Bartlett Tree Experts, No. 5 on the 2021 LM150 list with $352,000,000 in 2020 revenue, has acquired S.P. McClenahan Co. of Portola Valley, Calif. The company said this is the largest acquisition ever in its 114-year history. Bartlett said the acquisition of 111-year-old S.P. McClenahan in the heart of Silicon Valley was a natural fit for both companies; each a four-generation family business that thrived for more than 100-years by providing quality tree care its to customers.
“We are excited to join forces with S.P. McClenahan. I have known the McClenahan family for 40 years, and like Bartlett Tree Experts, they have worked hard to build a stellar reputation for their company as an industry leader,” Jim Ingram, president and COO of Bartlett Tree Experts, said. “We look forward to combining our strengths and adding significant depth to our arboricultural services in gorgeous Northern California.”
History in the making
Founded by Seymour P. McClenahan in 1911, S.P. McClenahan’s original office consisted of desk space in the Mercantile Exchange Building of San Francisco. The company enjoyed steady growth over the years, providing tree care on the San Francisco Peninsula, with an eventual range of operations between San Francisco and Morgan Hill. Its headquarters moved from Palo Alto to Portola Valley in 1968.
It was a meeting with Robert A. Bartlett Jr., chairman and CEO of Bartlett Tree Experts and touring the Bartlett lab that highlighted the benefits of joining Bartlett for John McClenahan, who has known Bartlett’s president and COO Jim Ingram personally for 40 years.
“Bartlett provided the right fit, culturally, and the right leadership,” John McClenahan said. “We see this as an opportunity to help Bartlett with its growth while providing us with an opportunity to grow and succeed. We finally found an organization that matched our culture. This was a perfect marriage of the two companies.”
Family remains with Bartlett
Bartlett said this acquisition broadens its presence in California’s Bay Area. S.P. McClenahan Co.’s 55 employees are now a division of Bartlett Tree Experts. John Henry McClenahan, who previously served as CEO of the company his great-grandfather founded, will run Bartlett’s new Portola Valley office as local manager. His younger brother, Josh, joins Bartlett as a loss control manager, administering and supporting compliance with all insurance and loss control programs, analyzing risks, and developing strategies to reduce losses throughout the corporation.
“Becoming a division of Bartlett gives all of our employees and staff, including me, a chance to grow and develop and be better arborists because of the resources that Bartlett has, such as the Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories,” said John McClenahan, who has been involved in his family’s business since 1993.
John McClenahan is a graduate of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, with a bachelor of science in ornamental horticulture; he is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, Licensed Pest Control Adviser and TCIA Certified Treecare Safety Professional. McClenahan is also a qualified ISA Tree Risk Assessor and a member of the American Society of Consulting Arborists.
His brother, Josh, started working for his family’s company in 2006 and most recently served as COO of S.P. McClenahan. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Science and Master of Science in Safety Science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. His certifications include: BCSP Certified Safety Professional, TCIA Certified Treecare Safety Professional, and ISA Certified Arborist. He transitioned to the family business from a commercial insurance loss control consultant position. McClenahan will provide an immediate contribution to Bartlett’s safety and loss control programs with his insurance background.
“Over the years, Josh has worked with the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) and companies like North American Training Solutions to improve his company,” said David Marren, Bartlett’s vice president of safety and regulatory affairs. “They’ve always tried hard to do the right thing and a focus on taking care of their employees. It’s a good fit for us to take the skill set he offers and utilize him on an international level.”
