Maximum Yield USA April 2018 | Page 93

HAS BFG SUPPLY MOVED OR EXPANDED SINCE THOSE EARLY DAYS? We have, and we have a number of milestones over the past 18 years we’d like to share. • 2000: BFG welcomed Cardinal Ventures LLC on board as principal owner. Cardinal, a private equity firm based in Indianapolis, IN, shared our commitment to providing unparalleled service and quality products to our customers. Their resources and expertise have enabled us to continue to grow and exceed even our own expectations. At this point, BFG was eight locations strong, covering Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. • 2002: BFG’s first geographic expansion by way of acquisition took place. The purchase of J.G. Smith & Co. in Batavia, IL, extended our existing service area to the Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Missouri markets. • 2003: Our acquisition of Brighton By-Products in Brighton, PA, occurred, broadening our ability to serve growers in western Pennsylvania. • 2004: We expanded yet again by opening a brand new service center in De Forest, WI, to better serve our customer base in Wisconsin. • 2006: Our acquisition of MDM Horticultural Supplies in Minneapolis, MN, occurred, expanding BFG’s territory out as far as the Dakotas. • 2007: We acquired the Kalamazoo Co-op in Kalamazoo, MI. The facilities within this location became the third hub within our warehouse chain and allowed us to more efficiently serve customers within this region. • 2008: We opened our newest service center in Louisville, KY, to improve our service to an expanding customer base. • 2010: BFG Supply Co. was acquired by Parallel49 Equity, Inc., a private equity firm with offices in Vancouver, BC, and Lake Forest (Chicago), IL. Parallel49’s strategic and capital resources have enabled BFG to continue to grow while still providing top-notch products and service to our customers. Parallel49 was founded by those once immersed in our industry, with the principals being former executives of Hines Nurseries and SunGro. Indoor growing has always been a natural part of our business and we’ve been here for our customers as the demand continues to grow.” • 2011: Our acquisition of Wetsel Inc., a company with a 100-year history in the industry, allowed us to expand our coverage to a total of 23 states, expand our product line, and add lawn, garden, and turf products to the markets BFG Supply Co. serves. Wetsel has a rich history within our industry, starting with Daniel M. Wetsel’s decision to grow and sell seeds via a small portable cart. That grew to a business which touted 17,000 stocked items from 275 manufacturers, maintained two warehouses, and employed more than 140 people before BFG’s acquisition. Later in 2011, BFG expanded again by acquiring JR Johnson. With this addition, we gained a stronger customer base in Minneapolis and the surrounding areas, plus added product lines. • 2013: In January, we expanded our footprint in the lawn and garden industry by securing a 200,000 square-foot warehouse facility formerly owned by Commerce Corp in Grand Rapids, MI. In addition to the facility, new lawn and garden product lines have been added and over 50 key employees hired to support this effort. groundbreakers 93