Qualterra expansion into new property acquired by Cowles Company | Quallterra, and Cowles Company
Qualterra, a sustainable agricultural technology solutions company, has announced its expansion into a state-of-the-art controlled environment horticulture greenhouse campus located in Mabton, WA. This property acquired by Cowles Real Estate Company (a wholly owned subsidiary of Cowles Company), and supported by capital investment from Cowles Company, will mark a major expansion in Qualterra’s production capabilities, transforming the company’s capacity to meet the growing demand for sustainable plant propagation solutions.
Spanning 297 acres, the Mabton campus includes more than 7 acres of fully controlled environment greenhouses and has the capability to grow more than 15 million plants annually — a tenfold increase in Qualterra’s current production. In addition to its expansive greenhouses, the facility includes a 63,000-square-foot warehouse containing a tissue culture micropropagation laboratory, cold storage, and office spaces. The campus also features extensive field-growing areas, specialized plant repository buildings, and a full suite of maintenance and operational facilities, providing the infrastructure needed to scale production.
This acquisition was made possible by the strategic investment of Cowles Company, a key partner that shares Qualterra’s commitment to providing sustainable solutions for agriculture. Together, Qualterra and Cowles are positioned to make a transformative impact on the industry, not only by increasing plant production capacity but also by furthering innovative approaches to sustainable plant science and climate resiliency.
Mike Werner, CEO of Qualterra
“This acquisition is a game-changer for Qualterra and the communities we serve. The Mabton campus enables us to produce at a scale and efficiency that will have significant, positive impacts for our grower customers. With the support of Cowles, we are building a future that brings together sustainable technologies and large-scale capacity to deliver real solutions for our customers today and into the future.”
The Mabton facility is designed for maximum efficiency and sustainability, incorporating cutting-edge controlled environment technology that supports rapid and consistent plant growth under ideal conditions. The facility’s tissue culture laboratory allows Qualterra to propagate diverse plant species efficiently, maintaining high-quality standards and genetic consistency. This lab will serve as a hub for innovation, supporting a wide variety of science-based, commercial projects throughout the region.
Steve Rector, CFO of Cowles Company
“At Cowles Company, we are dedicated to investing in forward-thinking enterprises that are addressing the agricultural and sustainability needs of our future. Cowles’ acquisition of the Mabton campus is a perfect example of that commitment. We are proud to support Qualterra’s vision and growth as it leads the way in creating scalable, immediate solutions in horticulture and sustainability.”
