Key Takeaways
- • L Squared Capital Partners completed its acquisition of Edko, LLC, a Bossier City, Louisiana-based provider of regulatory-driven vegetation management services for critical infrastructure, according to a Business Wire release.
- • The deal is the first platform investment out of L Squared's $2 billion Fund V, which closed in April 2026.
- • Edko, founded in 1961, operates 36 branch locations and serves electric utility, pipeline and refinery, exploration and production, and renewables customers across 30 states.
- • L Squared Capital Partners V and affiliates, alongside Edko management, provided the equity; Ares Capital Management LLC and BMO Bank N.A. provided debt financing.
- • L Squared plans to use Edko as a platform to consolidate the highly fragmented U.S. vegetation management market through acquisitions.
Summary
L Squared Capital Partners, a Newport Beach, California-based private equity firm with over $5 billion in equity commitments under management, has acquired Edko, LLC, according to a Business Wire announcement. The transaction is the first platform investment from L Squared's Fund V, a $2 billion private equity fund that closed in April 2026.
Edko is a leading provider of non-discretionary, herbicidal-focused vegetation management services for critical infrastructure assets. Founded in 1961 and headquartered in Bossier City, Louisiana, the company operates 36 branch locations and serves electric utility, pipeline and refinery, exploration and production, and renewables customers across 30 states. Its core offering includes bareground, foliar, basal, and tree growth regulator applications, supplemented by faster-growing ancillary services such as contract forestry, fire mitigation, and drone-based services through its unmanned aerial vehicle program. According to the release, demand is supported by tightening regulatory requirements, rising electricity demand, grid expansion, and asset resiliency plans aimed at avoiding downtime costs and regulatory penalties.
Tyler Huez, Partner at L Squared, cited Edko's growth record and its commitment to safety, compliance, and customer service. Jason Sellers, Edko's Chief Executive Officer, said L Squared's experience scaling field services businesses would support the company's plans to expand its integrated offering and enter new geographies. Sean Barrette, Managing Partner at L Squared, described the vegetation management market as highly fragmented, with regional and local providers, and characterized Edko as the natural consolidator.
L Squared will work with Edko's management team to fund organic growth, technician training, and equipment, and to pursue acquisitions that extend the company's footprint. L Squared Capital Partners V and its affiliates, together with Edko management, supplied the equity. Ares Capital Management LLC and BMO Bank N.A. provided debt financing. Stout Capital, LLC and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP advised L Squared, while Piper Sandler & Co., Stifel, Nicolaus & Co., Inc., and K&L Gates LLP advised Edko. The release did not disclose the purchase price.
Edko is a leading provider of non-discretionary, herbicidal-focused vegetation management services for critical infrastructure assets. Founded in 1961 and headquartered in Bossier City, Louisiana, the company operates 36 branch locations and serves electric utility, pipeline and refinery, exploration and production, and renewables customers across 30 states. Its core offering includes bareground, foliar, basal, and tree growth regulator applications, supplemented by faster-growing ancillary services such as contract forestry, fire mitigation, and drone-based services through its unmanned aerial vehicle program. According to the release, demand is supported by tightening regulatory requirements, rising electricity demand, grid expansion, and asset resiliency plans aimed at avoiding downtime costs and regulatory penalties.
Tyler Huez, Partner at L Squared, cited Edko's growth record and its commitment to safety, compliance, and customer service. Jason Sellers, Edko's Chief Executive Officer, said L Squared's experience scaling field services businesses would support the company's plans to expand its integrated offering and enter new geographies. Sean Barrette, Managing Partner at L Squared, described the vegetation management market as highly fragmented, with regional and local providers, and characterized Edko as the natural consolidator.
L Squared will work with Edko's management team to fund organic growth, technician training, and equipment, and to pursue acquisitions that extend the company's footprint. L Squared Capital Partners V and its affiliates, together with Edko management, supplied the equity. Ares Capital Management LLC and BMO Bank N.A. provided debt financing. Stout Capital, LLC and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP advised L Squared, while Piper Sandler & Co., Stifel, Nicolaus & Co., Inc., and K&L Gates LLP advised Edko. The release did not disclose the purchase price.
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