In 1955 Jan Gelderman, a Dutch immigrant, founded Jan Gelderman Garden Service with just $7.14 worth of tools and a 1948 Willys Jeep. In the first years, lawn maintenance made up the bulk of the business in the spring, and landscaping and stone work in the summer and fall
1955 Novak Property
January 1, 1955
Early work on the Novak property, a curved retaining wall was built with adjacent flower gardens. The wall still stands today!
Jan Gelderman was hospitalized with severe asthma
September 2, 1964
Jan Gelderman was hospitalized with severe asthma. His son, Hank, began his involvement in the business. Hank was 12 years old and took on the maintenance work of cutting, digging and planting for the company. Because he wasn’t old enough to drive,
Started using the JGL logo.
September 3, 1970
Started using the JGL logo.
Hank Gelderman joined the business full time and became a partner.
September 4, 1971
Hank Gelderman joined the business full time and became a partner.
Jan Gelderman Landscaping is officially incorporated.
September 5, 1976
Jan Gelderman Landscaping is officially incorporated.
Gelderman started its snow removal division, taking its operations from seasonal to year-round.
September 6, 1977
Gelderman started its snow removal division, taking its operations from seasonal to year-round.
Roy Hummel
September 7, 1977
Roy Hummel joined the company.
John Buikema
September 8, 1980
John Buikema joined Jan Gelderman Landscaping, making him now Gelderman Landscape Service’s longest employee to date.
25th anniversary
September 9, 1980
Jan Gelderman Landscaping celebrated its 25th anniversary and started offering profit sharing and an employee savings system for its employees.
The first year that we had year-round employees other than Hank.
September 10, 1981
The first year that we had year-round employees other than Hank.
Gelderman builds its first shop.
September 11, 1981
Gelderman builds its first shop.
timesheets
September 13, 1981
The first time crew leaders were responsible for timesheets and timekeeping for their crews.
first computer system
September 12, 1983
Hank was one of Burlington’s first cell phone users, and in the early 1980s, the office acquired its first computer system.
Jan Gelderman passed away.
September 16, 1993
Jan Gelderman passed away.
Logo is updated.
September 19, 1994
Logo is updated.
Timescapes
September 21, 1998
We introduced Timescapes to track our project time.
Jason Bobbit joined company.
September 26, 2003
Jason Bobbit joined company.
Jan Gelderman Landscaping celebrated its 50th anniversary.
September 28, 2005
Jan Gelderman Landscaping celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Nathan Helder
September 28, 2006
Nathan Helder, Hank’s son-in-law, joined the company and is currently the president and owner of the company.
Water Management & Irrigation
October 1, 2010
Addition of Water Management & Irrigation.
Jane Green joins the organization as VP of Finance & Administration
October 2, 2010
Jane Green joins the organization as VP of Finance & Administration
Hank Gelderman officially retired.
October 3, 2011
Hank Gelderman officially retired.
Gelderman streamlines finance and administration
October 3, 2011
Gelderman streamlines finance and administration and opens “Support Centre” in Waterdown, ON for branches and departments.
Breslau satellite office
October 4, 2012
Breslau satellite office officially opened to expand services into the Guelph, Kitchener-Waterloo area.
Gelderman Landscape Services
September 30, 2013
Jan Gelderman Landscaping officially changed its name to Gelderman Landscape Services and the logo is updated again.
Chris Mace joined the company and is the current VP Landscape & Design.
October 5, 2013
Chris Mace joined the company and is the current VP Landscape & Design.
Guelph
October 6, 2014
Acquired Outdoor Services and expanded into Guelph.
Celebrating 60 years of business!
October 7, 2015
Brox Rogers joined the company and is now the current Waterloo Branch Manager.
December 1, 2017
Brox Rogers joined the company and is now the current Waterloo Branch Manager.
Mark Wilson joined the company and is now the current Waterdown Branch Manager.
December 2, 2018
Mark Wilson joined the company and is now the current Waterdown Branch Manager.
Jonathan Scott joined the company and is now the current VP Maintenance & Snow.
December 4, 2018
Jonathan Scott joined the company and is now the current VP Maintenance & Snow.
Executive Leadership Team is created.
December 5, 2018
Executive Leadership Team is created.
Roy Hummel retires from Gelderman Landscape Services after 42 years of service.
December 7, 2020
Roy Hummel retires from Gelderman Landscape Services after 42 years of service.
Lisa Riess joined the company and is now the current HR Manager.
December 8, 2020
Lisa Riess joined the company and is now the current HR Manager.
Gelderman celebrates 65th anniversary.
December 9, 2020
Gelderman celebrates 65th anniversary.
