Industry
Leadership
28th Annual Ohio Employee
Ownership Conference
In April 2014, Karl Warnke
was a keynote speaker at the
28th Annual Ohio Employee
Ownership Conference. He
commented that Davey Tree
"owes all of its success
and ongoing success to the
thousands of employee owners
that we have at the company."
He discussed that the key to
successful employee ownership
is shared interest, including:
A desire to lead/build a
successful business or help
others to do so
The belief that employee
ownership can play a major
role in business today
A sincere commitment to
the people we work with,
including their individualized
growth, their desire to make a
contribution and their future
09
A YEAR OF GROWTH
Our strategy for expansion includes both organic growth and
strategic acquisition opportunities. 2014 was one of our largest
expansion years with eight acquisitions and market expansions
resulting in seven new service locations.
In January 2014, Davey Tree acquired Maier Forest and Tree in
Rochester, Minnesota, and Superior NW Tree & Shrub Care, Inc.,
in Seattle, Washington. The acquisitions bring expanded regional
business expertise and skilled arborists to Minnesota and
Washington's residential and commercial operations. They join
other recent acquisitions, including Cortese Tree Care Specialists
in Knoxville, Tennessee, and Lawn Logic in Fort Lauderdale,
Florida. With each acquisition, Davey Tree seeks companies with
similar client demographics, safety-conscious employees and
excellent market opportunities.
Davey Tree expanded our natural resource consulting service
operations in April 2014 through the acquisition of Wetland Studies
and Solutions, Inc. (WSSI). WSSI is a leading natural and cultural
resources consulting company that partners with private sector
builders and public works agencies to gain local, state and federal
approvals relating to wetlands, streams, forests and cultural
resources. WSSI also purchased assets of Klebasko Environmental
Services, LLC in Maryland. Our expanded consulting operations
enable us to deepen our environmental consulting expertise.
We also expanded our market reach and brand presence by
opening new offices in the following locations:
Austin, Texas
Baltimore, Maryland
Chicago, Illinois
Detroit, Michigan
Napa, California
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
St. Louis, Missouri
With each new location, we see strong potential for market and
employee growth. As we expand our operations, we consider
our corporate responsibility impacts, including promoting safety
across our operations and evaluating new technologies for
fleet efficiency. Going forward, we will continue to grow while
safeguarding our support systems to meet the demands of our
services. Beyond top-line growth, we ensure our employees
have adequate training and deliver services consistent with our
high company standards.
HIGHLIGHT
STORY
