As one of the biggest industry players in the world, the FM Group employs 2,100 people, has an annual turnover of 800 million, serves more than 30,000 customers, sources from over 5,300 suppliers and operates in 102 countries.
Oh yes and is one of the biggest advocates of Sustainable Entrepreneurship, not just as members of the Floricultural Sustainability Initiative but with its own dedicated programme that stetches from grower to consumer.
Yet this massive company started life as a sole trader in the UK when Pim van Kleef started Metz, a ‘Flying Dutchman’ man in a van operation and travelling all over to the UK to sell his wares.
As an early adopter of the internet, they launched Iris, the very first online ordering system back in 1998 before merging with another small independent to become FleuraMetz.
But however big the company gets it never forgets its roots. So, whilst they now have a complete range of buying options and are truly global, they maintain their feet on the ground with two UK based cash and carry’s – one in London, the other in Glasgow and a third in Eire.
Because a physical presence is incredibly important. Not only does it allow for regular top ups and those last-minute buys when a customer has forgotten to order the 100-rose bouquet for his Anniversary … trust us that regularly happens and is something only a local florist can handle … but allows for the senses to be inspired so that florists pick what they know they need but along the way a few things they didn’t but absolutely must have and so make their own shops look more exciting!
And being part of National Florist Day is another way of helping their customers as Barbs explained. “We’re wholeheartedly behind it as a tribute to the passion and creativity of florists. It’s a celebration of the artistry that brings beauty into our lives every day and honouring the talented individuals who make floral dreams a reality.”
