Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply celebrates 100 years of business

(Photo courtesy Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply)

Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply is celebrating 100 years of business in 2022.

“My grandfather instilled a simple, yet effective, philosophy for our company, ‘treat your customers right.’ That quote has been the foundation on which we’ve built 100 years of serving customers,” said Douglas York, Ewing president and CEO. “And it’s how we continue to serve our customers and industry now, inviting green industry professionals to lean on us for their business needs, support and success.”

Ewing’s journey began in 1922 when Atlas Lawn Sprinkler, an irrigation system installer, irrigation designer and distributor, opened in San Francisco. Ewing’s founder, King Ewing, joined Atlas in 1938. He acquired Atlas’ design and supply division in 1948, renaming it Ewing Turf Products. He then created the country’s first turf irrigation distributorship by entering an exclusive distribution arrangement with Buckner Manufacturing.

In 1963, the second generation of family leadership took the helm in King’s daughter, Sue, and her husband, Ray York. Two years later, they relocated company headquarters to San Leandro, Calif., and continued its expansion, changing the name to Ewing Irrigation Products Inc.

“It’s been an honor to grow my father’s legacy all these years and to see my sons continue building upon our family business,” Sue York said. “Ewing’s growth, expansion and success can be directly attributed to our innovation, dedication, customer service and most importantly, the family of employees here today and over the last 100 years.”

A third generation joined the family business when Doug York and his brothers, David and Richard, came on board in 1976. Doug has served as president and CEO since 2001, while Richard has led Ewing’s OEM business, Landscape Products, since 2016, as president and COO.

In 2018, Doug’s son, Jack, became the fourth generation to join the company. He served as a branch manager in Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y., before returning to Phoenix to work as a product manager. In November 2021, he was promoted to director of product line management.

“When my dad asked me to join the family business, I jumped at the opportunity to learn from the ground up,” Jack York said. “Three years later, I’m excited to continue working with Ewing employees, product managers, and vendor partners to build on the foundation set by my great-grandfather and strengthened by my grandparents, uncle and father.”

As Ewing enters its second century, the company said it looks forward to continued growth, with 230-plus branches in 28 states and counting, an e-commerce website, and strong relationships with its partners. Behind it is Ewing’s commitment to honoring King Ewing’s legacy of loyalty and living by his guiding principle to “treat your customers right.”