U.S.A. Floral Products Opens Strategic Distribution Hub in Blytheville, Arkansas
- Company to Utilize Former Air Force Base as Key Distribution Hub - - Warehouse Strategically Positioned in Prime Location to Distribute Floral Products -
WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S.A. Floral Products, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROSI - news) today announced that the Company has opened an 80,000 square foot distribution hub located in Blytheville, Arkansas at the former site of Eaker Air Force Base. U.S.A. Floral Products will utilize the new facility to distribute its floral and hard good products to its customers, which include retail florists, wholesalers, mass-merchandisers, supermarket chains, and internet-based marketers, throughout North America.
The warehouse is located in a key geographic location, approximately 70 miles north of Memphis, where one of the country's largest overnight carriers is located. Company officials indicate that a build-out program, which is expected to take approximately 90 days, is underway. Once the build- out has been completed, the facility will be ready for full operation.
Chris Wilson, Chief Operating Officer of U.S.A. Floral Products, stated, ''We are very excited about the opening of U.S.A. Floral's strategic distribution hub in Blytheville, Arkansas. The Company's decision to open a well-equipped distribution facility in the State of Arkansas was based on a number of factors including:
-- the warehouse's convenient geographic location, which we believe will
create efficiencies with overnight carriers and trucking companies;
-- the potential of utilizing the Blytheville, Arkansas Aeroplex in the
future to import products; and
-- the ideal year-round climate in the State of Arkansas, which is crucial
in the distribution of a perishable product.
Overall, by continuing to strengthen the U.S.A. Floral distribution chain, we will be consistent with our goal to deliver the freshest floral products faster and more efficiently to our customers.''
Robert Poirier, Chief Executive Officer of U.S.A. Floral Products added, ''This facility in Arkansas provides an opportunity to streamline our distribution process and to be closer to our customer, which ultimately allows us to deliver fresher flowers and hard goods in a shorter period of time. In addition, the Company's sales and marketing force will benefit from operating in the Central Time Zone, which brings us more logistical options. We are very pleased with the opening of the new hub. The hub allows us to grow our business while putting Arkansans back to work at the former Air Force Base and bringing more industry to Blytheville. As we unfold our marketing strategy and seek to increase our business, we look forward to creating new jobs for people in the State of Arkansas.''
''This facility is a testament to the strong work ethic and pride Arkansans take in a job well done. I am certain that U.S.A. Floral will find success in Northeast Arkansas, and I am delighted they have chosen the Arkansas Aeroplex to base their operation,'' commented Governor Huckabee.
''We are excited that U.S.A. Floral Products has chosen to locate in the Blytheville-Gosnell area,'' said Authority Board Chairman, Dick Reams, ''I appreciate the confidence shown by U.S.A. Floral Products in selecting the Arkansas Aeroplex as the location of their new facility and welcome them to our community.''
Founded in April 1997, U.S.A. Floral Products is the world's largest floral product supplier. The Company was formed to create a fully integrated international floral product distribution business. U.S.A. Floral Products engages primarily in the importation and wholesale distribution of floral and floral-related products. The Company also provides pre-packaged floral bouquets and arrangements to retail florists and mass market retailers and engages in brokerage services for wholesalers of both international and domestic cut flowers.
Except for the historical information contained herein, the statements made in this release constitute forward-looking statements that involve certain risks and uncertainties. Certain factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including completion of pending acquisitions and those risks detailed in the Company's Annual Report of Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997, relating to, among other things: absence of a combined operating history; the Company's acquisition strategy; the financing of acquisitions; the Company's internal growth and operating strategies; seasonality, cyclicality, fluctuations in quarterly operating results, and weather; competition; the amortization of intangible assets; dependence upon key personnel; and imported products matters. The acquired companies' historical results are not indicative of future performance. In addition, results may vary, as a result of factors set forth from time to time in the Company's periodic and other reports on file at the Securities and Exchange Commission.
For additional information on U.S.A. Floral Products contact:
Silvia Rosselli (media) Tom Ryan (analyst)
Edelman Financial Integrated Corporate Relations
212-704-8217 203-222-9013
Cristina Vaughan
U.S.A. Floral Products
202-333-0800
SOURCE: U.S.A. Floral Products, Inc. |
