Hines Creates Unit for Sale of Bedding Plants

Nursery operator Hines Horticulture Inc. said Wednesday it has created a new unit to focus exclusively on color bedding plants.

The Irvine company said it expects sales of its color product line for 2000 to be $120 million to $125 million. The color product line comprises mainly annual bedding plants such as petunias, geraniums, impatiens and begonias as well as flowering houseplants.

Hines named Thomas L. Fortner president of the new unit. Fortner was the owner and president of Willow Creek Greenhouses Inc., which was acquired by Hines Horticulture in January.

Robert A. Ferguson was named president of the nursery unit. Ferguson, who joined the company in 1983, has served as production manager, regional sales manager, general manager in Houston, and a regional vice president. President and Chief Executive Stephen P. Thigpen was named chairman of the company’s board.