This slipped by me when it happened back in December. Gardener's Supply is now employee owned. It's great that the employees were able to buy this company from a progressive owner/founder.
I don't know of another company that has strived as much as they have over the years to offer a variety of sub-irrigated (aka "self-watering") planters (SIPs).
Manufacturers have come and gone in this product category and it is not easy to maintain a consistent source of supply.
Vermont gardening company sold to employees - BusinessWeek
Burlington-based Gardener's Supply Co. has been sold to its employees.
The owner of the 26-year-old garden products retailer started selling shares of the company to its employees in 1987.
The company says it could have been sold to outside buyers, but employee ownership reaffirms the company's commitment to Vermont and its 250 full-time and 100 seasonal employees.
The company is privately owned and so doesn't release sales figures.
Owner and founder Will Raap says the founding mission of the company was to spread the joys of gardening.
Raap will continue to be company chairman, but he will also work on several other nonprofit and for profit initiatives.
Gardener's Supply says four of its original eight workers are still with the company.
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