Armstrong Growers acquires Do Right's Plant Growers

 

The official transfer of ownership is set for June 1, 2015. Prior to this date, Armstrong Growers and Do Right’s will continue preparing for the transition.

 

Armstrong Growers had outgrown its site in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. and looked for a way to continue its growth and allow room for future expansion.

 

“I knew we needed to be in a climate similar to what we have in San Juan Capistrano, so Ventura County was where I started the search,” said James Russell, vice president of Armstrong Growers.

 

Faced with the option of building from the ground up or acquiring an operating nursery, Russell contacted the owners of Do Right’s Nursery as a possible solution.

 

“Knowing the owners through friendly competition, I respectfully asked if they were interested in selling the business,” said Russell. 

 

The two companies reached a deal that accomplished Armstrong’s need to expand and satisfied the desire of the Do Right’s owners to transition the business over to its employees. For Do Right’s owners, it allows them to retire after 44 years in business.

 

“The business has been a labor of love,” said Dudley Davis, owner and president of Do Right’s Plant Growers. “It will be great to see Armstrong Growers continue to operate on our property.”

 

“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,” said Dianne Davis, co-owner of Do Right’s. “They were able to help us keep our wish to pass the business on to the great people that helped us build it.”

 

Armstrong Growers will continue with many of the plant programs offered by Do Right’s and blend in Armstrong’s product mix. 

 

“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 Davis. “Our customers and employees are like family to us, as we take a step toward retirement, we both know we are leaving our family in good hands”

 

Armstrong Growers operates three growing facilities in California and one in Georgia. These sites will coordinate with the new site in Santa Paula. The Do Right’s team will see increased production as the business that Armstrong brings will keep the Santa Paula facility at full capacity year-round.

 

Armstrong Growers will vacate its 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, Calif.