LOS ANGELES-Commercial real estate landscaping company, the Brickman Group recently acquired a Gardena-based, family-owned company, Dworsky Landscape Services, which currently services commercial properties such as Hughes Center, Sun America and Equity Office Properties. As GlobeSt.com previously reported, the acquisition adds 1,000 employees and four new L.A.-area offices to Brickman’s docket. GlobeSt.com recently spoke more in depth with Mike Bogan, executive vice president of the Brickman Group, on the deal, and on the world of commercial landscaping.
GlobeSt.com: How does this entrance in the L.A. market affect Brickman’s nationwide growth and acquisition strategy?
Bogan: Acquisitions are not a major driver of our growth. As a result, in a typical year, we only do a couple of them. We don’t expect the Los Angeles acquisition to cause any deviation off of that pace. We do, however, expect it to have a very positive effect on our long-term growth. Brickman’s strategy is and always has been to focus on organic growth: taking great care of our existing customers and gaining more customers in those markets.
GlobeSt.com: Why is a family-owned company like Dworsky attractive to Brickman?
Bogan: We enjoy great synergy with companies like Dworsky because they innately mesh with the Brickman culture. Brickman was founded on a family tradition of service in 1939 and it is a tradition that continues to this day with Scott Brickman, the grandson of the founder, serving as our CEO. The Dworsky family of leaders will continue to delight customers and grow the Los Angeles market.
GlobeSt.com: Had you had other opportunities like this in the L.A. market?
Bogan: We have had other opportunities to enter the Greater L.A. market, but finding a company with the overall right fit was paramount. With the platform and the client base that this acquisition gives us, we are excited about our prospects for growing and strengthening the Brickman brand in California.
GlobeSt.com: Why is L.A. such an attractive market for commercial landscaping?
Bogan: The Los Angeles area is one of the largest commercial real estate markets in the US, and the headquarters for many institutional owners of real estate.
GlobeSt.com: How has the commercial real estate climate affected Brickman?
Bogan: Obviously, with declining rents and increasing vacancy, most owners of commercial real estate have seen their gross operating income decline significantly over the last few years. Such owners have little choice but to look to the expense side of the equation to preserve their evaporating NOI. Thus, in order to adjust to the “new normal,” businesses like Brickman have had to work very hard to reduce costs and increase efficiencies.
GlobeSt.com: Tell me a bit more about what Brickman brings to the table? What do you offer?
Bogan: Brickman does commercial landscape maintenance, landscape enhancements, design/build and installation, snow removal, irrigation, tree care, sports turf and sustainability. We service all types of properties, including office, industrial, retail, hospitality, multifamily, homeowner associations, and institutions. We have enjoyed an outstanding reputation for our expertise in enhancing and maintaining landscapes around the nation since 1939. We strive to deliver consistent, value-based service no matter what our clients’ budgets dictate. Simply stated, we are driven by a passion to delight the customer and a desire to exceed their expectations.
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Natalie Dolce
Natalie Dolce, editor-in-chief of GlobeSt.com and GlobeSt. Real Estate Forum, is responsible for working with editorial staff, freelancers and senior management to help plan the overarching vision that encompasses GlobeSt.com, including short-term and long-term goals for the website, how content integrates through the company’s other product lines and the overall quality of content. Previously she served as national executive editor and editor of the West Coast region for GlobeSt.com and Real Estate Forum, and was responsible for coverage of news and information pertaining to that vital real estate region. Prior to moving out to the Southern California office, she was Northeast bureau chief, covering New York City for GlobeSt.com. Her background includes a stint at InStyle Magazine, and as managing editor with New York Press, an alternative weekly New York City paper. In her career, she has also covered a variety of beats for M magazine, Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel, FashionLedge.com, and Co-Ed magazine. Dolce has also freelanced for a number of publications, including MSNBC.com and Museums New York magazine.
