Consolidation continues in the lawn and landscape industry with Levine Leichtman Capital Partners purchase of Lawn Doctor Inc., a leading franchisor of lawn care services, which operates through a nationwide network of over 460 independently-owned franchise locations in 38 states.  Levine Leichtman, a Los Angeles-based private equity firm, invested $17.5 million in the acquisition of Lawn Doctor and secured an undisclosed amount of debt financing from Fifth Third Bank. (more…)

Massey Services acquired American Pest Control Management in move to further bolster the Company’s presence on Florida’s Southwest coast. This is Massey’s first acquisition since the integration of the Sunair / Middleton transaction.

Based in Southwest Florida, American Pest Control Management has been providing services to more than 7,000 homes and businesses in counties from Tampa to Naples.

“American Pest Control Management has been a well-respected company in Florida for the last 20 years.  Their commitment to quality service is an excellent fit with our company,” said Tony Massey, President and COO of Massey Services. “We are pleased to welcome the entire team from American Pest Control Management to the Massey Services family.”

Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. acquired Federal Petroleum Company, an independent propane retailer with locations in Weslasco and Brownsville, Texas. The acquisition opens new market areas for Ferrellgas and marks the partnership’s second acquisition of its young fiscal year, which began August 1, 2011. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
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Orbis Security Solutions has annual sales of MSEK 76 (MZAR 90) and approximately 1,500 employees. The company offers specialized guarding solutions in the Western Cape Province.

With this acquisition, Securitas in South Africa has approximately 3,000 employees, with operations in guarding, mobile, alarm monitoring, technology, forensics and risk management services. Securitas also becomes one of the top 3 security services companies in the Western Cape region, one of the 3 key economic regions in South Africa.

The acquisition is consolidated in Securitas AB as of October 1, 2011

Monsanto Co. acquired Beeologics, a startup that researches and develops biological tools for targeted pest and disease control and protecting bee health. (more…)