Company Information
QUALITY, VALUES, TRADITION
A History of Aris Horticulture, Inc.
Barberton, Ohio
From modest beginnings – as a partnership of two, hardworking Mennonite brothers, Menno and Ira Yoder – Aris Horticulture Inc. (formerly Yoder Brothers Inc.) has grown to be a world leader in flowering research and breeding. Today, almost 90 years after its founding, G. Ramsey Yoder, Menno's grandson, heads a company of 650 employees.
William G. Rasbach, president and chief executive officer, is in charge of day-to-day operations and shares with Yoder the responsibility of leading the company.
Aris continues evolving to meet the changing horticultural market. In 1995, Blooms of Bressingham® was set up as a new company in North America to introduce exclusive Blooms perennials from England. This has since expanded into a global activity, with business partners in many countries and exciting introductions from breeders worldwide. Shortly afterwards came the acquisition of Green Leaf Enterprises, one of North America's leading perennial growers. These venues put Aris in an excellent position to capitalize on the popularity of gardening.
The company reorganized as Aris in 2008, with the sale of its mum and aster products lines and continues to expand its support of the horticultural industry with new varieties and starter plants of many types. Aris Inc. operates two business units:
Green Leaf Plants® provides growers with starter plants and pre-finished products for perennials, azaleas, tropical hibiscus, hydrangea, mandevilla, roses, exacum, gloxinia, lisianthus and penta. Production facilities are located in Smoketown, Pennsylvania, and Fort Myers Florida.
Keepsake Plants® produces finished potted plants that can be found at retailers and mass merchants across North America. Keepsake specializes in fresh, high quality florist azaleas, chrysanthemums, Fleurettes, tropical hibiscus, mandevillas, hydrangeas, poinsettias, Easter lilies, Persian violets and other flowering plants, including perennials. Production facilities are in Leamington, Ontario and Fort Myers, Florida.
Founding Tradition Remains
Though Aris has become a highly scientific and sophisticated horticultural enterprise, the founding tradition has remained untouched. The company retains a family spirit and a family sense of values remarkable for a company of any size.
Through the years, Aris’ production facilities have moved to other locations with the last Barberton greenhouse closing in 1978. However, the company remained close to its roots by establishing its worldwide corporate headquarters in a former dairy barn of the Barber estate.
The building was renovated in 1985 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The old water storage tank serves as an entrance and meetings are held "in the round" in a conference room in a former silo. Soaring ceilings and massive, exposed beams add architectural interest. More than 50 handcrafted Amish quilts hang from walls and rafters. The building reflects Aris today: an honorable melding of strong traditions with a commitment to being the best.Facilities are located in Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania and Canada
Aris At a Glance
Corporate Headquarters:
Aris Horticulture Inc.
P.O. Box 230
115 Third St. S.E.
Barberton, Ohio 44203-0230
Telephone:
330.745.2143 or 800.232.9557
Fax: 330.745.3098
Number of Employees:
650
Divisions:
Keepsake Plants® – finished product for retailers/growers, Leamington, Ontario, Canada, Fort Myers Florida
Green Leaf Plants® – young and pre-finished plants, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Established:
1920 by Menno and Ira Yoder
Products:
Leading producer of perennials, florist azaleas, tropical hibiscus, hydrangea, gloxinia, lisianthus, mandevilla, pot mums, garden mums, asters and more.
Key Personnel:
G. Ramsey Yoder, Chairman
Thomas D. Doak, Vice Chairman
William G. Rasbach, President and Chief Executive Officer
Scott Schaefer, Vice President Finance and Chief Operations Officer
Johany Rosario, Director of Human Resources
Andrew Bishop, Managing Director, Green Leaf Plants® (Smoketown, Pennsylvania)
Gary Knipe, Managing Director, Keepsake Plants® (Fort Myers Florida)
Rob Bigley, Managing Director, Keepsake Plants® (Leamington, Ontario, Canada)
Websites:
www.GLplants.com
www.Keepsakeplants.com