Dallas, Texas — April 30, 2008 — Gridiron Capital, LLC, in partnership with management, today
announced the formation of the Yellowstone Landscape Group, Inc. Yellowstone, headquartered in
Dallas, Texas, completed the acquisition of Houston, Texas based BIO Landscape & Maintenance,
Inc and Atlanta, Georgia based Piedmont Landscape Contractors, LLC. These acquisitions expand
the Company’s position as a leading environmental steward and provider of commercial and estate
landscape services in the Southeast and South Central United States. Amvest Financial Group
served as an advisor to Gridiron in the transaction.
“Our management team is extremely excited to become owners of Yellowstone, and we are thankful
for Gridiron’s financial commitment and partnership with the Company,” stated John Miller, CEO of
Yellowstone. “Together we will be able to utilize our management and industry experience and build
on BIO and Piedmont’s leadership to accelerate market share growth, expand our service offering
and differentiation while supporting our customers efforts more aggressively in other U.S. markets,”
stated Judy Guido, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Yellowstone.
Yellowstone has grown to become one of the 20 largest landscape services companies in the United
States and is a market-leader in landscape services in its focus markets, serving the Southeast,
South Central and Southwest United States. The Company’s environmental focus, customer
service orientation, desire to expand its geographic reach and belief in the value of its employees as
the drivers of a Company’s success, complements the culture at both BIO and Piedmont. The
Company looks to identify opportunities within each of its platform markets and achieve growth
through cross-training, expanding service offerings, sharing best practices throughout the
organization and strategic acquisitions.
“Yellowstone has carved out a strong niche as the leader in innovative services adding value to their
customers’ properties. Creating value for customers is consistent with Gridiron’s strategy of
partnering with superior management teams and owners to build businesses and add value by
providing the support necessary to grow and realize the companies’ full potential,” said Gridiron
Capital Managing Partner Eugene Conese Jr. “BIO and Piedmont are premier brands within the
highly-fragmented $50 billion landscape services industry. Combined, BIO and Piedmont’s
comprehensive service offering and diverse customer base will allow them to build on their proven
track record of profitable growth in a dynamic sector,” stated Gridiron Capital Principal Owen
Tharrington.
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
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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 portfolio
includes Schutt Sports, PAS Technologies, Ramsey Winch, Auto Crane, McKenzie Sports and
Electronic Systems Protection. Visit www.gridironcapital.com for more information.
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, multifamily,
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 green initiatives, the Yellowstone Group provides its
customers with a premium comprehensive service offering. Visit www.yellowstonelandscape.com for
more information.
About BIO:
BIO Landscape & Maintenance, Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, offering a full range of
commercial and institutional services for customer types including governmental, commercial,
general contractors and home owners associations. Visit www.biolandscape.com for more
information.
About Piedmont:
Piedmont Landscape Contractors, LLC, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, provides comprehensive
maintenance and installation services for retail, commercial, municipal, industrial and multi-family
communities. Visit www.piedmontlandscape.com for more information.
Press Contacts:
Eugene P. Conese, Jr., Managing Partner, Gridiron Capital, LLC
[email protected]; (203) 972-1100 x 102
Owen G. Tharrington, Principal, Gridiron Capital, LLC
[email protected]; (203) 972-1100 x 310
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