Aug 6, 2004

Yoder Expands Product MixSource: Yoder Brothers and Earl J. Small Growers

Yoder Brothers has reached a tentative agreement to acquire four of the five potted plant crops from Earl J. Small Growers, Pinellas Park, Fla.

Under terms of the agreement, Yoder will acquire all of Small’s seed inventory and genetic materials for future seed production of the exacum series Champion, Little Champ, Mini-Persian, Royal and Double Royal; gloxinia series Super Compact, Florist Regular, and Mini; lisianthus series Little Bell, DreamRose Double and King; and penta Monarch series.

The seed supply will be used by Yoder to produce liners for sale to growers via the Yoder Sales and Yoder Distributor network. According to Chris Kelleher public relations manager for Yoder Brothers, “Effective immediately, all orders are coming through Yoder and product is shipping now.”

Yoder’s transaction with Earl J. Small Growers is expected to be completed by mid-August. Orders on file with Small will be transferred to Yoder and will be filled with the same quality product Small’s and Yoder’s customers have become accustomed to.

According to Rick Hollis, former president/CEO and current consultant for Earl J. Small Growers, the company will be finishing production within the next several weeks and is working on closing the corporation within the next two years. The fifth of their potted crops, gerbera daisies, is in the process of being sold to another party, according to Hollis. “We trust there will be a seamless transition of all current and future orders for all the Small’s bred product lines we have supplied in the past,” said Hollis.

There are a number of details that Yoder and Earl J. Small Growers are working out in the deal. As far as the Small breeder, Paul Cummiskey, “Paul will be working with Yoder to coordinate the transfer process,” said Kelleher. And according to Hollis, “Paul will also be working and helping with the future seed and seedling production.” Bay Gardens may be contracting with Yoder to help and produce plugs for the Small line, “Bay Gardens is continuing to produce the plugs for Yoder to fill orders with the same quality product Small’s and Yoder’s customers have become accustomed to,” according to Kelleher.

These product series have a strong following in the industry and complement Yoder’s existing pot plant lines, according to Kelleher. “We look forward to these additions to our product offering,” said Bill Rasbach, Yoder CEO. For more information contact Yoder Customer Service at (800) 321-9573.