Espoma

Country

USA

Founded

1929

Number
of employees

Website

www.espoma.com

Key people

Herbert G. Sanders

Social networks

About

Founded in 1929 in Millville, NJ, the Espoma Company began its journey with a single product named Espoma Organic, a proprietary blend of natural materials. The early days of production involved manual labor-intensive processes including the use of shovels and wheelbarrows. Despite a devastating fire in 1946 that destroyed its production and office building, founder Herbert G. Sanders, bolstered by the support of employees and friends, chose to rebuild, setting the stage for future growth.

The late 1940s marked a significant development with the creation of Holly Tone, the first organically balanced fertilizer designed specifically for acid-loving plants such as hollies, azaleas, and rhododendrons. This innovation not only met a critical market need but also became the company’s top-selling product.

The subsequent decades saw continued expansion and innovation. In the 1950s, Herbert’s son Dean Sanders joined the company, eventually taking over operations and introducing the ‘Tone Family’ of premium organic fertilizers. By the 1970s, under the management of Serge Brunner, the company expanded its product line further and adopted advanced technologies for production. Distribution grew significantly under Serge’s leadership, reaching new markets across the United States.

By 1997, the company had gone nationwide, thanks in part to the efforts of Jeremy Brunner, who joined as General Manager and spearheaded major initiatives including product redesigns and the introduction of new product categories like potting soils and liquid plant foods.

Today, Espoma stands as a leader in the organic fertilizer industry, offering over 70 products and producing more than 50 million pounds of organic fertilizer annually. With a commitment to quality and innovation that spans over 90 years, Espoma continues to grow, driven by family leadership and a dedicated workforce.

Products

Garden Fertilizers: Enhanced with Bio-tone beneficial microbes, these fertilizers are formulated to support garden health.
Potting Soils: A range of potting and garden soils along with soil amendments.
Lawn Fertilizers: Organic solutions for feeding lawns and preventing weeds.
Liquid Fertilizers: Formulated with natural proteins and beneficial microbes, featuring an Easy Measure cap for precise application.
Single Ingredients: Pure plant foods and pH adjusters, among other single ingredient products.
Synthetic Fertilizers: Fast-acting agricultural blends and single-ingredient options for various agricultural needs.
Animal Care: Products like Sani-care bedding and Odor Control to maintain healthier animal stalls.