Breaking: Metrolina Greenhouses and South Central Growers Announce Strategic Merger
December 19, 2025 
Photo: Metrolina Greenhouses
Metrolina Greenhouses and South Central Growers have announced a strategic merger, effective Jan. 1, 2026, that unites two established greenhouse operations to accelerate growth, expand capabilities, and strengthen service to retail partners. The combined organization will operate under the Metrolina Greenhouses brand.
Metrolina Greenhouses (#5 on Greenhouse Grower’s 2025 Top 100 Growers list), based in Huntersville, NC, with operations in York, SC, and South Central Growers (#55 on the Top 100 list), based in Springfield, TN, have a long history of collaboration, shared values, and aligned operating philosophies. Together, the companies will form a growth-focused organization designed to respond to evolving customer expectations and increasing industry complexity.
“At its core, this merger is about growth,” says Abe VanWingerden, CEO of Metrolina Greenhouses. “Growth allows us to invest more, serve customers better, and create more opportunities for our people. This partnership enables us to grow faster and smarter by bringing together two highly aligned teams.”
“Our companies both believe that changing faster is better than changing slower,” VanWingerden told Greenhouse Grower Editor Brian Sparks in a recent interview. “We want our companies to be innovating and moving forward at all times, and so we’re making as many changes as we can right out the gate to accelerate our growth.”
A Strategic Response to Industry Change
Despite strong consumer demand for live goods, the horticulture industry continues to experience consolidation driven by rising capital requirements, operational complexity, and heightened customer expectations. Leaders from both companies said the merger represents a proactive response to these complex dynamics.
“The industry is changing rapidly, and consolidation isn’t slowing down,” says Alex Van Der Hengst, CEO of South Central Growers. “We’re passionate about this business and wanted a path that allows us to continue operating, growing, and investing at a higher level. This merger gives us that opportunity while keeping our leadership team deeply involved.”
Under the agreement, South Central Growers’ ownership group will become shareholders in Metrolina Greenhouses, and its leadership team will remain active in operations and strategic growth.
“This is not an exit – it’s an opportunity,” Van Der Hengst says. “By combining leadership, systems, and scale, we can grow faster together than either company could independently.”
(Click here to listen to our podcast featuring more thoughts from Abe and Alex, or click the video the below)
Continuity for Customers, Expanded Capabilities
Retail partners can expect continuity in day-to-day operations, customer leadership teams, and quality standards. The merger is designed to build upon existing customer relationships while accelerating capabilities.
“Our customer model isn’t changing,” VanWingerden says. “What changes is speed and scale – expanded ship lanes, faster replenishment, fresher product, and broader solutions executed more efficiently.”
In addition to physical growth, the combined organization will pursue opportunities across omnichannel retail, including direct-to-consumer, buy-online-pick-up-in-store, and other emerging fulfillment models, as well as expanded product categories.
Growth Through Scale, Not Cost Cutting
Leadership emphasized that the merger is not driven by reductions. Both companies operate lean, efficient organizations, and growth – rather than cost cutting – is the primary driver of efficiencies.
“You don’t cut your way to growth and profitability; you grow your way there,” VanWingerden says. “By combining talent, systems, and scale, efficiencies emerge naturally as the business expands.”
Commitment to Employees and Communities
All employees from both organizations will be integrated into the combined company, with greenhouse site leadership and customer teams remaining intact.
“What changes is the expanded level of support, systems, and opportunity around the team,” Van Der Hengst says. “One of the most exciting parts of this merger is what it means for our people; it opens the door for them to step into bigger roles, develop new skill sets, and have a broader impact within a larger organization.”
The merger supports long-term employment sustainability and an organizational structure designed to attract and develop next-generation leadership across a broad range of backgrounds and expertise.
“By creating a larger, tech-powered, people-driven organization, we open up more roles, more career paths, and more opportunities,” VanWingerden says. Not every next-generation leader has to be the CEO or COO, and that’s a healthier model for long-term sustainability.”
Both companies also reaffirmed their commitment to community engagement and charitable involvement across all operating regions.
“This merger allows us to deepen our investment in the communities where we operate,” VanWingerden added. “Strong businesses and strong communities go hand in hand.”
Leadership Structure
Following the merger:
- Abe VanWingerden will be the Chief Executive Officer of Metrolina Greenhouses.
- Art VanWingerden will be the Chief Operating Officer, Supply Chain, Horticulture, and Site Management.
- Alex Van Der Hengst will be the Chief Revenue Officer.
- Michael VanWingerden will be the Chief Operating Officer, Labor and Logistics.
- Thomas VanWingerden will be the Chief Operating Officer, Operations.
- Ron Van Der Hengst will be the Chief Operating Officer, Springfield Site
- Tim Van Der Hengst will be the Chief Growing Officer, Springfield Site.
- The rest of the Executive Leadership Team will remain in their current roles.
Moore & Van Allen PLLC, in Charlotte, NC, served as legal counsel to Metrolina Greenhouses, and Walker & Garner, in Springfield, TN, served as legal counsel for South Central Growers.
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