Gar Bennett, a Central Valley agricultural services provider formed from the 2020 merger of Bennett Water Systems and Gar Tootelian, has split into two separate companies after nearly six years together. The separation became effective July 31.
Bennett Water Systems, based in Selma, focuses on irrigation and pump services and has about 25 employees at its 15,000-square-foot facility. Gar Tootelian is located in Reedley and specializes in crop care and nutritional advising. Both companies have long histories: Bennett Water Systems was founded 97 years ago, while Gar Tootelian has operated for 77 years.
Tyler Bennett, CEO of Bennett Water Systems, explained that the original goal of the merger was to cross-sell each company’s services—irrigation and pumps from Bennett with pesticides and fertilizers from Gar. “We had a very cordial separation,” Bennett said. “It was two families that just wanted to go back to their core businesses and saw the future a little bit differently.”
Leadership at both companies decided they could better serve customers by operating independently with different strategies. After the split, Bennett Water Systems continues to provide irrigation and pump services as well as fertilizer and chemical offerings in California and Hawaii. The company also offers energy-saving solutions such as well pump rehabilitation services and wind machines.
Bennett emphasized that solving farmers’ problems remains central to their mission: “We sit down and we listen,” he said. “We listen to the customers and we ask a lot of questions about the problems they are having on their farms. We look at their input costs and input efficiencies and we look to see if we can solve their problems.”
The initial merger between the two family-owned businesses was announced on November 14, 2019. At that time, Tyler Bennett joined Greg Musson of Gar Tootelian as co-CEOs of the merged entity.
“The merger of Bennett Water Systems with GAR raises the bar and brings together two locally owned, family businesses with outstanding reputations for integrity and trust with complimentary cultural values, products and services. Together, our opportunities are endless,” stated a press release from GAR quoting CEO Greg Musson.
Both companies are women-owned enterprises.
“We are excited about the opportunity to be a leader in growing solutions for Valley growers. Our combined activities make growing easier, with an expanded offering of services and experts in the field,” said Bennett during the announcement of the merger.
He noted that merging allowed them to assemble a technologically qualified team aimed at maximizing crop yields using less water.
On technology adoption within agriculture, Tyler Bennett pointed out that his company combines new tools with practical experience: “dirty boots on the ground.” He criticized some Silicon Valley firms for not understanding field realities but affirmed his commitment to innovation paired with hands-on service programs.
“We got something that is pretty hot,” he said regarding demand for their offerings. “We ask farmers ‘what does success look like one year or two years out.’ If we could solve it for them, we do, but if we can’t, we tell them—we can’t solve everything.”
Bennett stressed integrity, honesty, creativity—and staying current with artificial intelligence tools such as predictive modeling for plant health—as core values for his company’s brand.
Recruiting talent skilled in advanced technologies remains challenging despite proximity to major tech hubs like Silicon Valley; however, remote work options post-pandemic have expanded recruitment possibilities globally. The company may also use third-party hiring firms going forward.
“If farmers aren’t making money, we aren’t going to make any money,” he said about aligning business success with customer outcomes.
Market pressures such as declining prices for almonds or wine grapes present challenges but expanding into fertilizer and energy sectors has helped sustain growth at Bennett Water Systems—areas seen as essential needs by local farms even amid tough conditions.
Despite ambitions set during their partnership period, both companies concluded they could best pursue their visions separately moving forward.
