Hydrofarms Announces Acquisition of Plant Nutrient Supplier

By Johnny Eppich|May 2, 2021

Hydrofarm, a distributor and manufacturer of controlled environment agriculture equipment and supplies, announced it has acquired HEAVY 16, a Paramount, CA-based premium plant nutrient maker.

This is the first acquisition since Hydrofarm’s December 2020 initial public offering via Nasdaq. HEAVY 16 will also be the first line of nutrients to be manufactured under the Hydrofarm umbrella.

“As a leading hydroponics company, a key component of our growth strategy is to bring dynamic brands like HEAVY 16 under the Hydrofarm umbrella and continue to solidify our position as the acquirer of choice in this highly fragmented and fast-growing industry,” says Bill Toler, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Hydrofarm. “Controlled environment agriculture is in the midst of a revolution and poised to be the most significant new market category to emerge in a generation.”

HEAVY 16 CEO Aaron Berkowitz will join the Hydrofarm senior management team upon completing the transaction scheduled for May 2021. In addition, HEAVY 16 Founder and Chief Agronomist, Bryce Patterson, will continue to work alongside Berkowitz as Chief Agronomist, focusing on research and development, customer experience, and integration efforts.

“Since HEAVY 16’s inception, our innovation has been driven by listening to local farmers and using the highest-grade ingredients to formulate a potent and streamlined nutrient regimen to help them achieve their goals,” Berkowitz says. “As the first line of nutrients to be manufactured under the Hydrofarm umbrella, we now have the opportunity to further accelerate the development and introduction of solutions that empower growers to operate more effectively and sustainably as this transformative industry continues to evolve. We are thrilled to join the Hydrofarm family of brands as we explore new frontiers in the CEA space together.”