National Floral Supply Relocates Operations To Milford

MILFORD, CT — National Floral Supply has relocated to Milford after more than 30 years in Orange.

The newly renovated facility on a 5-acre Bic Drive property includes a 15,000-square-foot-building, with sales and administrative offices, coolers, loading docks, and production areas.

Part of the property has been dedicated to growing seasonal cut flowers for National Floral Supply's customers. The company primarily cuts flowers and supplies to florists, specialty markets, and event designers across Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts.

The main partners also own one of the largest rose farms in Ecuador, and logistics and import flower businesses in Miami.

Previously, the company was located on Marsh Hill Road in Orange.

"We were renting the Orange building from the previous owner and wanted to purchase our own facility that fit our particular needs more precisely," Jan Peterson, vice president for Administration and Business Development, told Patch. "We have designed this configuration with our customers and employees in mind. We will be able to grow with the property for many years to come."

The new location is within 10 minutes of the old location. Peterson said Milford "offers many added services and conveniences for our customers and employees."

National Floral Supply has "brand-new, state-of-the-art coolers (that) carry thousands of products on a daily basis in our warehouse."

The company buys from farms around the globe and carries products from South America, Canada, Holland, the U.S., and more, as well as locally grown flowers. National Floral Supply also carries roses grown from its farm in Ecuador and products it imports through its operations in Miami.

Peterson said the main challenge the business faces is logistics.

"Like with any perishable product the logistics are key," she said. "It's vital that the cold chain process not be broken. In other words, once a flower is cut at the farm, it must be cooled and go through a hibernation process as it travels by air or sea to the wholesaler, retailer and end customer. Because of our extensive operations within the Miami airport, we are able to receive flowers directly from Central and South America and eliminate a few steps in the cold chain process - which means fresher products to the end customer."

Increasing costs, such as labor and fuel, are also a challenge for the wholesaler.

Learn more at National Floral Supply's website.