WHAT IS THE PFD GROUP?

Premier Floral Distributors is a group of independent floral wholesale companies who have joined together to promote and market floral products to their retail customer base, and to source and purchase product.

Premier Floral Distributors (PFD) is owned by the member companies. PFD believes strongly in the autonomy of each individual member and most of the group's programs are constructed to promote each members' individuality. While the group ships jointly through a consolidation for direct buying of cut flowers, the actual purchases are made and negotiated individually between each member location and the farms. Likewise any member has the option not to participate in programs on joint purchases, tours, or marketing materials that are developed by the group.

PFD works on a committee structure with the principal committees being:
1) Executive Committee: three elected member/owners who oversee the administrative functions
2) Members Committee: principal governing and decision-making body of the group comprised of the member/owners of each of the member companies.
3) Cut Flower Committee: made up of the cut flower buyers of each of the member companies, responsible for developing and recommending programs and projects to further the business and profitability of the cut flower side of the business.
4) Hardgoods Committee: made up of the hardgoods buyers of each of the member companies, responsible for developing and recommending programs and projects to further the business and profitability of the hardgoods side of the business.
5) Potted Plant Committee: made up of the potted plant buyers of each of the member companies, responsible for developing and recommending programs and projects to further the business and profitability of the potted plant side of the business.

The group is coordinated by an independent consultant with a background in international agricultural trade and association management. In addition to the administrative and communication tasks, she assists the group in locating new sources of product, negotiating pricing, coordinating transportation methods and consolidations, and developing marketing tools.

PFD PROGRAMS

Members of Premier Floral Distributors and their vendors have successfully implemented a variety of programs.

GENERAL
- Rebates from key vendors based on individual member purchases.

- Private training session for all PFD members and buyers with a major national speaker once a year. Past speakers/topics include Al Bates on Profit Planning and Ann Phillips (Blanchard Group) on Who Moved My Cheese.

- Regular meetings, currently twice per year, and bi-monthly conference calls keep all companies up to date on industry changes and information and allow vendors to make presentations.

- Promotional ideas, management organization, communications, transportation, and vendor evaluation are all areas where member companies have made improvements through PFD membership.

CUT FLOWER
- Group consolidation from Ecuador and Colombia at competitive rates

- Consolidation gives members a more competitive way to import direct but allows them to still maintain control over their own individual consolidation, resulting in more flexibility and responsiveness.

- Private Show yearly in Miami where members get to network and negotiate with 45 top cut flower vendors who are invited based on strict criteria.

- Inspections of product during Valentines and Mothers Day at shipping point and also in Miami. Again coordinator is tasked with resolving problems if possible before informing member.

- Participation in Colombian and Ecuadorian trade shows for the past two years through use of the coordinator.

-Competitive pricing for fresh Christmas greens

HARDGOODS
- Group rebates and improved pricing from key vendors

- Container program, marketing support, PFD item tags and PFD packaging of Christmas PVC

- Flyers and promotional materials from key suppliers, including booklet catalogues

- Twice yearly meetings to exchange ideas and share information among buyers

POTTED PLANTS
- PFD organized tours to view nurseries in Florida and Canada

- Rebate programs and discount pricing negotiated with key suppliers.

- Sharing of source names and product recommendations among buyers.

- Private show in Miami to negotiate with selected vendors (held in conjunction with cut flower show).