4M Acquires Horizon

St. Louis-based commercial cleaning and janitorial services company 4M Building Solutions announced that it acquired Horizon Services Corporation, a commercial cleaning company headquartered in Connecticut and operating in 3 Northeast states.

Tim M. Murch, CBSE, 4M’s CEO and managing partner, made the announcement with Ted Hsu, Horizon’s founder, president, and CEO. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"As we start this exciting journey with Horizon Services Corporation, we are not only acquiring a reputable company but also embracing a shared vision of prioritizing exceptional customer service and fostering a supportive environment for our Team Members,” says Murch. “Ted Hsu's more than three decades of ownership and dedication to building Horizon Services align seamlessly with 4M's commitment to excellence, making this acquisition a perfect fit for our continued growth and success," said Murch.

Horizon Services Co. was established in 1991 by Ted Hsu under the name Horizon Industrial Services. Initially operating from a warehouse in Manchester, Connecticut, the company experienced rapid growth as a trusted commercial cleaning contractor. By 2000, it had surpassed the capacity of its original warehouse and relocated to its current corporate headquarters, 250 Governor Street, East Hartford. By 2005, Horizon Services broadened its footprint by establishing branch offices across multiple New England states. It also diversified its service portfolio to include janitorial cleaning, facilities management, green cleaning, event and post-construction cleanup, carpet care, and window cleaning.

Horizon operates with 500 Team Members and manages cleaning contracts across 175 unique service sites spanning three states: Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Daily, Horizon cleans more than 8 million square feet.

“I have known Tim Murch for more than 20 years. He and I have always shared a common approach to business and the cherished treatment of our Team Members,” says Hsu.  “We have always respected each other, and I trust Tim and 4M’s excellent track record of numerous smooth, successful acquisitions. For Horizon, this occasion signals a new era of growth and unprecedented opportunities for our team while our customers reap the rewards of amplified resources, fortified infrastructure, and groundbreaking innovations.”

The Horizon client portfolio spans industries including education, healthcare and wellness, and manufacturing. It has established a niche as an expert in government cleaning services for federal, state, and local agencies. 

While it will become a 4M Building Solutions Company, Horizon will retain its autonomy and existing leadership and continue to operate under the Horizon Services banner. 4M opted for a similar strategy with its fall acquisition of LCS Facility Services, maintaining the equity in LCS’s name and reputation in New York. Horizon’s president, Hsu; Laura Bushor, director of HR & finance; Jeff Findley, director of operations; and others will maintain their current positions with Horizon and become investors and equity holders in the 4M Building Solutions entity.

The Horizon Services acquisition marks the initial addition for 4M this year, a company that has seen substantial growth since its establishment in 1978, having completed 30 acquisitions to date. It’s the fourth acquisition since the company secured a January 2023 growth investment from O2 Investment Partners, a private investment firm based in the Midwest. Those acquisitions include Buttweiler Environmental (BWE) in St. Cloud, Minn., in December; LCS Facility Group in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., in October; and Capital Services in Columbus, Ohio, in February.

"Tim Murch and his 4M team are industry legends for a reason, and that's by always demonstrating long-term excellence, says Hsu. “As I accelerate my 33 years in the business, I know of no better partners for myself and Horizon's leaders than joining the 4M/O2 team. We remain each day thoroughly honored to be a part of it and eager to achieve more together."