Koch Turf And Ornamental and Turf Care Supply Corp. Reach Exclusive Licensing Agreement
WICHITA, Kan.
– Koch Agronomic Services, LLC, operating under its corporate brand Koch Turf and Ornamental (Koch), and Turf Care Supply Corporation (TCSC), reached a definitive agreement to grant TCSC an exclusive license to market and distribute the following Koch turf and ornamental enhanced efficiency fertilizers in North America for turf and ornamental applications –DURATION®, HYDREXX®, NITROFORM®, NUTRALENE®, UFLEXX®, UMAXX®and XCU®. The agreement will also provide TCSC an opportunity to purchase and resell NITAMIN® fertilizer to turf and ornamental professionals.
TCSC – one of the nation’s largest blenders and packagers of fertilizer products as well as the largest producer of coated nitrogen products for the turf & ornamental industry –has formed a new entity, Allied Nutrients, to market and distribute these technologies. Allied Nutrients believes the agreement will provide a science-based, expansive platform of products as they launch this new business unit.
As part of this agreement, members of the Koch team will transition to Allied Nutrients, including agronomy, customer service and sales, bringing more than 100 years of collective industry experience.
“Through this exclusive license, we are able to greatly expand our technology portfolio,” said Bill Milowitz, chief executive officer and president of TCSC. “We are excited to welcome the Koch team into the Allied Nutrient family, and we are certain that their expertise and knowledge will allow us to better serve our customers in the future.”
The combination of Koch’s strong portfolio of controlled-release, slow-release, and stabilized nitrogen fertilizers with TCSC’s robust production and Allied Nutrient’s distribution and sales capability provides a clear opportunity to accelerate adoption of these technologies by a wider audience of turf professionals. These technologies allow for optimized nutrient uptake, fewer fertilizer applications and minimized impact to the environment.
“TCSC has been manufacturing XCU for years so we are familiar with their high-quality standards, dedication to customer service and state-of-the-art facilities,” said Steve Coulter, senior vice president of Koch Agronomic Services. “With TCSC’s production assets and Allied Nutrient’s sole focus on the turf and ornamental industry combined with the broader product offering and the experienced Koch team, we believe Allied Nutrients will be very well positioned to serve Koch’s current turf customers and the industry as a whole.
”Koch will retain rights to offer their turf and ornamental products and brands to customers outside of North America. The transaction is expected to close August 31.
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About Koch Agronomic Services, LLC
Koch Agronomic Services, LLC and its affiliates produce and market a proven and expanding global portfolio of plant performance technologies for agriculture producers and turf and ornamental professionals. With a commitment to creating real, sustainable, long-term value for customers and society, Koch Agronomic Services, LLC focuses on developing customer-driven solutions to maximize plant performance and minimize environmental impact. Koch Agronomic Services, LLC is a subsidiary of Koch Ag & Energy Solutions, LLC. www.kochagronomicservices.com.
About Turf Care Supply Corporation
Turf Care Supply Corp. has been the leader in American manufacturing and product innovations for the professional green industry for over 45 years. TCSC formulates many of the top performing professional and retail fertilizer brands integrating only the highest quality raw materials and the most effective technologies. In addition, Turf Care Supply Corp. operates the largest Nitrogen coating facility, focused on the Turf and Ornamental Industries. In 2015, TCSC was acquired from Platinum Equity, LLC by senior management.
Turf Care Supply - TurfReport Blog
Turf Care Supply, LLC, a portfolio company of Platte River Equity, has officially acquired Beaty Fertilizer, the industry respected Tennessee-based manufacturer and blender of custom granular and liquid fertilizers, as well as combination products. This strategic move expands Turf Care’s manufacturing footprint, adds new product capabilities, and enhances overall production capacity. “The partnership with Beaty Fertilizer marks a major milestone in our journey and an important step forward in our mission to grow, innovate and lead in our industry,” said Mark Mangan, President of Turf Care. “This acquisition is more than just expansion; it’s a powerful opportunity to strengthen our product offerings, broaden our market reach and provide greater value to our customers. By welcoming Beaty into the Turf Care family, we are reinforcing our commitment to excellence and positioning ourselves for an even brighter future.” “We are excited about this next step in the Beaty Fertilizer story. For almost 50 years, our family and our employees have worked hard to serve customers and communities with pride and heart,” said John Beaty, President of Beaty. “Now, we are embracing an opportunity for growth with Turf Care. With our combined know-how and resources, we’ll keep building on what we’ve worked so hard to create and bring even more value to our customers, employees and partners. We truly believe this partnership will keep the Beaty legacy going strong while opening up new doors for growth and innovation.” Tarun Kanthety, Vice President at Platte River, added, “We believe the acquisition of Beaty Fertilizer represents a strategic step in expanding Turf Care’s footprint and product breadth... as it scales and enhances its value proposition to customers.”
Root out Grubs, Before they Attack Yours! White grubs, the immature stage of several scarab beetles—including Japanese beetles, masked chafers, May and June beetles, and green June beetles—are a major threat to turfgrass across the Southeast. These beetles follow a complete metamorphosis (egg, grub, pupa, adult), with most species completing their cycle in one year. Eggs are laid in early summer, grubs hatch within two weeks, and begin feeding on turfgrass roots through the late summer and fall. May and June beetles differ slightly, with a two- to three-year life cycle and prolonged feeding as third-instar grubs. Grubs damage turf by severing roots, causing grass to yellow, wilt, or lift easily from the soil. Feeding is typically concentrated in patches and worsens during hot, dry weather. Wildlife digging for grubs can create further turf destruction. Healthy turf may tolerate 5–10 grubs per square foot, but damage becomes evident as populations rise or turf is under stress. Early detection and timing are essential. Scouting begins in late June, shortly after adult beetle activity peaks. Monitoring plants favored by beetles can signal egg-laying is underway. Treatment is most effective when small grubs are active—typically from mid-July through early August. For professional turfgrass managers, insecticides containing imidacloprid (Merit®), chlorantraniliprole (Acelepryn®), or trichlorfon (Dylox®) are the most effective tools. The primary months of preventative application of Acelepryn® is from April to end of May and Merit® from April into July - targeting grubs before they hatch. Curative treatments with Dylox® or similar products are applied July through the fall, when young grubs are feeding and most vulnerable. Always follow label directions for optimal application and safety. Timing may vary slightly by regional seasonal needs. Turf Care Supply has a variety of professional TCS Growstar insecticide fertilizers available to protect your turf and prevent grub damage, before it starts. Click on the button below to view products, contact your sales rep for addition TC Growstar products available.
Platte River Equity Portfolio Company Turf Care Supply, LLC Acquires Agri-Nutrients, Inc. Brunswick, OH , October 9, 2024 – Platte River Equity (“Platte River”) portfolio company Turf Care Supply, LLC (“Turf Care”) is pleased to announce its acquisition of Agri-Nutrients, Inc. (“Agri-Nutrients”), a manufacturer and blender of custom granular fertilizers for the turf & ornamental (“T&O”) industry. This strategic acquisition provides Turf Care with an established presence in the south-central United States, an enhanced product portfolio and additional manufacturing capacity. “This acquisition represents much more than a business transaction; it is a strategic step forward in expanding our reach and enhancing our customers’ growth. By bringing Agri-Nutrients into the Turf Care family, we are broadening our product portfolio, expanding our market presence and further positioning ourselves as a leader in providing innovative solutions for our customers,” said Mark Mangan, President of Turf Care. “We are excited about joining the Turf Care team,” said Jim Montgomery, President of Agri-Nutrients. “At Agri-Nutrients, our core values center around customer service and product innovation, and we are confident that this combination will allow us to better serve the needs of our customers.” “Platte River welcomes the Agri-Nutrients team to Turf Care. This transaction underscores our long-term commitment to fostering growth through both organic and inorganic initiatives across the Turf Care platform,” said Tarun Kanthety, Vice President of Platte River. “The partnership with Agri-Nutrients strengthens Turf Care’s value-added offering, creating additional growth opportunities across the combined customer base.” B&A Corporate Advisors served as the exclusive financial advisor to Agri-Nutrients. About Agri-Nutrients Founded in 1992 and based in Catoosa, OK, Agri-Nutrients is a manufacturer and blender of custom granular fertilizers for the T&O industry, predominantly selling into the lawn care, sports turf and golf course end markets. About Turf Care Supply Established in 1974, Turf Care Supply is one of the largest formulators and blenders of urea products to the T&O market. Turf Care has a comprehensive product portfolio of fertilizers, combination products (herbicide/insecticide), soil amendments and enhanced efficiency fertilizer ingredients. Turf Care's products are sold to distributors and blenders serving the commercial, residential and golf end markets. Turf Care operates four manufacturing facilities strategically located throughout the eastern U.S. About Platte River Equity Founded in 2006 and based in Denver, CO, Platte River Equity is a private equity firm focused on investments in established lower middle market operating companies within targeted industrial sectors where it has substantial operating and investing experience. Platte River utilizes prudent capital structures in order to invest in future growth opportunities and withstand changing economic environments. The firm also provides significant ongoing support to its portfolio companies through dedicated resources across functional areas. The firm has raised funds with committed capital in excess of $1.6 billion and is currently investing out of its fifth fund. The Platte River team is the largest collective investor across its funds, deeply aligning the firm with its investors and portfolio company management teams.