Greenleaf Wholesale Florists, Inc. recently announced it was expanding with the acquisition of United Wholesale Florists, Inc.

Scott Kitayama, president of Greenleaf, says location and strategic growth are the main goals behind the acquisition. Currently Greenleaf operates 14 locations throughout the West and Southwest and gains nine more locations throughout the South Central United States with the acquisition. 

The company will now expand with locations in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee and couple of additional locations in Texas. "From a regional standpoint, it's [a] good point of purchase," Kitayama says.

Kitayama also says that in today's changing industry, these acquisitions are becoming necessary to remain successful. "Wholesalers are going to have to become larger to survive," he says. 

The two companies share a similar culture of customer service, according to Kitayama, who expects a smooth transition when the two combine. 

Randy Ashmore, chairman and co-owner of United Wholesale, founded in 1947, says as he was looking toward retirement, Greenleaf was his first choice of a buyer.

"Having spent 45 years with United Wholesale, it was time for me to sell the business and retire," he says in a release.

--Kori Kamradt
kkamradt@safnow.org

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