Houweling’s Group has partnered with investment firm Equilibrium to modernize and expand production at its greenhouses.
Houweling’s, Camarillo, Calif., plans to modernize existing greenhouses in California, expand capacity in Mona, Utah, facilities, and accelerate the company’s growth, according to a news release.
“We had been seeking a strategic equity partner for the past few years, recognizing the need for outside capital to react to growing customer demand for fresh, safe and 365 day-a-year production” Kevin Doran, president and CEO, said in a news release. “By partnering with Equilibrium, who bring a deep understanding of the greenhouse and agriculture sectors, we expect to unlock the full potential of our company.”
Equilibrium chairman Dave Chen said his firm is impressed with Houweling’s retail business and the brand the vegetable grower has built in the past 20 years in the U.S.
“What attracted us to Houweling’s is their innovations in sustainability to create operational advantages, and environmental/climate action impact,” Chen said in the release.
The Utah greenhouse captures heat and CO2 from a neighboring power plant and uses it in the production of vegetables.
“This is exactly the kind of economic and sustainability impact we look for in our strategies,” Chen said in the release.
Doran said the waste heat and CO2 from the power plant can support a greenhouse twice the size of the current operation. The company plans a 30-acre addition, which construction starting this year.
“The expansion will provide further economic development for the neighboring communities and allow the company to expand the locally grown product mix available to our customers from that greenhouse,” Doran said in the release.
Besides California and Utah, Houweling’s has production in Delta, British Columbia and Loveland Colo. It grows tomatoes, bell peppers and cucumbers year-round, with more than 200 acres overall, according to the release.
