Our Story
Vegmoflora Pty (Ltd) is deeply rooted in a legacy of flowers – one that spans continents and generations.
In 1982, at just 18 years old, Gerard van Egmond arrived in South Africa with his family from Rijnsburg, Holland — a town famous for its flower culture. Coming from a third-generation “flower family,” it was almost inevitable that Gerard would continue in the trade. As a young boy, he worked alongside his father on their flower farm and assisted his uncles, who sourced blooms at auction and sold them across Holland and Germany from their trucks. These early experiences instilled a deep knowledge of and passion for the floral industry that would guide his journey ahead.
By 1984, while studying horticulture in Durban, Gerard assisted in selling flowers on behalf of local growers and initially Anthuriums for his father. This inspired Gerard to source other flowers from the Johannesburg flower auction as there was a demand for other flowers. In 1985, he officially began trading as Gerard van Egmond Flower Wholesale.
Later that year, Gerard, with the help of his father bought a 3-tonne refrigerated truck, making weekly drives to Johannesburg’s Multiflora Flower Market, where he sourced fresh stock through the flower auction.
By 1986, a 5-tonne truck replaced the previous one, and his team had expanded to three staff members.
The year 1987 marked a significant step forward: the business moved into a 400m² premises on Dumbarton Road, off Umgeni Road, expanding to six trading days a week and offering basic floral accessories like floral foam, plastic pots, and baskets.
Plans were drawn up in 1989 to build the first warehouse to sustain the continued growth which led to the move in 1990, to a larger 1,200m² premises at 6 Elmfield Place in Springfield Park. Under the supervision of sister Yvonne, who joined in 1992, the accessory division expanded significantly, complementing the thriving cut flower trade.
By 1996, with the business outgrowing its space once again, Gerard rebranded to Vegmoflora Pty (Ltd), an acronym blending van Egmond and flora. Plans were drawn for a custom-built facility, and in 1998, the new premises at Anthurium Place officially opened. The business split into two specialised companies: Vegmoflora, focusing on fresh flowers, and Vegmo Accessories, managed by Yvonne, supplying all necessary floral tools and décor.
In 1999 Andrew Hayter joined the company to become a Director of Vegmoflora Pty (Ltd), 5 years later.
In 2009, the companies moved into their current location: the purpose-built Vegmo Floral Centre.
A total of 5,000m2 offering the 2 companies mirror-image buildings of 2,500m² each completed the floral wholesale solution to Durban’s flower industry. Today, florists can source both fresh flowers and accessories under one roof, backed by decades of trusted service.
Vegmoflora continues to play a vital role in supporting both florists and growers – especially in KwaZulu-Natal – providing a structured, large-scale outlet for local growers and helping newcomers navigate the floral industry. Gerard’s extensive knowledge spans both ends of the trade, making him a valuable resource for growers seeking advice not just on selling, but also on growing practices.
At Vegmoflora, we’re proud of our heritage – one that began on Dutch flower farms and now blossoms across South Africa. We continue to grow with our clients, our community, and our enduring love for fresh flowers.