Armstrong Growers a division of Armstrong Garden Centers Inc. is pleased to announce that it has acquired the business assets of Do Right’s Plant Growers in Santa Paula, California. Do Rights staff will now become part of the employee-owned, 126 year old company Armstrong Garden Centers, Inc.
Armstrong Growers had outgrown its site in San Juan Capistrano and was seeking a way to continue its growth while insuring room for future expansion. James Russell Vice President of Armstrong Growers set out to find a new site. “ I knew we needed to be in a climate similar to what we have in San Juan Capistrano, Oxnard/Ventura was where I started the search” Faced with the option of building from the ground up or acquiring an operating nursery, Russell contacted the owners of Do Rights Nursery as one of the possible solutions. “Knowing the owners Dudley and Dianne Davis through friendly competition I respectfully asked if they were interested in selling the business” In the California market Do Rights and Armstrong Growers are the two companies that stand out as the leaders in high quality and dedicated service to specialty retailers. Armstrong Growers has a solid presence in Southern California, Arizona and Nevada. Do Rights also does well in Southern California with a stronger presence in parts north of LA and the Bay Area.
The two companies were able to reach a deal that would accomplish Armstrong’s need to expand and the desire of the Do Right owners to pass the business on to their employees and allow them to retire after 44 successful years in business. “The business has been a labor of love, it will be great to see Armstrong continue to operate on our property” said Dudley Davis, owner and President of Do Right Plant Growers. “James and the Armstrong team have been a pleasure to work with as we part with the business that has been our life for so many years” “They were able to help us keep our wish to pass the business on to the great people that helped us build it” said Dianne Davis, co-owner of Do Rights.
The joining of forces will allow for combined strengths that will benefit the commercial landscape customer and retailer alike. Armstrong Growers will continue with many of the plant programs offered by Do Right’s and blend in Armstrong’s product mix. Armstrong Growers and Do Rights remain dedicated to independent garden centers and create plant products that help set their customers apart from the box stores. “Dudley and I have confidence Armstrong will carry on with the same attention to quality and customer service Do Right’s is known for” Said Dianne Davis. “Our Customers and Employees are like family to us, as we take a step towards retirement, we both know we are leaving our family in good hands” Dudley and Dianne.
“Our companies already share many customers and business partners, we intend to enhance and expand these essential relationships. As a result of our business combination, our customers and partners will now have access to an extraordinary portfolio of plant products and services,” explains Russell.
Armstrong Growers operates three growing facilities in California and one in Atlanta Georgia. These sites will coordinate with the new site in Santa Paula. “One of the reasons we are excited about merging with the Do Right team is the quality of their people” “Dudley and Dianne have a highly skilled production team and incredible sales force” said Russell. The Do Right team will see drastically increased production as the business that Armstrong brings will keep the facility at full capacity year round.
Armstrong Growers will vacate the San Juan Capistrano site by the end of this summer. Plans have been underway for two years to expand its Fallbrook facility to accommodate the move. Certain programs will continue in Santa Paula and some will now be grown in Fallbrook.
The official transfer of ownership is set for June 1, 2015. Prior to this date Armstrong Growers and Do Right’s will do all they can to explain this exciting news and prepare for the transition. James Russell continues, “In our industry it is not often we hear of a company merger where both companies are strong and healthy…with the resources of Armstrong combined with talented people at Do Right’s I see a real positive outcome for the customers and employee owners of Armstrong Growers.”
For more information
Armstrong Growers
2200 E. Route 66
Ste. 200
Glendora, CA 91740
T: 626-914-1091