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
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