Privately held agribusiness giant J.R. Simplot Co., which has extensive operations in turfgrass and many other horticultural areas, has acquired two businesses on the Hawaiian Islands, Hawaii Grower Products Inc. and Pacific Agricultural Sales and Services Inc.
A Simplot news release on the acquisitions says they “add three locations, along with strategic regional expertise,” to the company’s operations. The locations – Kapolei, Kahului and Kailua-Kona – serve the entire state.
“We continue to look for opportunities to expand our geographic reach and expansion to Hawaii fits the plan,” said Jeff Roesler, vice president of Simplot’s Specialty Business Units. “Hawaii Grower Products and Pacific Agricultural Sales and Services have been longtime Simplot business partners who know their customers, their geography, and the opportunities for growth; this fits our strategy.”
The timing of the acquisition also fits well with expanded production capabilities and product offerings at Simplot’s operations in Lathrop, California. Those products, such as GAL-XeONE, a controlled-release polymer coated fertilizer, and FŪSN Fused-Safe Nutrients, are ideally suited for turf and horticultural applications in Hawaii, Simplot says.
Employees of both companies will remain, Simplot says, adding that both of the acquired businesses’ owners – Ken Findeisen, and Gilbert and Carol Araki – “will continue in leadership positions as Simplot employees.”
Hawaii Grower Products offers a broad range of products for turf and ornamentals, in addition to services such as soil, plant tissue and water analysis; weed, insect and disease identification; and equipment servicing and repair. Pacific Agricultural Sales & Services is a distributor of agricultural, turf, nursery as well as home and garden products.
J.R. Simplot Co. is based in Boise, Idaho. In addition to its turf and horticulture business, Simplot operations include phosphate mining, fertilizer manufacturing, farming, ranching and cattle production, food processing, food brands, and other enterprises related to agriculture. In addition to the United States, Simplot has major operations in Canada, Mexico, Australia and China. Its products are marketed in more than 40 countries.