Ball Horticultural Company is the latest major investor in GrowZone, a horticultural industry e-business that provides an efficient, online marketplace for suppliers and retailers. 

A key component is GreenBuyer.com, a sophisticated selling site on which growers, distributors and manufacturers offer their current inventory to buyers. This will expand their market and attract more sales, and give growers, retailers and landscapers a broadened inventory with current availability and pricing. Another element, YourNursery.com, helps retailers reach out to consumers in their community to sell products and serve them online. 

The West Chicago-based Ball Horticultural Company is an international leader in the development, production and distribution of seed, plants and growing supplies to professional growers. "Since Ball Horticultural Company was founded in 1905, we have led the floriculture industry in many innovations, so it's a natural that we would partner with GrowZone as they create one of the most dynamic developments in the nursery business,'' explained Anna Ball, CEO. "We believe that the tremendous power of the internet will enable everyone in our industry to grow their businesses and enhance profits.'' 

Another key investor in GrowZone is Monrovia, one of the world's leading growers of container plants and trees. The 74-year-old commercial nursery, based in Southern California, has a reputation as a pioneer and quality grower among its 5,000+ retail customers nationwide. Miles Rosedale, CEO of Monrovia, points out that GrowZone emerged when several leaders within the horticultural industry joined together to provide an e-commerce solution from within the industry. "This will enhance the way we all do business,'' said Rosedale. "It is critical that we work together within the industry to create an online marketplace. GrowZone has created an environment that lets both suppliers and retailers earn their full profit margins, reach more customers and grow their businesses.'' 

GreenBuyer.com will incorporate Webtrack, Ball's proprietary internet order-entry software that
simplifies the ordering process. Buyers can check real-time availability, book and review orders, check order status, specify shipping options, request order confirmations and track shipments. 

A second component is YourNursery, which enables retailers to have their own web presence with e-commerce capabilities. GrowZone helps retailers create a new customizable website or enhance their existing site. A unique landscape design tool can be added to their site, in which consumers can scan in a photo of their own house to create a personalized design and purchase plants for their garden makeover.

The Denver-based GrowZone has secured more than $13 million in funding this year with investors from the horticultural industry, including Ball and Monrovia. GrowZone, founded in 1996, began as an informational gateway to the nursery industry, providing a range of marketing, sales and information services in collaboration with major trade associations such as American Nursery & Landscape Association, Texas Nursery and Landscape Association, Southern Nursery Association, Turfgrass Producers International, Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association and Michigan Nursery & Landscape Association.

Company news release
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