By Khalida Sarwari
They count the San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders and San Jose Giants among their clientele. Golf courses and vineyards also rely upon their service.
A company that started off humbly in a house in Campbell is now one of the leading suppliers of turf grass product in the region.
This year Sierra Pacific Turf Supply, at 510 Salmar Ave., is celebrating 30 years in business. Rebecca Naumann, vice president of Sierra Pacific, recalled the company’s evolution from the back of her husband Don Naumann’s pickup truck in August 1982 to a warehouse on Cristich Lane. Don Naumann serves as the company’s president.
“It’s been great being in Campbell,” said Rebecca Naumann. “The city has stood behind us and
we’ve supported them. I can’t say enough good things about Campbell.”
Though the main office has been in Campbell since 1990, Sierra Pacific has branched out to two other cities within the last two decades. It opened a store in Rocklin in 1994 and another one in Sparks, Nev.,in 2006.
Naumann suggested the economic downturn has had little impact on Sierra Pacific. She attributed the business’ success to being in a niche market and having “good prices and good people.”
“We have a great team working for us,” she said. “Our motto is ‘product, performance and promise’ and we deliver all three.”
Another attribute, she said, is that the company is one of the last independently owned companies remaining, something that appeals to people who don’t want to work for a corporation.
“I think that’s one thing that sets us apart,” she said. “We have a strong turf background; all of
our employees do.”
The company currently employs 33 people with 18 at its Campbell store.
Sierra Pacific sells irrigation parts and golf accessories in addition to grass seed, fertilizers and
chemicals. Services include plant protector application, irrigation system service and technical support and turf grass management consulting.
Its customers are golf courses, school districts, municipalities, vineyards, nurseries, landscapers and country clubs. Sierra Pacific is also open to the public.
Its competitors are Crop Production Services, Target Specialty Products and John Deere Land
To celebrate Sierra Pacific’s 30th anniversary, the company will host a company picnic on Angel Island, said Naumann.
