder in the Company, will serve as CEO of GUNNISON.
“Warren Equity’s knowledge of the utility service industry and experience in scaling similar types of companies have been instrumental to the formation of GUNNISON,” said Matt Cathell, CEO of GUNNISON. “We are well-positioned to achieve our strategic growth plan, both organically and through add-on acquisitions, while continuing to provide our customers quality service.”
“GUNNISON will unlock numerous synergies together, including pooled resources, best practices, and access to more capital,” said Calley Pittman, CEO of Pittman. “We will maintain our focus on servicing our customers locally, but this strategic partnership allows us to leverage our combined scale to better serve our customers.”
“I am excited to be part of the GUNNISON family, which shares similar core values with West Tree Service regarding safety, integrity, and people,” said Ford Overton, CEO of West Tree Service. “It is business as usual at West Tree Service, and we are well positioned for growth by being a part of GUNNISON.”
“GUNNISON was the perfect fit due to its strong reputation, geographic diversification, and cultural alignment,” added Steve Woodson, CEO of Woodson. “Safety and people will remain our priorities at GUNNISON going forward.”
The GUNNISON platform includes Gunnison Tree Services, New Urban Forestry, Oddjob Tree Specialists, Redfern Tree Service, Pittman, West Tree Service, and Woodson. Warren Equity has completed 52 acquisitions since its formation in mid-2015.
About Warren Equity Partners
Warren Equity Partners is a private equity firm that invests in small and middle market operating companies primarily in North America. The firm invests in established companies where additional capital and operating resources can accelerate growth, targeting companies in the industrial services, industrial products, business services, and distribution sectors. Warren Equity invests in the form of buyouts, growth equity, and recapitalizations. For more information, please visit http://www.warrenequity.com.
About GUNNISON
Formed in 2021 and based in Atlanta, Georgia, GUNNISON is a super-regional leader in turnkey vegetation management services for utility, residential, commercial, and government customers across the United States. GUNNISON prides itself in providing old-fashioned customer service by listening to the needs of its clients and providing services that work best for essential customer needs. GUNNISON’s hands-on approach, unparalleled service, and stellar safety record sets GUNNISON apart. Today, GUNNISON provides services in over 20 states, has over 1,500 employees, and continues to grow across the country. For more information, please visit https://gunnisoncompany.com/.
About Pittman’s Tree and Landscaping
Pittman’s Tree and Landscaping is a Virginia based corporation established in 1993 that operates throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States. Pittman’s mission is to provide its customers with the highest quality vegetation management services. These services include tree pruning, removal, herbicide application, and emergency storm services to utility, residential, and commercial customers. For more information, please visit http://www.pittmansinc.com.
About West Tree Service
Founded in 1945, West Tree Service is a leading provider of vegetation management services to utilities in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Louisiana. West Tree Service has consistently provided utilities with reliable and professional Right of Way (“ROW”) maintenance services. These services include tree trimming and removal, herbicide application, and mowing to provide utilities with a clear and manageable ROW. West Tree Service’s customers include Investor-Owned Utilities cooperatives, municipalities, and gas pipeline companies. For more information, please visit http://www.westtree.com.
About Woodson
Since 1980, Woodson Incorporated has provided individuals, corporations, and governmental agencies with best-in-class tree removal and ROW clearing vegetation management services. Woodson’s roots began with forestry services, and an array of additional services have been added to reach its customer’s needs. For more information, please visit http://www.woodsonincorporated.com.
Contacts
Jessie McClellan
(706) 424-0047
“Warren Equity’s knowledge of the utility service industry and experience in scaling similar types of companies have been instrumental to the formation of GUNNISON”