The Davey Tree Expert Co.’s subsidiary, Wetland Studies and Solutions Inc., is acquiring Kerr Environmental Services, a Virginia Beach environmental consulting company.
- The two firms have previously teamed together on several large projects.
- Gainesville, Virginia-based WSSI will retain Kerr Environmental Services Owner Bob Kerr as director of tidewater operations.
- Davey acquired WSSI in 2014 to expand its natural resources and utility consulting operations.
- Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
PRESS RELEASE
Kent, Ohio – The Davey Tree Expert Company has announced the acquisition of the assets of Kerr Environmental Services, located in Virginia Beach, VA, by Davey’s subsidiary, Wetland Studies and Solutions, Inc., (WSSI).
The work done by Kerr Environmental Services consists of environmental consulting, including wetland and stream delineations and permitting, wetland and stream restoration and mitigation consulting, watershed planning, natural areas management, endangered species consulting, contaminant investigations, and NEPA studies.
The owner, Bob Kerr, will remain at the company as Director of Tidewater Operations, as well as his eight employees. He said he was excited about joining WSSI, which is a recognized leader in their field with a team that is of the highest caliber in natural and cultural resources studies, Clean Water Act permitting, Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act studies, wetland and stormwater regulatory policy, mitigation design, and mitigation banking.
“Furthermore, this sale provides our clients with a deeper and broader capability of services,” said Kerr. “This also allows us to stay focused on cutting-edge service, high-quality results and value. Finally, not only will our employees have additional career and training opportunities, but they will also have the opportunity to participate in Davey’s employee-ownership program.”
Mike Rolband, Chairman of WSSI, said Kerr’s group already has connections to the WSSI team.
“Bob Kerr has been a professional colleague of mine on many committees over the past 20 years, and our firms have teamed together on some large projects,” explained Rolband. “Thus several people in our organizations know each other. Furthermore, our geographic areas of strength are complementary – so this is a great opportunity for improved service to our clients by WSSI, Kerr and Davey.”
WSSI is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Davey Tree Expert Company with ±180 staff. The Davey Tree Expert Company, with nearly 9,500 employees throughout North America, provides solutions for residential, utility, commercial and government clients. Rooted in research, the company’s vision is to achieve balance among people, progress and the environment. Tree experts since 1880, Davey provides diversified tree services, grounds maintenance and environmental services. Celebrating 40 years of employee ownership, Davey is one of the largest employee-owned companies in the U.S. and is headquartered in Kent, Ohio. Want to join us? Discover your Davey career, and apply today.
