KBC Direct, the National Sales division of Kennicott Brothers Company, has entered into a cooperative marketing agreement with Blooming of Beloit to be a primary sales agent nationally to the mass market channel.
Lenny Walker Director of KBC Direct says, “This understanding is the next step in enhancing our successful ‘locally-grown’ programs. Kennicott has built a reputation as the field-crop specialists using local peonies, willows & dogwood. Presently we represent and market products from Midwest Blooms with farms in Arkansas, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan” Walker continues, “Our new marketing venture with Blooming of Beloit will help us further cement our position as Chicagoland’s hub for locally-grown flowers. It adds value for everyone involved, from the farm to the ultimate consumer.”
Shlomo Danieli, Owner of Blooming of Beloit, confirms that the timing of this agreement is well-aligned with their own growing cycle. Core crops includes lilac, spirea, viburnum, hydrangeas, alliums, eremures, rosehips, & bittersweet (to name a few), The harvest begins in late April and continues through October. In November, Blooming of Beloit shifts its attention to dogwoods, willows and winterberry.
While the locally-grown advantage is strong, Danieli points out that Blooming of Beloit‘s imports will further enhance the overall product portfolio for both companies. “We are bringing in some of the best lisianthus on the planet, 52 weeks a year from Israel,” Danieli adds, “and this will complement the flowers that KBC Direct is currently sourcing from South and Central America, Mexico and Holland. So it’s very exciting not only to contribute to the locally-grown programs, but the international buying as well. This agreement will have a positive impact in many areas.” | www.kennicott.com
Source: Kennicott Brothers Company