Vesterra-backed Bland Landscaping adds two South Carolina landscaping, aquatics firms

• Charleston Grounds Management, founded by Lee Hickman, serves Charleston-area HOA, townhome and multifamily clients with landscape maintenance, irrigation and enhancement work
• Clear Lakes and Wetland Services, founded by Ken Robinson, handles lake, pond and fountain management plus fish stocking for Myrtle Beach commercial customers
• The deal extends Bland’s existing 17-branch Southeast footprint into aquatics services

Vesterra Capital Partners, formerly known as Comvest Private Equity, has backed portfolio company Bland Landscaping in two add-on acquisitions in South Carolina: Charleston Grounds Management (CGM) and Clear Lakes and Wetland Services (CLAWS).

Bland Landscaping is a regional commercial and estate landscape management and contracting business headquartered in Apex, North Carolina, with 17 branch locations across the Southeast. The additions of CGM and CLAWS build out Bland’s presence in landscaping and aquatics services in the region.

CGM, founded by Lee Hickman, provides landscaping services to commercial customers in the Charleston area, with a focus on homeowner association, townhome and multifamily clients; its offerings span landscape maintenance, enhancements, irrigation, flowers and aquatics work.

CLAWS, founded by Ken Robinson, provides aquatics services to commercial customers in Myrtle Beach, primarily homeowner associations, covering lake and pond management, fountain sales and maintenance, and fish stocking.

“These acquisitions reflect Bland’s success partnering with established, founder-led businesses in great markets,” said Matt Kunz, partner at Vesterra. “CGM and CLAWS strengthen Bland’s position in South Carolina and further enhance Bland’s ability to serve customers across the Southeast.”

Vesterra is a lower middle market investment firm focused on control investments in the services economy, partnering with companies across business and infrastructure, healthcare, and consumer sectors. Headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida, the firm manages approximately $1.9 billion in assets.

Editor’s note: This news brief was produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence.