GardenAmerica Buys Valencia Irrigation Firm

GardenAmerica Corp., an Oakland maker of drip-irrigation systems, has completed its purchase of Irri-Trol Manufacturing of Valencia for $7.15 million in cash, and an additional $1 million if Irri-Trol reaches certain unspecified profit goals.

No changes among management or other staff at Irri-Trol are expected, said Marty O’Donohue, GardenAmerica’s vice president for marketing. He said Irri-Trol, which makes control devices for lawn sprinklers, will retain its name and its Santa Clarita Valley headquarters.

Publicly held GardenAmerica had sales of $37.6 million for the fiscal year ended last Sept. 30. Net income for the year was $3.1 million. The company employs 800.

Irri-Trol, which is privately held, would not disclose its sales, although O’Donohue said the figure is “more than $5 million.” It employs 42.