Breaking: Smith Gardens Acquired by Hoffmann Family of Companies
January 29, 2026 
Hoffmann Family of Companies (HF Companies), a family-owned private equity firm, has acquired a majority interest in Smith Gardens, a family-owned and operated greenhouse growing company headquartered in Bellingham, WA.
In 2026, Smith Gardens (# 12 on Greenhouse Grower’s 2025 Top 100 Growers list with more than 3.7 million square feet of greenhouse production) is celebrating 125 years of growing plants in the Pacific Northwest. Today, the company is led by the fourth generation of the Smith family — Eric and Mark Smith — with members of the fifth generation already actively involved. Smith Gardens will continue under Eric and Mark’s leadership, as they retain partial ownership and remain in their leadership roles guiding the company’s strategic direction.
The acquisition also includes Pacific Plug & Liner, Smith Gardens’ young plant propagation division. Located nine miles from Monterey Bay, Pacific Plug & Liner uses its ideal coastal climate to produce specialty plugs and liners in 250,000 square feet of greenhouse space. This part of the company is known for perennials, innovative young plant varieties, and trend-driven programs that support customer and retail success.
Smith Gardens operates five major growing facilities across the Pacific Northwest and California, including:
- Bellingham, WA
- Mount Vernon, WA
- Marysville, WA
- Aurora, OR
- Watsonville, Calif. (home of Pacific Plug & Liner)
This strategic partnership expands HF Companies’ rapidly growing agricultural vertical into a new geographic region, complementing its existing holdings in California, Florida, Illinois, Missouri, and Mexico. Last April, HF Companies acquired N.G. Heimos Greenhouses in Illinois.
Smith Gardens also grows on 100 acres of outdoor production space and employs 1,200 people. In addition to producing and delivering annual and perennial ornamental plants, the company also operates a merchandising service division.
“We are very proud to have Smith Gardens join our agriculture vertical and to add another outstanding family-owned business to our portfolio,” says Greg Hoffmann, CEO of Hoffmann Family of Companies’ Real Estate. “Eric, Mark and their team have built a remarkable company, and we believe they will achieve even greater success with expanded resources, invested capital, and the support system we provide.”
“When we met the Hoffmann family, it quickly became clear that they value long-term relationships, customer focus, and growing a great team—just as we do,” says Eric Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Smith Gardens. “As we considered a partner for the next phase of our growth, culture was a top priority, and we found the right alignment here. Mark and I are honored to remain at the helm and maintain the continuity that began with our great-grandfather and has guided our family through every generation.”
“We’ve been familiar with the impressive companies within Hoffmann’s agricultural vertical,” says Mark Smith, Chief Planning Officer. “We see a bright future in partnership with the Hoffmann family as we continue to uphold our mission: ‘Our Business is Growing’: People, Plants, and Opportunity. Together, we’ll keep delivering the quality and service our customers know and trust.”
For more information on the family office, visit HFCompanies.com.
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