F&G Files Still on the Market; PIPs Put on Hold

Foster & Gallagher, Grand Rapids, MI, is keeping its catalog buyers’ files on the market for the time being. Its package insert programs for the fall are not being marketed.

“The intention now is to continue to market the lists,” said Dale Fujimoto, senior vice president of marketing at Foster & Gallagher. However, “a lot is in flux right now in regards to what’s happening. If the assets are sold off, it’s the decision of those people that buy the assets.”

Foster & Gallagher filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Monday after ceasing operations last Friday and laying off the majority of its 3,000 employees.

The files include Gurney’s Seed & Nursery Co., Henry Field Seed & Nursery, Michigan Bulb, New Holland Bulb Co., Spring Hill Nurseries, Stark Brothers and Breck’s Dutch Bulbs. The Gift Group, which includes Walter Drake and the Home Marketplace, remains in operation and was reportedly sold for about $14 million.

The insert programs are Michigan Bulb, Spring Hill Nurseries, Breck’s, Gurney’s Seed and Nursery Co., Henry Field Seed & Nursery and Stark Brokers, Fujimoto said.

It is unclear whether or not inserts already sold will be delivered. “It all depends on if the orders are shipped or not, as of now Foster & Gallagher has shut down all operations,” Fujimoto said.

RMI Direct Marketing in Danbury, CT, is still processing orders, updating counts and working to complete package insert programs for the Foster & Gallagher files and programs it manages, said Walter Perkowski, vice president of list management.

Foster & Gallagher is “not offering a fire sale on the list, selling it for unlimited use or releasing it to creditors,” he said. “Everything is as per normal.”