76 Fence, one of the nation’s fastest-growing fence companies, officially celebrated the grand opening of its newest territories in Birmingham, Ala., with a ribbon-cutting hosted in partnership with the Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce.
The event, held at the Greystone Country Club — Legacy Clubhouse, brought together friends, family, chamber leadership, local officials and community stakeholders to mark the Kennedys’ milestone moment. The celebration included networking, refreshments and a ceremonial ribbon cutting, with remarks delivered by Erica and Caleb Kennedy alongside Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Nan Baldwin.
Born and raised in Birmingham, the Kennedys expressed pride in launching their business in the community they call home. In addition to operating their own Birmingham territories, the Kennedys serve as regional developers for Alabama and Mississippi, helping to expand 76 Fence’s footprint by supporting and mentoring new franchise owners across the two states.
“This event was a true celebration of community and opportunity,” said Erica Kennedy. “We’re honored to bring 76 Fence to Birmingham, and even more excited to build a network of trusted local owners who will deliver the same quality and care throughout Alabama and Mississippi.”
The evening featured family-friendly mingling, branded event décor and 76 Fence trucks on-site for photo opportunities.
Diamond Mowers earns three awards for Mini Brush Cutter Pro X
Diamond Mowers’ Mini Brush Cutter Pro X, a land-clearing attachment for stand-on skid-steers, has been recognized with three top industry awards celebrating product innovation and performance excellence.
The versatile attachment was named among the winners of OPE+’s “Twenty for 2025 New Product Awards,” selected for Rental Magazine’s “2025 Editor’s Choice Awards,” and earned a spot on Equipment Today’s “2025 Contractors’ Top 50 New Products” list.
“We are honored by this recognition and pleased by the positive response to this new offering,” said Nate Cleveringa, vice president of engineering and product management at Diamond Mowers. “These awards underscore the impact our Mini Brush Cutter Pro X is making across multiple sectors of the industry. From contractors to rental houses, professionals are discovering its ability to clear land faster, reduce manual labor and maximize the value of compact equipment.”
Launched earlier this year, the Mini Brush Cutter Pro X is modeled after Diamond’s Brush Cutter Pro X and engineered specifically for the mini skid-steer market. Its spindle-driven blade system provides 25 percent more cutting capacity than standard models, enabling operators to slice through dense brush, thick vegetation and trees up to 5-inches in diameter. The 42-inch cutting width makes the compact attachment ideal for landscaping, lot reclamation, trail maintenance and vegetation control in tight environments.
Constructed with commercial-grade steel that’s 25-percent thicker than competitive models, according to the company, the Mini Brush Cutter Pro X also features hydraulic hose protection, castle nut fasteners for blade security and optional universal safety guarding.
About the awards:
- OPE+’s “Twenty for 2025 New Product Awards” highlights the outdoor power equipment industry’s most promising new tools and technologies. This annual program celebrates products that expand professional capabilities, improve ease of use and deliver measurable performance advantages in the field.
- Rental Magazine’s “2025 Editor’s Choice Awards” showcases products that generate strong interest from rental business owners and customers alike. Honorees are chosen based on innovation, market impact and overall value to the rental industry.
- Equipment Today’s “Contractors’ Top 50 New Products” recognizes the most innovative and impactful equipment as determined directly by the publication’s readership of construction professionals.
“These accolades reflect the confidence our industry partners and end-users have in Diamond Mowers’ equipment,” said Cleveringa. “The Mini Brush Cutter Pro X is proof that big performance can come in a compact package, and we’re proud to see it recognized by some of the most trusted names in construction, outdoor power equipment and rental.”
Toro and ARA Foundations transform Canadian long-term care facility
The American Rental Association (ARA) Foundation and The Toro Company Foundation donated equipment, volunteers and a $20,000 grant to install new fencing, sidewalk extensions and landscape improvements to Sherbrooke Community Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, last month.
Collaborators from The Toro Company, Ditch Witch, The Rent It Store, Hub City Display, Rent Quip, Earthworks Equipment, Event Source, Core Rental Services, United Rentals, Sunbelt Rentals Saskatoon and Sunbelt Rentals Squamish joined forces to help revitalize the landscape and property.
Sherbrooke Community Centre is a long-term care facility recognized for its high standards in personal and nursing care. It offers a range of services, including physiotherapy and recreational programs, to support residents’ health and quality of life. The center is dedicated to creating a vibrant, supportive environment for those it serves, according to the company.
“I think today, this project really fits our philosophy and our goal of achieving well-being,” said Kim Schmidt, CEO of Sherbrooke Community Centre. “We’re just so appreciative of the generous spirit of everyone who is here today and part of this.”
On the day of the project, more than 40 volunteers worked to transform the outdoor space at Sherbrooke Community Centre. They installed 240 linear feet of decorative iron fencing, removed trees, ground stumps, extended a sidewalk and spread more than 15 yards of mulch. The area was turned into a safe, inviting green space for residents to enjoy.
“We are really thrilled to welcome all the skilled workers and the heavy equipment the ARA members provided, and we are very thrilled to accept the ARA Foundation grant as well for our project,” said Joy-Ann Allin, donor relations manager at Sherbrooke Community Centre. “This project achieves our goal to create a green space where our elders can have visits and social time and enjoy entertainment and just spend time outdoors.”
Emory Oak Partners launches Cerv Property Solutions
Cerv Property Solutions, a new property services provider aiming to improve customer experience across the residential and commercial services sector, has officially launched.
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Cerv is the flagship services brand of Emory Oak Partners and will be led by industry veteran Kade Thomas as founder and CEO. It offers six core services to customers, including landscaping, pool care, janitorial, pest control, exterior (window washing, power washing and gutter cleaning) and waste services — delivering a comprehensive suite of property care solutions through one, singular company.
Cerv is the unification of six companies Emory Oak has been operating for more than five years.
According to the company, only 40 percent of home service providers actively use tools like AI. Cerv is aiming to break this status quo by pairing proprietary data with a bespoke digital app and actively exploring AI technology to reach new clients and deliver elevated property services.
“The residential and commercial services sector has been the sole focus of my entire career,” said Kade Thomas, founder and CEO at Cerv Property Solutions. “I’m a true advocate for the industry, but I will be the first to admit that it has gaping areas for improvement.
“Currently, property owners are left juggling a mix of unbranded vendors with shaky customer service and outdated processes. You don’t see that kind of delivery across other sectors like banking, law or accounting, so why should residential and commercial services get away with it?
“Cerv is the better way. We’ve unified six service lines — all of which are already existing, successful providers that have been delivering quality services for years — under one brand, blending smart technology with a white-glove customer experience. We’ve taken everything we love about the industry and combined it with a modern approach, and I couldn’t be prouder of the outcome.
“Our mission is simple: redefine property care by raising the standard across the sector. This industry has needed a shakeup for years, and at Cerv, we’re here to deliver it.”
