The deal
APHIX, a Kentucky-based commercial landscaping company backed by Gauge Capital, has acquired Sunrise of Nashville, a landscape maintenance, design and irrigation contractor. Terms were not disclosed.
Sunrise was founded in 1980 as a residential mowing service and now serves HOAs, estates, schools, banks and other commercial properties.
Founder and president Bob Wellerding will continue to lead the Nashville market for APHIX, working with Sunrise's existing leadership team.
Commercial maintenance contracts with HOAs and property managers are recurring revenue, and that's what landscaping buyers pay for. Sunrise shows a common path: start in residential mowing, build toward commercial contracts, and become attractive to a platform that wants a foothold in a fast-growing city.
What this means if you own a landscaping company
- Contracts are king. Recurring commercial maintenance agreements drive landscaping valuations.
- Growing metros attract buyers. Nashville's growth made Sunrise a natural entry point.
- Founders can keep leading. Wellerding stays to run the market. Your role is negotiable.
Source: APHIX announcement, July 16, 2026. Summary and analysis by V2 Strategy Advisors.