Fragmented, labor-intensive industries have long been targets for consolidation. Thousands of local operators, recurring customer demand, and limited scale advantages create room for larger platforms to acquire, integrate, and expand margins over time.

Traditionally, the roll-up model focused on procurement leverage, centralized administration, and disciplined capital allocation. Scale drove efficiency, but the underlying workflows remained largely unchanged.

In some sectors, that dynamic is shifting. Instead of simply aggregating revenue, certain consolidators are embedding software, automation, and robotics directly into acquired operations, altering how the work itself is performed.

Here are four public companies applying consolidation in distinct ways.

ZenaTech (Nasdaq: ZENA) is expanding its Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS) platform through the acquisition of established field-service businesses across North America. Since January 2025, the company has completed 20 acquisitions spanning land surveying, civil engineering, mapping, power washing, and related service providers with existing commercial and government customer relationships.

The DaaS model is structured to provide on-demand or subscription-based drone services without customers owning hardware. Following each acquisition, ZenaTech integrates drone-based data capture, mapping software, and standardized workflows into the acquired operations. Management has stated a goal of reaching 25 DaaS locations by the end of Q2 2026.

Recent developments illustrate how the platform is being applied across verticals. Through the acquisition of Cardinal Civil Resources, the company expanded into residential builder services. Management has stated that drone-integrated survey workflows are intended to reduce permit-ready survey turnaround times from up to 10 days to three days or less in certain use cases. The company has also signed or completed acquisitions supporting expansion into solar infrastructure surveying, wildfire management, public works, and power washing services.

Beyond service integration, ZenaTech is vertically integrating portions of its hardware supply chain. Its 16,000-square-foot Spider Vision Sensors facility in Taiwan is being configured for NDAA-compliant printed circuit board production. Final assembly of certain U.S.-designated ZenaDrone platforms is conducted in Mesa, Arizona. Management has stated that this structure is designed to support compliance with U.S. regulatory requirements restricting certain foreign-made drone components.

The company has also announced the planned Q1 2026 opening of its Baton Rouge, Louisiana, research and development center, focused on AI-driven autonomy, secure edge intelligence, and quantum-related optimization initiatives aligned with federal and defense-oriented programs.

Within a group of traditional service consolidators, ZenaTech’s model differs in that drone hardware and software integration are embedded directly into acquired field-service operations. The company’s expansion strategy centers on growing its DaaS footprint while layering standardized drone-enabled workflows across its network of locations.

Comfort Systems USA (NYSE: FIX) operates as a national provider of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing contracting services, primarily focused on commercial, industrial, and institutional markets. The company has expanded over decades through the acquisition of regional contractors, building a network of local operating units under a centralized corporate structure.

Mechanical contracting remains a fragmented industry, with thousands of privately owned firms serving local markets. Comfort Systems has used acquisitions to broaden geographic coverage, deepen technical capabilities, and increase exposure to end markets such as data centers, healthcare facilities, manufacturing plants, educational institutions, and government buildings.

The business generates revenue from both large-scale construction projects and recurring service and maintenance work. Service operations provide ongoing relationships with commercial building owners, creating repeat engagement tied to repair, retrofit, and facility upgrades. This mix of project revenue and repeat service work has supported steady expansion across cycles.

Operationally, Comfort Systems maintains local leadership within acquired companies while standardizing financial controls, procurement practices, safety procedures, and risk management at the corporate level. This structure allows the company to pursue scale while preserving local customer relationships and trade expertise.

Within the broader theme of service industry consolidation, Comfort Systems represents a mature example of how disciplined acquisition strategy and operational standardization can be applied to a labor-intensive, regionally fragmented industry.

Rollins, Inc. (NYSE: ROL) is a global provider of pest control services operating under brands including Orkin and several regional platforms. The company delivers residential and commercial pest management services across North America and international markets.

The pest control industry remains fragmented, with many small, locally owned operators serving regional territories. Rollins has expanded through a combination of organic growth and disciplined acquisitions, adding independent pest control businesses and integrating them into its broader operating framework.

Revenue is largely recurring in nature. Residential and commercial customers typically require ongoing inspection, treatment, and prevention services, generating repeat business rather than one-time project revenue. This recurring structure provides visibility and stability relative to construction-driven service industries.

Rollins centralizes branding, training, procurement, and administrative systems while allowing local branches to manage day-to-day service delivery. Standardized operating procedures, technician training programs, route optimization systems, and pricing frameworks support consistency across markets.

The company has historically emphasized steady expansion of service density within existing markets, cross-selling additional treatment programs, and disciplined tuck-in acquisitions to increase local scale. Rather than relying on technological disruption, Rollins’ model centers on operational efficiency, customer retention, and route-based service optimization.

Within the consolidation theme, Rollins represents a long-established example of how recurring service businesses in fragmented industries can be aggregated and standardized into a national platform with durable customer relationships.

Installed Building Products, Inc. (NYSE: IBP) is a residential insulation installer that has expanded into a broad range of specialty building products and installation services across the United States. The company primarily serves homebuilders and commercial construction customers.

The insulation and specialty installation market is highly fragmented, with many small contractors operating within local territories. Installed Building Products has grown through an acquisition-driven strategy, purchasing regional installers and integrating them into a centralized operating structure.

While insulation remains the core offering, the company has expanded into complementary services, including waterproofing, fireproofing, garage doors, rain gutters, window blinds, shelving, and other installed building components. This diversification increases revenue per housing start and allows cross-selling across its builder relationships.

The business model is closely tied to residential construction activity. Revenue is generated through installation services rather than product manufacturing, and the company leverages scale to standardize purchasing, safety programs, training, and financial controls across its network of acquired businesses.

Installed Building Products maintains local operating teams while applying centralized oversight and reporting discipline. The model emphasizes operational consistency, procurement leverage, and incremental margin improvement through integration and service mix expansion.

Within the broader consolidation theme, Installed Building Products reflects how a fragmented trade service industry can be aggregated into a national platform through acquisition, standardization, and expanded service offerings tied to existing customer demand.

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