Apr 26, 2022

Swiss Holding Company Acquires Ontario Plants

Young plant supplier Ontario Plants Propagation Limited has been acquired by Switzerland-based COFRA Holding, the company announced in April 26 news release.

Financial details will not be disclosed, according to the news release.

Founded in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada in 2002, Ontario Plants supplies starter tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers for greenhouse growers throughout Canada and the United States, according to the news release. The company has developed a sophisticated propagation process that includes hygiene standards and biocontrols.

“Controlled Environment Agriculture will be essential to meeting the world’s food needs over the coming decades and, as one of the leading suppliers in North America, Ontario Plants is an ideal addition to COFRA’s offering in the sustainable food space,” COFRA Holding CEO Boudewijn Beerkens said in the news release.

The acquisition of Ontario Plants is COFRA’s third investment in the sustainable food system in the past five months, following the acquisition of Dalsem, a high-tech greenhouse developer based in the Netherlands, and an investment in Intelligent Growth Solutions, a UK-based vertical farming technology provider, according to the news release.

Ontario Plants’ experienced management team will continue to lead the business, under COFRA’s ownership, from St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada.

“We have focused since 2002 on being a trusted and reliable partner to our grower clients and, as the founding Vanderkooy family members, we are confident this will continue under COFRA’s ownership,” Ontario Plants Chairman and Co-Founder Steve Vanderkooy said in the news release.

COFRA Holding AG is a privately held group of companies active in a variety of business sectors, including apparel retail, real estate investment, renewable energy, private equity investment management and asset management.

Above, Ontario Plants’ 45-acre (18.2 hectare) high-tech greenhouse facility in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada. Photos: COFRA Holding