Acquisition gives MM dominant role in Tulips

MM Flowers, a major supplier to the supermarket sector, has acquired Poplar Farm Flowers, the largest tulip grower in the UK, a move they describe as exciting for both customers and employees.

In a post on Linkedin CEO, Phil Whelan, said: “We are delighted to bring Poplar Farm Flowers into the MM family. This is a very important investment for us as we work to shorten our supply chains, reduce our carbon footprint and increase our supply of British-grown cut flowers. All of that with the ultimate aim of creating what we call meaningful moments for our customers, end consumers and employees.”
 
Speaking on behalf of Poplar, MD Andrew Ellis said “Becoming part of MM secures Poplar’s future. Like MM we are a family business. We’ve been successful for 64 years and this move will enable us to invest and build our business for years to come. There is growing demand for fresh cut British-grown flowers – with all the environmental and freshness benefits that it brings – and we’re now perfectly placed to respond.”
 
Phil added “This acquisition is our latest investment in the home-grown flower market and follows the opening of the UK Field Crop Centre in Lincolnshire in 2022.  In summer 2024, we also acquired Moolenaar, a Netherlands-based bulb business which has strengthened the group’s bulb capacity, customer relationships and provides access to the garden centre sector with dried bulbs, gift packs and other bulb-related products. Both Poplar and Moolenaar will also have access to our amazing Apex Plant Research Centre.

The latest acquisition also comes hot on the heels of MM winning the Fresh Produce Consortium’s 'Supermarket Floral & Plant Supplier of the Year' award and their main customer Marks & Spencer winning 'Online Floral Retailer of the Year'