TreeServe Grows by a Factor of 10 with the Help of BLG Business Advisers

Key Services

• Long-term strategic advising leads to significant and sustained growth in turnover
• Holistic business support with everything from pricing to structure to acquisitions
• In-depth understanding of business creates trust and partnership
• Support management to transition from small family business to national operations

TreeServe is one of the leading tree and vegetation contractors in NSW and VIC. They specialise in local government tree management, powerline vegetation management, and emergency tree works and contract to numerous Utilities, Councils and major infrastructure clients. With an emphasis on innovation and quality service, they’ve grown from a small staff of 3 to more than 500 FTE’s.

“We’ve been in business for over 30 years and throughout that time we’ve seen a lot of growth and change,” says TreeServe’s managing director, David Harris. “BLG has been with us the whole time. They’re a big part of our success.”

Business Restructuring Leads to the Search for a New Accounting Firm

In 2000, David took over the management of the family business—then called Sydney Metro Tree Services—right in the middle of a major asset restructuring.  A partner was leaving, critical assets were being sold—and David knew he needed to do it in the most efficient and cost-effective way if his business was going to thrive into the future.

“We had an accounting firm at the time, but it felt like they outgrew us,” David says. “So we searched for a new accounting firm. Michael Grew from Brodie Long Grew was the first to respond to us with bullet points and a strategy. Michael’s responsiveness and understanding of our objectives, really impressed me. We went with BLG and we’ve never looked back.”

The Making of a Vital Partnership

Initially, BLG assisted the company to restructure effectively. Then BLG helped lay the foundations for lasting success. “They helped with everything: the structure, the strategy, the planning,” David says. “Early on, we wouldn’t even buy a chainsaw without consulting with BLG.”

Since then, TreeServe has relied on BLG to help with everything from large contract pricing to wage analysis to acquisitions and now works with Director, Peter Ryan. The focus has always been to maintain a big-picture outlook that will serve not only the immediate needs of the company, but its long-term health and profitability. “There are times we’ve relied on them for strategic accounting decisions or structural and ownership decisions where the true value is not seen for years,” says David. “But we always end up seeing the value.”

David says that the relationship with BLG has evolved into a true partnership. “The team at BLG are mentors who have gotten to know our business intimately—not just the financial side of things, but the people, the customers and our operations. They’re an integral part of our team.”

Benefits and Results

• Support and advising through four acquisitions in the last 20 years
• Consultation on pricing helped TreeServe win several large government contracts that substantially increased business
• Long-term strategic planning and structuring created stability and growth
• Intimate knowledge of all areas of the business results in consistent, knowledgeable, reliable advice

Conclusion

“I can’t say enough good about our relationship with BLG,” David says. “They’re responsive, engaged in our business, passionately interested, and have given us very excellent advice over the 25 years that we’ve been working together. If you have the chance to work with BLG, do it! Hiring BLG is hands-down one of the best business decisions our company has ever made.”