September 3, 2019

Newsscape August 2019

Snowpoisum returns to LO home office

Landscape Ontario’s Snowposium, an annual event for snow and ice removal contractors and suppliers, will take place Sept. 26 at the association’s newly renovated home office in Milton, Ont. The 2019 event features 19 snow and ice-related exhibitors and a range of educational offerings. Planned topics will include a salt shortage panel discussion, Smart About Salt, liquid de-icers, and commercial vehicles. Conference passes include in-class sessions, lunch and exhibits. Registration is now open, at $85 for provincial trade association members and $115 for non-members. After Sept. 13, prices go up. Details and registration are at Snowposium.ca.

Ontario Landscape Tree Planting Guide released

The newly released Ontario Landscape Tree Planting Guide is the most comprehensive reference document available to the landscape industry. It captures years of research by Vineland Research and Innovation Centre and experts from around the world on tree survival and establishment in challenging environments. The validated recommendations will guide green industry practitioners to sustainably design, build and maintain Canadian landscapes.

“In 1994, Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association published a useful guide for the industry that was revised in 2005,” said Darby McGrath, Vineland researcher. “In 2018, Landscape Ontario partnered with Vineland to develop a 21st-century version based on a comprehensive review of the research contained within the original guide to ensure that the information was relevant.”

McGrath added, “The guide is broken up into step-by-step chapters written to provide readers with a summary of relevant content and up-to-date research findings. There is also a series of corresponding field sheets available where pertinent information from the chapters is itemized into actionable items.” McGrath will present the guide at Congress 2020 with Ian Bruce and Glen Lumis, two of the guide’s steering committee members. Additionally, it will be included in the Canadian Landscape Standards (CLS). The Ontario Landscape Tree Planting Guide is available
online.

B.C. division of Valleybrook Gardens sold

Josami Holdings announced the purchase of Abbotsford, B.C.-based grower Valleybrook Gardens, in June 2019. The move follows the 2017 sale of the Ontario division of Valleybrook Gardens to Brookdale Treeland Nurseries. “When my wife Kelly and I started in the nursery industry 40 years ago as a newly married young couple, we didn’t know what the future held,” John Schroeder, founder and CEO of Valleybrook Gardens, said in a media release. “What we did know was that we would only be satisfied by producing the highest quality plant material, and that innovative marketing and branding was going to be a key to success. We had always expected that this would create the value which would allow us some day to sell our company, so it could continue on after us.”

Valleybrook Gardens is widely known for its Heritage Perennials, the blue pots, Jeepers Creepers, Backyard Fresh and Rock Stars lines, which will continue to be produced under license from Valleybrook International Ventures. The licensing continues to be held by the Schroeder family.

Josami Holdings was recently incorporated by Joe Abi-Ad, who has experience working as an executive with Brookdale Treeland Nurseries.

“I look forward to continuing the legacy built by the Schroeder family in this well-managed business,” Abi-Ad said. “The Valleybrook brands have always differentiated themselves from others through their exceptional quality, thus making the company a highly attractive acquisition target. We will continue to provide the highest quality plants and best service to our customers.”

Apply now for EI top-ups

Employers can use a Supplemental Unemployment Benefit (SUB) plan to increase their employees’ weekly earnings when they are unemployed due to a temporary work stoppage, training or illness. Payments from SUB plans that are registered with Service Canada are not considered as earnings and are not deducted from employees’ employment insurance (EI) benefits.
An SUB plan may be registered with Service Canada, if it meets the requirements of article 37 of the Employment Insurance Regulations; or with the ministry of national revenue (Canada Revenue Agency), if the plan satisfies the conditions for registration under section 145 of the Income Tax Act. Visit canada.ca for full details.

LMN moves to new headquarters

LMN (Landscape Management Network) moved into new corporate headquarters in Markham, Ont. on June 3, 2019.

“These are exciting times for our team as this move signals a major milestone in LMN’s growth,” said Mark Bradley, CEO of LMN. “As the high tech capital of Canada, Markham will give us access to an incredible pool of talent as we continue to grow the business. The new corporate headquarters features dynamic workspaces, a lunchroom and plenty of sunshine and inspiration.” LMN’s 6,500 square foot office was designed by interior design firm Circle Design.

Landscape Management Network staff pose outside their new headquarters in Markham, Ont.

Feds expand loan program

The Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau announced the federal government has implemented new regulations to strengthen the Advance Payments Program (APP).
The amendments made to the Agricultural Marketing Programs Regulations increase loan limits from $400,000 to $1 million for all producers on a permanent basis, and increase the interest-free portion of loans on canola advances from $100,000 to $500,000 in the 2019 program year under the APP. Producers of all other commodities can continue to receive up to $100,000 interest-free. Producers are encouraged to contact their APP administrator regarding application details and processing timelines.

Tree Canada names CEO

The Board of Tree Canada announced the appointment of Danielle St-Aubin as its Chief Executive Officer, effective July 2, 2019. St-Aubin has worked in the not-for-profit sector for more than 15 years and has acquired a deep know-ledge of the development and implementation of a broad range of strategies including communications and marketing, fundraising, sponsorship, and events, the organization said.

The Board of Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, based in Vineland, Ont., has appointed Dr. Ian Potter as Chief Executive Officer. “Having served in senior leadership roles with both the National Research Council Canada (NRC) and Alberta Innovates – Technology Futures (AITF) throughout his 25-year career, Ian has substantial experience in the Canadian research and innovation space,” said Dr. Warren Jestin, Vineland’s Board Chair. “He is a well-rounded executive who brings significant operating expertise and commercialization know-how to Vineland. His team-focused approach aligns well with the extensive skill base and expertise already within the Vineland team and will support continued growth and impact for the horticulture sector.”

“I am excited to be joining Vineland as CEO and look forward to working alongside key stakeholders to expedite opportunities for further collaboration and success within the Canadian horticultural space,” said Dr. Potter.

Danielle St. Aubin

Former Unilock executive passes

Former Unilock executive Joe Kerr passed away in Toronto on June 14, 2019. Kerr joined Unilock as Sales Manager in 1982, and eventually became a key part of the Ontario-based paver manufacturer’s expansion into the United States. Kerr retired in 2010 after 28 years with Unilock, serving as executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Kreitmaker acquiresVintage Brick

Kreitmaker announced the purchase of Toronto-based brick manufacturer Vintage Brick. Also based in Toronto, Ont., Kreitmaker is a supplier of concrete, masonry and landscape products to professionals and homeowners. With the acquisition, Kreitmaker adds Vintage Brick’s Historic Ontario Sized Clay Brick and Contemporary Signature Series to its lineup.

PanAmerican acquires celosia line

PanAmerican Seed has acquired the complete celosia assortment and breeding research from Celex, b.v., a breeder/selection subsidiary under the Dutch cut flower company Fa. Van Der Boog & Van Den Bosch. PanAmerican Seed has collaborated with Celex for more than 25 years on cut-flower celosia series, such as Neo and Sunday, as well as potted and annual celosia series, such as First Flame, Dracula celosia, and most recently the new Concertina series. Celex was responsible for breeding, while PanAmerican Seed handled production, worldwide distribution, and sales and marketing. The acquisition will conclude in October. PanAmerican Seed is a division of Ball Horticulture, based in Chicago, Ill.

Kioti opens distribution centre

Kioti Tractor celebrated its new Canadian Distribution Centre with a ribbon-cutting ceremony May 30, 2019. Located in Mississauga, Ont., the 60,000 sq.-ft facility will anchor Kioti’s Canadian distribution. Kioti is a division of the South Korean manufacturing giant Daedong. Daedong Industrial Chairman, Jun Sik Kim, stated, “It is our dealers’ commitment to Kioti that has allowed us to come this far, and we know that this expansion will serve our growth in the future.”

Kioti's new distribution centre is located in Mississauga, Ont.

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