Driver Technologies, Fleetr announce partnership – Lawn & Landscape
The partnership will provide small fleet operators and drivers with location and trip data, safety alerts and dash cam video.
Driver Technologies, Inc., an AI-based mobility tech company that delivers a safer driving experience, and Fleetr by Jooycar, a small fleet management solution, announced a partnership. The partnership will provide small fleet operators and drivers with location and trip data, safety alerts and dash cam video through Fleetr’s telematics and Driver’s service offering.
In addition, Fleetr drivers will gain access to a personal DriverCloud where drivers can choose to share their driving videos, AI analysis, safety warnings and location with interested parties such as employers, insurers and family members. Each fleet manager will also receive access to their own DriverCloud to see all videos and data from the fleet.
According to the most recent American Trucking Association report, 91.5% of fleets operate six or fewer vehicles, and 97.4% operate less than 20 vehicles.
“At Driver, we wanted to find a strong partner within the small fleet management industry to improve road safety for vehicles on the road,” said Marcus Newbury, COO and co-founder of Driver Technologies. “Our partnership with Fleetr will continue to help small fleet owners worldwide reduce equipment costs and installation time of new technology for fleet drivers through using their smartphone combined with devices.”
Earlier this summer, Driver Technologies announced the launch of the premium version of its dash cam app, Driver, which includes real-time safety alerts: forward collision, driver drowsiness and distraction warnings, cloud storage, AI analysis and coaching to help promote good driving habits. Through the partnership, Fleetr subscribers will gain access to DriverPremium and a cooling dash cam mount for free, and in the case of a collision, Driver will provide a video and a written report to the fleet manager.
Fleetr launched in 2021 with the mission to help small services companies such as plumbers and electricians track their vehicles and encourage driver safety. Via a device plugged into your car and connected with a mobile/desktop app, Fleetr equips fleet owners and managers with the use of telematics and machine learning to collect data about driving behavior, real-time vehicle location, maintenance reporting, and driver safety and risk assessment.
“At Fleetr, we’re on a mission to provide affordable, easy to use solutions for small fleet owners to manage overall spend and improve safety,” said Rachel Corn, CEO of Fleetr. “Through our partnership with Driver Technologies, we’re able to provide more safety features than ever before to our customers at a price point that meets their needs and is groundbreaking in the SMB fleet management space. Never before have small fleet owners been able to buy fleet management solutions and dashcam applications for $14.99. In today’s inflationary environment and in the face of rising insurance premiums, this combined offering will bring important savings to small business owners. Moreover, the dashcam functionality will be valuable in our soon to be launched auto insurance product.”
For more information about Driver Technologies’ and Fleetr’s partnership, please download the Driver App (Apple or Android app store) and the Fleetr App (Apple or Android app store) and visit their websites at drivertechnologies.com and fleetr.com.
This is the fifth acquisition in 2022 for Landscape Workshop.
Landscape Workshop has acquired Burning Bush Landscape & Turf Care based in Atlanta, Georgia.
“We are excited to have Burning Bush join our existing Atlanta operations. This acquisition increases our growth trajectory in the Atlanta market and allows us to combine our experience and expertise to provide top of the line customer service for our clients in the area,” said CEO J.T. Price. “David and his wife Debbie have built a great reputation of delivering a high-quality product with excellent customer service. With David’s help, we look forward to continuing to build on what Burning Bush has worked so hard to accomplish. Our shared values of providing exceptional service with a customer-first approach, makes this a valuable partnership for both companies and most importantly, our clients.”
As part of the transaction, Burning Bush owner David Stream is joining the Landscape Workshop Atlanta leadership team. Landscape Workshop’s Tim Christie will continue as general manager of Atlanta operations.
“It has been a pleasure working with the Landscape Workshop team on this acquisition,” Stream said. “We believe that with our combined resources and experience, we will be able to continue to deliver the exceptional quality and customer service that our customers are accustomed to. This deal will allow me to spend more time taking care of my customers and employees as we continue to grow in the Atlanta market.”
The company plans on extending into multiple states in the near future.
Mariani Landscape has acquired seven family-owned companies and experienced 350% growth over the past 18 months, a record for the company.
The companies acquired are:
Three of the acquired companies appeared on Lawn & Landscape’s 2022 Top 100 list, which is based off 2021 revenue: RP Marzilil, number 43 with $53.9 million in revenue; Designs by Sundown, tied at 71 with revenue of $36 million; and Berghoff Design, number 75 with 2021 revenue of $34.6 million.
CI Capital holds a majority investment in Mariani Landscape, but current Chairman, Frank Mariani, will remain 100% actively involved in the company. CI Capital previously owned SavaTree before selling to Apax in September of 2021.
The acquired companies are maintaining their brands and leadership teams.
“As we seek to create the best residential landscape company in the world, we are partnering with companies that are the best at what they do in their local markets. We trust them and fully support their management teams, and we add value by creating services that elevate their client and associate experiences,” said Mariani Landscape Chairman Frank Mariani.
“We didn’t want to replicate what we’ve seen in the commercial landscape industry, where companies were absorbed, and local management was removed. The companies that have joined us so far have set a great precedent that this is a business model that works well and benefits everyone.”
Bob Marzilli, president of RP Marzilli, added, “Companies that join Mariani Landscape will find they won’t lose their identity, and that they’re still in control of their destinies. When joining our group, owners remain an integral part of their company. They’re not simply selling their companies and leaving.”
One resource that the Mariani Landscape family of companies offers is what Mariani Landscape refers to as the “ultimate peer group”– a platform service in which leadership teams across companies can draw insights, share experiences and solve problems.
“The peer group that has been created through the Mariani family of companies is invaluable. Everyone brings an incredible amount of knowledge and experience to the table,” said Jeff Berghoff, president of Berghoff Design Group.
Charlie Noll, president and founder of Woodlawns Landscape Company in Chicago says the acquired companies all operate independently.
“We share resources and services, but the leadership team at Mariani trusts me to run my company, and doesn’t want to change that,” he says.
The new Mariani Landscape family of companies will also have a focus on green initiatives and landscaping best practices.
“Our industry hasn’t progressed at the rate of other industries with respect to adopting technology and prioritizing things like career growth,” said Matt Gramer, president of NatureWorks Landscape Services in Massachusetts. “We at Mariani plan to move the needle in that regard and set the tone for innovation for the industry.”
Mariani Landscape plans to continue proactively pursuing residential landscape companies that align with its core values, and is looking to expand into several new states in the coming months.
Mariani’s focus is on family-owned companies, but they are open to having conversations with other companies, no matter their ownership structure. The company has created an email address, partner@marianilandscape.com, for interested parties to contact.
The 644 G-tier Wheel Loader is now available in the U.S., while the 544 G-tier is making its debut in Canada.
After a successful introduction into the Canadian market in 2021, John Deere expands its G-tier Wheel Loader offerings to the United States with the 644 G-tier Wheel Loader, continuing the transition to Performance Tiering . As part of the John Deere Performance Tiering Strategy, customers can benefit from tailored offerings that provide more performance, comfort and economical options. The expansion of this line up also includes the new 544 G-tier Wheel Loader now available in Canada. The 544 G-tier provides customers working in a variety of applications with a no-frills, versatile and reliable solution backed by John Deere and its dealer network.
“Not every customer is looking for the most technology in a machine. By introducing the 544 G-tier in Canada and expanding the availability of the 644 G-tier into the United States, we are providing our customers with options to help meet their diverse needs,” said Luke Gribble, solutions marketing manager, John Deere. “The G-tier models support customers looking for reliability, without the added extras that they would find in a P-tier or X-tier machine, and that fit their investment levels as well. With the G-tier models, customers are getting the versatility and ruggedness in a machine, without any compromises.”
Now available in the United States, the 644 G-tier leverages proven components and is equipped with a cab design that promotes ease of operation. With the 644 G-tier machines, John Deere delivers a solution ideal for customers in the governmental, rental, site development and asphalt industries. The 644 G-tier Wheel Loaders boast a reliable John Deere 6.8L engine and feature John Deere Teammate axles. Customers can customize the machine through a variety of base-level packages, including options related to locking differentials, ride control, seats, radio and rear chassis work-lights.
Making its debut in the Canadian market, the 544 G-tier is designed to provide a more economical solution in the 3-yard loader size class that does not sacrifice performance or quality. The 544 G-tier controls were designed with operators of all skillsets and productivity in mind, offering a simplified setup and overall functionality. Promoting ease of operation, the in-cab controls include adjustable boom-height kickout, return to carry, and return to dig, which can be easily activated from inside the cab, speeding production times during repetitive applications. In addition, the 544 G-tier is an ideal machine for those looking for a capable machine for rental, agriculture, governmental and snow removal applications.
Further expanding machine capability, the 544 G-tier can be equipped with optional features to help tackle even the most challenging applications. Optional features include a hydraulic reversing fan, axle coolers and front locking differentials, helping to keep it at peak performance. The 544 G-tier machines are easy to service, helping to keep the jobsite running smoothly.
The optional third and fourth function hydraulics allow additional attachments to be equipped on the machine, amplifying job versatility. On the 544 G-tier, John Deere customers can choose between pin-on bucket options as well as a Hi-Vis/ISO or JRB style couplers, which are compatible with K -Series, L-series and Performance Tiering buckets and attachments. Customers needing extra reach on the job can add high-lift linkage to gain an additional 14 inches of hinge-pin height over standard linkage.
All G-tier machines are include JDLink Connectivity and Connected Support. Both the 544 G-tier and the 644 G-tier machines are eligible for the John Deere Protect Service Plan. With the John Deere Protect Service Plan, routine maintenance is performed at every 500-hour interval by an experienced John Deere dealer. In addition, the John Deere Protect Parts & Fluids Plan provides customers with options to conduct maintenance services and inspection while utilizing their own technicians.
To learn more about the G-tier models, as well as the full John Deere Performance Tiering Strategy, visit www.JohnDeere.com/Findyourfit.
Terry McNair, owner of Real Turf Solutions, is this year’s winning recipient. Four runners-up have also been named.
CASE Construction Equipment has named Terry McNair and his local Fort Valley landscaping company Real Turf Solutions the recipient of the CASE Kickstart business development program for 2022.
“We salute Terry for his entrepreneurial spirt, people-first approach and dedication to his entire team,” said Terry Dolan, vice president — North America, CASE Construction Equipment. “Although we have more than 180 years of experience at CASE, we – like Terry – are making moves like a startup and creating solutions rooted in customer need. Through CASE Kickstart, we’re honored to help the men and women who operate our equipment every day further their business aspirations and reach their dreams.”
For McNair, the drive for meaningful change in his business started with a very real and personal experience.
“My oldest son was diagnosed with cancer when he was 10 and we were told he’d never walk again. It changed my perspective and goals. Today he has been fully cured,” he added. After countless hours in hospitals and days away from his work, McNair’s vision for his business, which is located 25 miles southwest of Macon, evolved.
“We started to make changes. I hired a new management team and developed a culture of ‘changing lives.’ Everything has changed for the better since,” McNair said.
As part of the grand-prize package, McNair will deploy a CASE compact track loader and attachment into his business for six months and receive one year of business consulting.
Equipment support, training and related counsel is being provided by Georgia-based CASE dealer Tidewater Equipment Company.
Four CASE Kickstart runners up were also named — each has earned a six-month online training subscription from an online education hub, which houses online education courses, seminars and workshops that will help the honorees apply proven landscaping business principles to their operations.
The four runners up are Darren Peters of Peters’ Patio and Landscape (St. Kenyon, Minnesota), Ricky Parmar of Castleridge Landscaping (Rocky View County, Alberta, Canada), William Lindsey of Luxe Applied Sciences (Strasburg, Colorado), and Alex Mackay of Beaumack Solutions (Three Hills, Alberta, Canada).
For more information on CASE Construction Equipment, and its entire lineup of solutions and services for the landscaping industry, visit CaseCE.com/landscaping.