Fourth-Generation Pacific Northwest Grower Accelerates Hoffmann’s Expansion into a New Region and Positions the Firm Among America’s Largest Greenhouse Producers

BELLINGHAM, Wash. (Jan. 29, 2026) — Hoffmann Family of Companies (“HF Companies”), a family-owned private equity firm based in the United States, is pleased to announce it has acquired a majority interest in Smith Gardens, a family-owned and operated greenhouse growing company headquartered in Bellingham, Wash.

In 2026, Smith Gardens celebrates 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.

Smith Gardens operates five major growing facilities across the Pacific Northwest and California, including:

• Bellingham, Wash.
• Mount Vernon, Wash.
• Marysville, Wash.
• Aurora, Ore.
• 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.

Smith Gardens operates more than four million square feet of greenhouse, with over one hundred 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.

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.

Greg Hoffmann, CEO of Hoffmann Family of Companies’ Real Estate arm, stated: “We are very proud to have Smith Gardens join our agriculture vertical and to add another outstanding family-owned business to our portfolio. 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.”

Eric Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Smith Gardens, commented: “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. 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.”

Mark Smith, Chief Planning Officer, added: “We’ve been familiar with the impressive companies within Hoffmann’s agricultural vertical. 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.”

The deal team was led by Clayton Jones. For more information on the family office, visit HFCompanies.com.

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About Hoffmann Family of Companies:

Hoffmann Family of Companies is a multi-vertical, family-owned private equity firm consisting of over 125 global brands and employs more than 22,000 employees with businesses located in 30 countries and 400 locations around the world. Hoffmann Family of Companies’ verticals include Agriculture, Aviation & Transportation, Financial & Professional Services, Hospitality & Entertainment, Manufacturing, Marine, Media & Marketing and Real Estate. For more information, visit HFCompanies.com.

About Smith Gardens:

At Smith Gardens, growing is more than a business, it’s a purpose. Founded in the Pacific Northwest, Smith Gardens is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2026. Today, the company is operated by the fourth generation of the Smith family, with the fifth generation actively involved. Smith Gardens employs more than 1,200 people and operates over 4 million square feet of greenhouse and over one hundred acres of outdoor production space. In addition to producing and delivering annual and perennial ornamental plants, the company also operates a merchandising service and a young plant division. For more information, visit SmithGardens.com and www.PPandL.com.

About the Hoffmann Agricultural Vertical:

This rapidly growing area of investment for HF Companies produces herbs, wine, fresh plants, flowers, golf products, and dairy products. The family’s holdings represent close to 5,500 acres of land, including:

• California:
  • Bay Area Herbs & Specialties
  • Smith Gardens
• Florida:
  • American Farms
  • Old Collier Golf Club
  • Old Corkscrew Golf Club (Pandion Club)
  • Kaleidoscope Florist
  • Topiary Creations
• Illinois
  • Hoffmann Heimos Greenhouses
  • Meyer Farms
  • Millstadt Young Plants
  • World Wide Farms
• Mexico
  • World Wide Farms
• Missouri:
  • Augusta Winery
  • Balducci Vineyards
  • Ferguson Valley Nurseries
  • Hoffmann Heimos Greenhouses
  • Hoffmann Hillerman Nursery
  • Knoernschild Vineyards
  • Micky’s Minis
  • Montelle Vineyards
  • Mount Pleasant Estates
  • Town & Country Nursery
• Oregon:
  • Smith Gardens
• Washington:
  • Smith Gardens

For More Information: [email protected]