Press Releases
Willoway Named Best In Class Employer

Avon, OH | January 2024

Willoway Nurseries, Inc. was recognized as a Best-in-Class employer based on results from Gallagher’s 2023 U.S. Benefits Strategy & Benchmarking Survey.


U.S. Organizations are ranked based on answers to how we support our employees’ physical, emotional, career and financial wellbeing. Willoway Nurseries stood out as an organization committed to our people and strategic approach to benefits, HR, and compensation, which inclusively engages and motivates our employees.


Willoway Nurseries takes a proactive and structured approach to planning, developing and implementing comprehensive benefits and HR programs. Supporting our workforce builds our overall organizational strength and resilience. We are proud of this recognition!


Community Day

Avon, OH | September 2023

Willoway Nurseries, Inc. had the pleasure of hosting a fundraiser for Avon schools by partnering with the local boosters and several other businesses. Thanks to everyone who participated and supported the cause - we hope to make this an annual tradition!


Walk to End Lupus Now

Elyria, OH | September 2022

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO JOINED US AT BUR OAK PARK IN ELYRIA, OH FOR THE 2022 WALK TO END LUPUS NOW!


SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO KEVIN AND MARILYN GARN FOR BRINGING OUT THEIR 1950 FORD COUPE!


TEAM FLARE FIGHTERS RAISED A TOTAL OF $2956!


Willoway Greenhouse Division Selected as 2022 Operation of the Year Finalist

Huron, OH | July 2022

Willoway Nurseries, Inc. had our greenhouse division selected as a 2022 Operation of the Year Finalist by Greenhouse Grower Magazine!

Excellence in Management: Willoway Nurseries, Ohio
Willoway Nurseries thrives on its open-book management approach, specifically its adherence to the “Great Game of Business” (GGOB) program. GGOB focuses on three areas of running a successful business: communications, understanding the “why”, and building a team culture. These foundational pillars support day-to-day operations.

At the employee level, seven culture teams, comprised of about 10% of Willoway’s workforce, meet weekly to discuss areas of concern in their departments. In addition, they act as a conduit for communication from both the bottom up and from the top down.

The GGOB approach is also a major component in maintaining profitability. Every employee is focused on the critical number of profit before tax, and all financial decisions are based on how they affect that number. As a result, every team member knows where they stand, and whether or not the company is on the path to profitability.

HOLA Project Brings Together Local Students and Willoway Employees

North Ridgeville, OH | May 2022

The Spanish 1 Students at Ranger High Tech Academy in North Ridgeville, OH recently made 170 Hola for the migrant farm workers at our community partner, Willoway Nursery. The learners worked hard. They designed, planned, and organized the entire project. They learned about donation campaigns. They learned that using their Spanish could make people feel welcomed and wanted. A very special thank you to all the families who donated and helped make this project a reality. When the workers asked me ¿Por qué? (Why) I said that my learners just wanted you to know that everyone deserved a smile in their day. I watched them read the simple letters written in Spanish by our younger learners. The coloring of the word Hola by other learners showed that each person was important to us. I hope that the lessons of kindness and looking for ways to make a difference in our community stay with the Spanish One learners always.

LINK TO VIDEO MADE BY THE CLASS ABOUT THE PROJECT
https://photos.app.goo.gl/dxKBsHFSKTxbGKVG8


GrowerTalks: Wisdom of the Crowd

Avon, OH | March 2022


Willoway's Chief of Human Resources Emily Showalter appeared in the March issue of GrowerTalks magazine talking about our "Wisdom of the Crowd" philosophy. Read about it below!


The Willoway Fleet will have a fresh new look this year

Avon, OH | March 2021


We have wrapped our trailers with full-color advertisements to help you sell your plants! The support from Endless Summer® Collection of hydrangeas, Proven Winners® Plants, and new addition this month a trailer featuring The Petite Knock Out® Rose was greatly appreciated. The trailers are completed and will be on the road this spring. Be ready to have consumers looking for these products.

These brands are also doing an amazing job with advertising the plants and giving support to garden centers for displays and staff training. Be sure to take advantage of the programs and the materials to use in your marketing efforts as we move into 2021. Proven Winners® has a great training program to get your staff ready to sell and resources for very little money with a photo library and point of purchase material in the Connect Program. The Willoway Team has taken advantage of this great training to refresh and be ready to answer questions to sell these amazing plants. 


Spring is here so we want to keep you updated on new resources that are available to help you to be more successful in 2021!


Willoway Not Forgotten Box Drive

Elyria, OH | December 2020


In December 2020, Willoway Nurseries, Inc. presented The Chronicle with $3,183 in employee collected donations of cash, toys, and food for their "Not Forgotten Box" to help families in need this holiday season.


Willoway is a proud supporter of our community and area families in need.


4th Annual FrankenSTEIN's Event

Milwaukee, WI | October 2020


On Sunday, October 11th we celebrated the 4th Annual FrankenSTEIN's event to benefit Variety - the Children's Charity of Wisconsin with the "Great Pumpkin" story reading and a Peanuts Vignette Path to the Pumpkin Patch in the footsteps of Linus and Lucy.

Proceeds from this event will support Children with physical or developmental special needs and their families by providing funding for mobility and other enabling equipment. In addition, the funds will also provide Discover Program events for children and their families to build community through education, experiences and play at no cost to them.


Click here to read more!


Willoway Nurseries Selected as a GGOB All-Star Champion!

Avon, OH | September 2020


Willoway was recently selected as a 2020 All-Star Champion of the Great Game of Business!


The 20th annual All-Star Champions are chosen from the All-Star team. Chosen by a panel of judges these companies are the best of the best from around the globe that have fully embraced the principles of open-book management and The Great Game of Business and have demonstrated outstanding results.


The inspiration for the All-Star Awards came from the pioneers of open-book management themselves. This recognition program was created in 2001 to highlight the companies on the leading edge of this innovative management practice, who have discovered first-hand that when you harness the collective wisdom of your people, great things can and do happen.

But as Great Game™ practitioners know - it’s not just about generating profits, cash and wealth, but also about distributing it for the good of everyone involved. The Game starts with a sincere belief in people along with fostering trust and mutual respect. The companies recognized as Great Game All-Stars embody these concepts to the fullest. All-Star companies show tenacious dedication to open-book management and business transparency and continually spread the word to help others succeed as well.


Click here to read more!


Neighborhood Alliance Donation Drive

Avon, OH | September 2020


Willoway Receives Smart Culture Award

Cleveland, OH | August 2020


Willoway was recently recognized by Smart Business Cleveland, a Cleveland based Magazine, and presented with their Smart Culture Award in the area of Mission, Vision, and value in the work place.

Willoway was recognized for embracing core values, employee involvement & interaction, open book management, and a dedication to a strong company culture.



Willoway Featured in Nursery Management Magazine

Avon, OH | August 2020


Willoway Nurseries Production Administrator Beth Murray was featured in the August 2020 issue of Nursery Management magazine in an article about our rice hull program.


From the article...


"We also use it as a soil amendment, it's environmentally friendly and it's sustainable. We're also utilizing a co-product - so the rice is removed, and what is left is the actual hull," Murray says. "So that goes through a process, and we're taking something and utilizing a co-product, so you're getting a double use out of it."

On top of the environmental benefit, Murray says that using the PBH rice hulls has reduced costs and increased profit margins at Willoway, which sets them apart from the competition. The greatest cost reduction Willoway has seen is a decreased dependency on herbicide applications - far costlier than using a rice hull, she points out.


WILLOWAY NURSERY JOINS FORCES WITH BOWER & BRANCH

Leesport, PA | August 2020


Bower & Branch, the dynamic e-commerce brand consisting of a network of independent growers, service providers and garden retailers across the United States, continues to expand and is excited to announce the addition of Willoway Nurseries Inc. in Avon, OH to the grower network. Willoway Nurseries is a progressive, forward-thinking company known for always being at the forefront of the horticulture industry with technology, marketing, and growing techniques. Willoway will immediately become a primary fulfillment grower for online orders along with supporting our affiliate garden centers across large portions of the eastern United States.


Don Eaton, Founder and CEO of EdenGrene, dba Bower & Branch, strongly believes in this partnership "Tom Demaline, owner of Willoway, understands today's consumer needs and the needs of garden centers. As a result of this knowledge, Tom is leading Willoway in a progressive direction to meet the online needs of consumers and garden centers alike. We are excited to combine our missions and visions to grow for generations into the future."


"Willoway's decision to partner with Bower &Branch aligned with our strategic direction to grow our online presence in addition to expanding our container tree offering. Their online presence, in conjunction with their IGC network, will allow us to take our container tree business to the next level." owner and operator of Willoway Nursery, Tom Demaline, speaking on the benefits of joining Bower & Branch.


Bower & Branch has been a champion of change in the horticulture industry. This partnership will immediately increase product selection providing the consumer with more accessibility to a wide range of selection and size not readily available in retail today. Willoway will be an integral part of engaging landscape professionals online as well. Through 2020 and 2021, Bower & Branch will make available the widest range of SKU's online to landscapers and consumers all over the country.


"Willoway has a team of well-respected growers who are enjoyable to work with and an exceptionally trustworthy leadership team. They have the size and capability to meet our goals and expectations; Bower & Branch is ecstatic to be an e-commerce channel for this exceptional company. We believe that both our member networks and retail members will benefit greatly from this partnership," stated Don Eaton.


"We see an incredible synergy working with the Bower & Branch brand and the opportunity to expand our online presence and support our customers' needs," states Demaline.


Willoway is a generational farm, and more than just land past down. The invaluable knowledge and passion of agriculturists who have stood the test of time, and now adding to Bower & Branch's already elevated brand. Our goal is to continue in rich family values, and we are looking forward to the future of our network families working together.