SKINNER NURSERIES REFOCUSES ITS MARKET EFFORTS

Jacksonville, FL - Skinner Nurseries, the leading supplier of green goods in the South, has refocused its market efforts by adjusting its sales model in South Florida while opening branch locations in several key southern markets.

Due to the market conditions in South Florida, Skinner Nurseries has decided to switch its sales model to delivered sales only, and cease carrying inventory and pick-up operations at its Villages, Tampa and Palm Beach locations.  The three branch closings will be effective April 28, 2008

“We must adjust to the changing market, leverage our costs and provide a competitive solution for our customers in South Florida.  We will continue to compete in these markets with our Florida Direct sales team,” said Kevin Van Dyke, President.

Skinner Nurseries has also opened new branch locations in the Atlanta (Alpharetta, Buford), Charleston (Summerville) and Dallas (Garland) markets in the first quarter of 2008.  Additional openings are scheduled for later this year.

“We will continue to invest in markets where our Plant Purchasing Simplified model has proven successful.  We will also monitor and reallocate our resources accordingly in all markets that we serve in order to own the word ‘service’ in the minds of our customers,” Van Dyke added.

Skinner Nurseries now operates twenty-one strategically located distribution centers across the southern United States, and is one of the fastest growing suppliers of green goods in the Southeast.