The deal
MRE Capital, the Annapolis, Md., family office of former Merkle chief executive David Williams, has invested in Terren Landscapes of Conshohocken, Pa. MRE announced the deal Oct. 19 and did not disclose terms or the size of its stake.
Brothers John and Jim McCaughey launched Terren in 1983 from a garage at their grandmother's house, and John bought out full ownership in 2005. Today the company has more than 120 employees serving homeowners on Philadelphia's Main Line and across the greater Philadelphia area, with landscape design, installation, maintenance, hardscaping and snow removal.
John McCaughey stays on as founder and CEO. Ken Geis, general manager since late 2024, moves up to chief operating officer. MRE says Terren will be its platform for moving into new markets and adding services. The family office already owns a commercial grounds business, DJ's Landscape Management.
Not every buyer is a private equity fund on a five-year clock. Family offices invest their own money and often hold longer, which can suit a founder who wants to stay involved and watch the business grow. Notice too that Terren added a general manager before the deal. Owners who build a second layer of leadership show a buyer the company can grow without them doing everything, and that makes it far easier to value as a platform.
What this means if you own a landscaping company
- Residential can anchor a platform. High-end residential work with design and hardscape skills is drawing buyers, not just commercial maintenance.
- Leadership depth pays. Adding a strong general manager before a sale can change how buyers see the business.
- Look at every kind of buyer. Family offices, strategic buyers and private equity funds come with different timelines and terms.
Source: MRE Capital announcement, Oct. 19, 2026. Summary and analysis by V2 Strategy Advisors.