Uncertainty Over Capital Gains Tax Rates Remains

Not long ago, an executive of a potential buyer for one of our clients asked me if my client was pressing for a close by December 31 to take advantage of the lower capital gains rates.  The question caught me a little off-guard for a couple of reasons.  First, it is very late in the year to be trying to get a deal closed by year-end.  Second, I have been largely taking it for granted, perhaps unwisely, that the lower capital gains rates would be extended for at least another year. Political turmoil always creates risks and opportunities.  Uncertainty is … Read more

Swingle Expands in Colorado’s Northern Front Range

Denver, CO – Swingle Lawn, Tree & Landscape Care, now celebrating 63 years in business, today announced the customer acquisition of two tree care companies that will help further expand the Swingle brand in Colorado’s Northern Front Range markets. Both Conservative Tree Care, Inc and Arbor Care Plus searched for a locally owned company with exceptional customer service and expertise which their customers had come to expect.  Each of these two companies also realized the benefit of Swingle’s expanded service lines as their former customers would gain a single point of contact for lawn care and tree care as well … Read more

Orkin Acquires Florida Pest and Lawn Company

From Pest Control Technology ATLANTA — Orkin recently expanded its employee base and service area with the acquisition of Sorrentino’s Pest Control, based in Sebastian, Fla. “Sorrentino’s has provided customers with quality pest control for almost 15 years,” said Greg Clendenin, Orkin’s Southeast division president. “We look forward to expanding Orkin’s customer base in south Florida and gaining valuable local employees.” Rick and Krissi Sorrentino founded Sorrentino’s Pest Control in 1996, serving as office administrator and head of sales and service respectively. Prior to starting Sorrentino’s, Rick worked for local pest control companies in Sebastian, Fla. for five years. Today, … Read more

Thoughts on the Upcoming Green Industry Conference

The Green Industry Conference in Louisville, Kentucky is one of my favorite events of the year, partly for practical reasons and partly because that I find it is actually a fun event. On the practical side, there is no better networking venue than this one.  Lawn and landscape professionals and business owners from all over the country all in one place, eager to share ideas and benefit from the experiences of their peers in other parts of the country.  The Breakfast with Champions event, which I have had the honor to participate in for the last three years is the … Read more

Exit Planning: Understanding Your Objectives

This is the second in a series of articles on exit planning in the green industry.  This article will focus on what we consider to be the first step in effective exit planning, which is understanding your objectives. Understanding your own objectives may not be quite as simple as it may appear. I thought it might be interesting to share some of the objectives people have told me that they have in exit planning: * What I really want to do is pass the business on to my children, but I don’t know how to make that work. * My … Read more