Key Takeaways
- Burk Metzger appointed as President of Prospiant, reporting to Gibraltar CEO Bill Bosway.
- Metzger brings over two decades of experience in CEA, including leadership roles at Lipman Family Farms and founding Suntastic Hothouse.
- As a former grower and business owner, Metzger offers operational insight aligned with customer needs.
- Prospiant continues strategic investments in its Cincinnati headquarters and Kingsville, ON, facility.
- Metzger will relocate to Cincinnati to lead the company’s next phase of growth.
Leadership Transition Strengthens Prospiant’s Position in CEA
Prospiant (Profile), a leading U.S. provider of controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) greenhouse solutions, has named Burk Metzger as its new President. Metzger will oversee company operations across North America and report directly to Bill Bosway, CEO of parent company Gibraltar Industries.
With a background in Agricultural Engineering from Nuertingen-Geislingen University in Germany, Metzger brings a blend of technical expertise and hands-on industry experience to his new role. Since joining Prospiant in April 2021 as General Manager of Prospiant Canada, Metzger has contributed to notable gains in the Produce end market and overall business performance.
Experience in Growing and Business Leadership
Prior to joining Prospiant, Metzger held leadership roles at Lipman Family Farms as General Manager of Protected Agriculture. There, he was responsible for managing operations, integrating new locations, and overseeing contract grower relationships. Earlier, he founded and led Suntastic Hothouse Inc./Huron Produce for 24 years, until the business was acquired in 2018.
“Burk is an accomplished and successful leader in the controlled-environment agriculture industry with a long history as both a grower and owner-operator,” said Gibraltar CEO Bill Bosway. “Given this experience, he truly understands what’s needed from Prospiant to help customers maximize returns on their investments.”
Vision for Growth and Operational Focus at Prospiant
Metzger emphasized the company’s readiness for continued growth through a customer-focused approach.
“I am excited for the opportunity to lead and continue the growth of Prospiant together with our teams in the U.S. and Canada,” he said. “Having been in our customers’ shoes and understanding their operational challenges allows us to offer better solutions every day of the week.”
The company is advancing its footprint with a new headquarters and manufacturing facility in Cincinnati, Ohio, set to come online this year. Additionally, significant investments are being made in the Kingsville, Ontario, facility to support expanded operations.
Next Steps for Leadership Transition
Metzger will soon relocate from the Detroit area to Prospiant’s Cincinnati headquarters to assume his new responsibilities. His appointment aligns with the company’s ongoing efforts to expand its reach and product offerings in the North American CEA sector.
