FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

United Floral Holdings Inc. acquires Kirby Floral Inc.

We are pleased to announce that United Floral Holdings Inc. “United” – the new corporation formed following the reorganization of United Flower Growers Co-operative Association “UFG” – has purchased Kirby Floral Inc., also known as Kirby Signature. The purchase includes all the business, assets and operations of Kirby Signature.

Ken and Bev Kirby founded their fresh flower wholesale business in 1979. “Kirby Floral” was and is known as a premier supplier of cut flowers, fillers and greens including imported and locally grown products. Ken and Bev have been innovators in our industry, most often the first bringing in specialty floral products from around the world for the most discerning buyers. They have established deep relationships with many and created logistical solutions that others – even competitors have benefited from. They had a long association with UFG as a joint venture partner, customer and supplier. For many years they were also a tenant and ran their business out of what is now known as the Roseberry building or for some the “Kirby Building”.

Signature Floralsupply Inc. was founded by Tony Graaf, Dave Austin, Ursula Brooks, Donna Green and Ken and Bev Kirby in 2004. Tony and team had a long history with David L Jones, which had a prosperous business here for many years. Tony is an undisputed leader in creating more value for floral businesses, bringing design, innovation and creativity to the BC/Western Canada floral industry. Tony has kept us all anchored in the principle that flowers are art – and not just a commodity.

In 2010, “Kirby Signature” was formed when the Kirby family and Tony and company combined their businesses under the legal name Kirby Floral Inc. Offering the highest quality fresh flowers and supplies with unparalleled selection and service, they created a successful business that has continued to innovate and grow.

United has very similar businesses that sometimes competed with Kirby Signature. With an ever changing and competitive industry it was decided that combining the operation of Kirby Signature and United would create an even stronger business.

The plan is to combine all the wholesale operations at United’s own building in Burnaby. This will include moving the Kirby Signature operations into the United facility sometime in mid-2016. United shares its building with its affiliated entity – UFG Co-operative Association sometimes called “the auction”. With over 265,000 square feet of auction, warehouse and cooler space on 12.5 acres, United and UFG will have relationships with virtually all floral businesses in Western Canada directly or indirectly.

The Kirby Signature team will be front and center in creating this new merged wholesale division. This division combines the wholesale businesses of United – local and imported floral wholesale and supplies with the Kirby Signature business. Tony Graaf has agreed to join United as General Manager and Sean Martin with his years of experience at Kirby as Assistant General Manager of the combined wholesale divisions. Ken and Bev will also be an integral part of the transition and expect to continue as advisors afterwards. The company will continue to be committed to providing an excellent educational focus with classes and educational programs facilitated by world renowned floral designers.

Owned by BC flower growers, United Floral Holdings Inc. and UFG Co-operative Association are at the center of the BC floral industry with the most offerings and options for floral businesses and with a long term commitment to sustainability for its growers, customers and many relationships in the industry. We look forward to a prosperous future and welcome the Kirby Signature team to create a new force in the Western Canada floral business.

Board of Directors
December 9, 2015

For more information please contact:
Bob Pringle, Chief Executive Officer
United Floral Holdings Inc.
604-837-8356
bpringle@ufgca.com