Brewton, Ala. — The next time you see an artificial flower arrangement in some of the country’s most upscale department stores and magazines, you’re probably looking at a beautiful centerpiece made right Here in Alabama. Natural Decorations, Inc. (NDI), led by Joe and Carol Gory, has been a leader in the flower business for over 50 years.
Carol Gordy, now CEO and Owner of NDI, is a floral designer with a love for the high quality of the NDI product as well as the excellent customer service that her company provides. NDI claims in their slogan that their quality flower are the “only alternative to real flowers” and being one of the world’s foremost provider of floral and botanical reproductions seems to support that claim.
However, NDI hasn’t always been such a leader in the industry. When Gordy first joined the NDI company in 1985 as Sales and Marketing Director, she was asked to study the artificial floral industry and report back on NDI’s current position in the market.
“After my study I had to report back that they were dead last,” Gordy said. “I was afforded the opportunity to implement my ideas, with the caveat that I would have the option to purchase the company if I was able to strengthen our position in the marketplace.”
Gordy saw the potential to offer the finest faux floral designs available and market the company to high-end designers and retailers. And through her ideas, NDI has reached huge success.
“The strategy worked! NDI was awarded our first ARTS Award 1 year later and sales increased more than 75% the next year.”
Following the company’s success under her leadership, Gordy then purchased the company in 1989.
Today, NDI features products of flowers, trees, greenery, stems, accessories, containers and more. Each of these beautiful floral designs are custom and made to order at the NDI workshop, which is also the company’s headquarters, located in Brewton, Alabama.
Since it’s humble beginnings in 1964, NDI has garnered world attention and achieved many honors. NDI’s dedication to creative artistry and design led to the company being a six time recipient of Accessories Resource Team (ARTS) Manufacturer of the Year Award, which earned NDI a spot in the ARTS Hall of Fame, an honor given to companies who have won in their ARTS categories five times or more.
In addition, NDI is a part of the Business Council of Alabama (BCA), an organization dedicated to improving the business climate in Alabama. BCA is the state’s most powerful and effective advocate for business at the Alabama Legislature and in the U.S. Congress.
“BCA exposed our type of business to hundreds of companies in BCA who never imagined a company such as ours,” said Gordy. Gordy added that NDI’s partnership with BCA “resulted in added exposure for our company and increased sales.”
NDI also maintains successful relationships with many noteworthy partners, including Neiman Marcus, Joss & Main, Ruelala, Garden & Gun, Domino, and Traditional Home. Not to mention, you may have seen NDI flowers on the big screen on The Good Wife, Homeland, and Scandal.
“I have remained steadfast in upholding the high standards of excellence we initially established for our products, design and service, all of which have been key to our success for all these years,” Gordy says.
For more information about Natural Decorations, Inc. and NDI products, go to the NDI website.
Yellowhammer’s Alabama Business Spotlight is a new series highlighting some of the state’s most successful businesses working to perfect their craft and share it with the rest of the nation.
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