Andre van der Kwaak, Floramax Flower Auctions General Manager, wrote in a letter recently posted to its clientele: "Late last month a small group of growers who are shareholders in United Flower Growers announced that they would no longer be supplying flowers to FloraMax. This was a calculated business decision which this group was well within their rights to make." “The immediate affect of this announcement was to create a significant amount of disruption and uncertainty particularly amongst flower buyers who have had their choice of where they purchase certain products from taken away without any consultation or apparent consideration of their individual needs as valued customers.”

“Subsequently, announcements have been voiced by UFG management and some UFG affiliated suppliers that FloraMax would soon be out of business and closing its doors.”

“The FloraMax Team wants to advise you to the contrary; in fact FloraMax is very much alive and absolutely determined to continue to provide the same high standard of auctioning services as we have always done.”

“Prices at auction are determined by the laws of supply and demand, and, FloraMax (and previously Turners & Growers) are proud to remind you that for more than 70 years we have always done everything within our power to maximise the prices paid for your product sold in our auctions. FloraMax is proud to have always operated in a professional and transparent manner at all times and will continue to do so.” 

“The fact that the German cooperative BAYWA, a company twice the size of Fonterra, is now the majority shareholder in Turners & Growers only strengthens our ability to continue to provide you with superior systems and service and our history of secure fortnightly payments.”

“The FloraMax Team remains as committed as ever to returning the best possible prices for your product and in conjunction with its aligned wholesalers is undeterred in planning a profitable future for our growers.”