Laytonsville, Md.-based Ruppert Landscape acquired A R Star Services, also located in Maryland and specializing in commercial landscape management services. The transaction includes the purchase of select commercial landscape management contracts—primarily based in northern Baltimore County, trucks and equipment.
“A R Star has built a reputation as a service oriented company with customers who have been with them for many years,” said Phil Key, president of Ruppert. “Their current book of business aligns geographically in the areas where we’d like to expand and add new customers. Adding this second location in the Baltimore market places us in closer proximity to many of our customers and therefore in a better position to service them.”
The A R Star purchase includes equipment for sweeping, enabling Ruppert to expand its services offered in the market, providing parking garage, street and parking lot sweeping for interested customers.
A R Star has been doing business in the Baltimore area for more 30 years. Owner Bob McElwain first approached Ruppert about acquiring his company in the summer of 2013.
“I’ve always been a very hands on owner,” McElwain said. “When I decided it was time to transition out of my business, Ruppert was the only company I considered approaching knowing they would carry my business forward in a way consistent with how I operated for three decades.”
McElwain will stay involved as a part-time consultant over the next six months to ensure a seamless transition with his company’s customer base.
