Key Takeaways
- • Martin Landscaping, a Charlotte, North Carolina-based seeding and erosion control contractor, has moved to 100% employee ownership through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) facilitated by Hansen Family Office, ending more than four decades of family ownership.
- • Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
- • Viking Mergers & Acquisitions ran a competitive sale process that introduced the business to more than 200 prospective buyers and generated multiple offers before Hansen Family Office was selected.
- • Founders Lisa Markus and David Martin step back from daily operations but remain involved, with additional management resources added to support growth.
- • Demand for the company's services currently exceeds its operating capacity, and the company is keeping its existing name and customer relationships.
Summary
Martin Landscaping, a seeding and erosion control contractor based in Charlotte, North Carolina, has transitioned to 100% employee ownership through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) transaction facilitated by Hansen Family Office, according to citybiz. The deal marks the end of more than four decades of family ownership. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The company was founded in April 1980 by Lisa Markus and David Martin's parents. The siblings acquired the business from their parents in 2007. Martin has worked at the company for 45 years and Markus for 35 years. Martin Landscaping provides seeding and erosion control services for commercial construction and infrastructure projects across the Charlotte region, including work at airports, highways, utilities, landfills, parks and commercial developments, such as projects at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
The ownership change followed a competitive sale process managed by Viking Mergers & Acquisitions, which represented the siblings and introduced the business to more than 200 prospective buyers. According to Viking senior advisor Haydn Flores, the process produced multiple offers that allowed the owners to weigh financial terms, management continuity, employee benefits and their desired post-closing role. Viking's advisory team included Flores, Michael Elliott and Franco Cacciuttolo.
Hansen Family Office, led by Zach Hansen, was chosen based on its employee ownership structure, operational resources and ability to support long-term development. The firm specializes in helping privately held businesses transition to employee ownership, has acquired more than a dozen companies, and maintains a network of more than 1,100 experienced operators who can provide management and operational support. Under the new structure, employees will have the opportunity to participate financially in the company's future performance.
Markus and Martin will remain involved in the business, supported by additional management resources intended to strengthen operations. The company reports strong demand that exceeds its current operating capacity. After closing, Martin introduced the ESOP to employees, with Cacciuttolo assisting in communicating the program's details in Spanish. The company will continue operating under its existing name and serving commercial and infrastructure customers in the Charlotte region.
The company was founded in April 1980 by Lisa Markus and David Martin's parents. The siblings acquired the business from their parents in 2007. Martin has worked at the company for 45 years and Markus for 35 years. Martin Landscaping provides seeding and erosion control services for commercial construction and infrastructure projects across the Charlotte region, including work at airports, highways, utilities, landfills, parks and commercial developments, such as projects at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
The ownership change followed a competitive sale process managed by Viking Mergers & Acquisitions, which represented the siblings and introduced the business to more than 200 prospective buyers. According to Viking senior advisor Haydn Flores, the process produced multiple offers that allowed the owners to weigh financial terms, management continuity, employee benefits and their desired post-closing role. Viking's advisory team included Flores, Michael Elliott and Franco Cacciuttolo.
Hansen Family Office, led by Zach Hansen, was chosen based on its employee ownership structure, operational resources and ability to support long-term development. The firm specializes in helping privately held businesses transition to employee ownership, has acquired more than a dozen companies, and maintains a network of more than 1,100 experienced operators who can provide management and operational support. Under the new structure, employees will have the opportunity to participate financially in the company's future performance.
Markus and Martin will remain involved in the business, supported by additional management resources intended to strengthen operations. The company reports strong demand that exceeds its current operating capacity. After closing, Martin introduced the ESOP to employees, with Cacciuttolo assisting in communicating the program's details in Spanish. The company will continue operating under its existing name and serving commercial and infrastructure customers in the Charlotte region.
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