Florists' Mutual Insurance Company Announces Name Change

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Years of steady growth and large-scale diversification of its policyholder base within the horticultural industry have prompted Florists' Mutual Insurance Company to change its name to Hortica.

"A few decades ago, our name described us perfectly," Hortica President and CEO Robert McClellan said. "Our expertise and state-of-the art insurance products have enabled us to serve many other horticultural businesses…we believe our new trade name more completely describes our commitment to the entire horticultural industry."

Hortica, based in Edwardsville, Ill., dedicates 100 percent of its resources to the horticultural industry, serving nurseries, garden centers, landscape contractors, retail and wholesale florists, greenhouse growers and interior landscapers. Many Hortica policyholders own multiple businesses representing two or more of these specialties.

In 1962, the assets of Florists' Mutual Insurance totaled about $4.7 million. Since then, the company's assets have grown to more than $100 million.

McClellan explained that Hortica has filed a trademark registration for its new name, but because of insurance registration requirements, the legal name for the company will continue to be Florists' Mutual Insurance. Therefore, all policies will continue to include the company's old name.

"Hortica's goals include making the company known under its new name to the entire horticulture industry," he continued. "We intend for the Hortica name, like Florists' Mutual, to be associated with outstanding levels of expert and caring service and with products tailored to horticultural industry needs."

Hortica, which has about 250 employees, has been serving the industry for 115 years and has thousands of policyholders in 49 states and the District of Columbia. For more information visit the company's Web site or contact it by phone at 800/851-7740.