Big Grower September 2019 - 6

COVER STORY
The roots of Welby Gardens began when Alex and Esther Gerace bought land
in Colorado in 1948 and began farming. Esther's love of flowers spurred the
company's evolution into horticulture.
This summer the company has been working diligently to streamline
its production operations in its greenhouses while expanding its office
space and consolidating different departments like accounting, sales,
logistics and distribution to get its new headquarters up and running -
smoothly and efficiently.
He says the team has spent the summer putting the " new " facilities
together in a proficient and logical manner so they can hit the ground
running and be fully operational once the 74th Ave. facility sale is complete.
While no new greenhouses are currently being built, there is new office
construction taking place while some existing buildings are being retrofitted
but everything is scheduled is on target for the 2020 spring season.
ENERGIZED AND READY
John says that the changes taking place at Welby Gardens this year are
all about the future - and just a natural progression for the company.
The company is always examining its operations while keeping an eye
on the future.
" For all of our customer segments, when we sit down annually, we
really decide who are partners are - both customers and suppliers -
and how we can work with them and solve their problems " for today
and tomorrow.
This allows the company to identify its strengths and weaknesses and
determine how it can and should focus its resources.
He says it is critical for all growers to constantly examine their
employees at the remaining two operations. In 2019, all three facilities
had approximately 360 total employees including seasonal labor. The
company estimates that in its new business structure they will be less
reliant on seasonal labor and that number will be reduced to somewhere
around 250.
" This will allow us to have some really increased efficiencies and the
ability to utilize labor from one department to another, " John says.
operations and their operating costs and be proactive when it comes
time to make investments in the future. " That is something we have
always been good at.
" We are really committed to this business and the future - we
absolutely are! " John declares. " This is still a family business. There is a
ton of energy in the air here as we prepare for 2020. "
By taking the pulse of your business on a regular basis, it makes it
easier to steer the business in a new direction when the time is right -
and now is that time for Welby Gardens.
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Big Grower September 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Big Grower September 2019
