Clearview Capital Fund III, LP announced today the merger of Wilson Orchard & Vineyard Supply, LLC with Oregon Vineyard Supply. The transaction closed on December 20, 2018.
Wilson is a leading provider of orchard and vineyard supplies and solutions. Over its 31-year history, Wilson has developed a strong reputation as a value-added partner to growers of apples, grapes, cherries, hops and berries through its deep expertise in irrigation, trellising, netting and cloth solutions. Wilson operates out of ten locations in Washington, Oregon, California and New York, and also services growers nationwide through its e-commerce platform, www.orchardvalleysupply.com.
Oregon Vineyard Supply, better known as OVS, is a leading provider of vineyard and agricultural supplies, equipment and services with seven locations in Oregon and Washington. Founded in 1985, OVS had been ESOP-owned since 2008. Like Wilson, OVS has developed an excellent reputation over a history of more than 30 years serving growers of grapes, berries, nuts, hops and orchard fruit.
“We have always admired OVS as a highly complementary player in our market, and are thrilled to join forces with them and offer a broader array of solutions to our customers, becoming even more of a one-stop shop,” commented Joe Perry, Wilson’s CEO. “For example, OVS offers valuable agronomic solutions that we haven’t offered before. And its vineyard management division, Results Partners, is very highly regarded. On the other hand, OVS hasn’t offered irrigation products and solutions before so that is an offering we will be able to deliver to their customers. Our overlap is minimal but our opportunities are plenty.”
“We are equally excited to be partnering up with Wilson,” added Matt Novak, OVS’ CEO. “Joe and I began talking about the possibility of merging early in 2018, and the more we spoke about it, the more obvious it became how complementary our two organizations are, not only from a customer and product standpoint, but just as importantly from a cultural perspective. We both believe in providing the best possible solutions for our customers and developing an organization that our employees can grow and thrive in. This merger accomplishes all of the above.”
The combined company will go to market as OVS, which will stand for Orchard & Vineyard Supply, and will soon be introducing a new logo that recognizes the heritage of both businesses. The leadership and employees of both organizations will remain in place, and the management teams of both Wilson and OVS will own substantial equity in the combined company alongside Clearview.
“Wilson’s merger with OVS caps a terrific year in which Wilson also completed three tuck-in acquisitions, established one de novo location, and made significant investments in personnel and infrastructure,” said Matt Rumilly, Partner at Clearview Capital. “We’re very proud of what the team has accomplished, and we’re also very excited to begin working with Matt Novak and the OVS team, which has produced outstanding results as well.”
Calvin Neider, Managing Partner and co-Founder of Clearview Capital, added, “OVS represents Clearview’s first acquisition of an ESOP-owned company. It was a learning process for us, as this ownership structure brings a set of unique challenges and opportunities. The OVS team was great to work with throughout the process. We would welcome the opportunity to work on more situations like this one in the future.”
Wilson is a platform investment in Clearview Capital Fund III, LP, a $325 million committed fund raised in 2013.
Holdings in funds managed by Clearview Capital include Apothecare Pharmacy, LLC, an institutional pharmacy targeting the behavioral health sector; Community Medical Services Holdings, LLC, a provider of medication-assisted treatment programs for patients suffering from substance use disorders; Mudlick Mail, LLC, a data-driven and related marketing solutions provider; Nielsen-Kellerman Co., a designer and manufacturer of premium environmental and athletic performance measurement instruments; Wilson Orchard and Vineyard Supply, LLC, a distributor of orchard and vineyard equipment, irrigation systems, and related agricultural supplies; Controlled Products, LLC, a manufacturer and distributor of premium quality synthetic turf; Advanced Medical Personnel Services, Inc., a provider of nationwide healthcare staffing solutions; Elevation Labs f.k.a. Northwest Cosmetic Labs, a formulator and manufacturer of cosmetic and skin care products for prestige brands; Derby Building Products, Inc. f.k.a. Novik, Inc., an innovator, manufacturer and distributor of polymer building products; Child Health Holdings, Inc. d.b.a. Pediatric Health Choice, the country’s largest provider of prescribed pediatric extended care (“PPEC”) centers for medically complex children; and Pyramid Healthcare, Inc., a provider of substance use disorder and mental health treatment programs for adults and adolescents.
