Green Circle Announces Major Expansion

Chris Beytes

Two hundred and fifty new jobs and 30 acres of new greenhouse—that’s how Green Circle Growers is describing a planned expansion—the largest in company history, they added.

“The expansion will drive sales through an improved customer experience and accommodate our vision to have a Green Circle Growers’ plant in the line of sight of every consumer in North America,” said C.J. van Wingerden, co-CEO of the Oberlin, Ohio, business.

According to the release, the 3½-year project includes a substantial investment in expansion of the main campus office, a new distribution center and major infrastructure upgrades.

“The growth will result in more than 250 new jobs, many of which will be at the executive level, including a mix of operations, IT, senior leadership, administrative, management and more, bringing our total local workforce to over 1,150,” C.J. added.

The jobs will be at Green Circle Growers and its related companies, Express Seed and Fresh2U Transport-ation & Logistics.

C.J. shared a few details via email about the project, specifically the 30 acres of greenhouse space (which will bring their total greenhouse capacity to 150 acres).

“The demand for green and flowering plants has increased, and this 30-acre expansion will help us meet our customers’ needs,” he replied. “Our team has worked closely with the experts at AgriNomix, Prins and Zwart to help create the exact structure we need to finish both indoor and outdoor plants. This sustainable and automated greenhouse, combined with our amazing team, will allow us to compete in the floriculture market for years to come.”

C.J. says they'll open 7 or 8 acres of the greenhouse every three months for the next year. GT