Willow Group, Ltd.

Specialties

Known for its wholesale baskets, Willow Group, Ltd. is a wholesale distributor of baskets, containers, packaging and display for the floral, garden center, gift, food service and home décor environments. We offer a large array of products to meet any need. Willow Group, Ltd. is the parent company of Willow Specialties, Avery Imports and Skalny. This combination provides an extremely diversified product selection for your basket needs; packaging, floral, garden center, gift, food service, hotel and restaurant supply, home décor and display. Our goal is to continuously strive to supply a quality product at a reasonable price with excellent service and expedient delivery.

History

Established in 1928.

From humble beginnings in southeastern Poland, basket artisan, willow furniture maker and skilled craftsman Ludwig Skalny immigrated to the United States in 1906. After working in Boston and then Detroit, Ludwig and his wife Aniela settled in Rochester, NY. Using his basket weaving expertise along with hard work, a strong business ethic, personal integrity, and an American dream, Ludwig started a small home based basket weaving business in his garage workshop. His handmade and carefully crafted baskets were quickly sold to local florists, produce markets, food stores and local retail outlets. Quality merchandise and customer service were the strengths of the newly founded cottage industry, as proud and successful entrepreneur Ludwig, was laying a solid foundation for future generations.

Meet the Business Owner

Bernie S.

Business Owner

Bernard (Bernie) has life long experience working in the basket business. Born in 1956, Bernie’s first job was working with his grandfather, his dad, aunt and uncles in the family based L. Skalny Basket Company of Rochester, NY. Working from the ground up, and over the years, Bernie gained experience in all aspects of the basket import and wholesale trade. In 1984, Bernie graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with a BA in Business Management and started a new generation basket and packaging business, Willow Specialties. In the following years, Avery Imports and Skalny Basket Company were acquired and the Willow Group was established. Bernie loves all aspects of Willow Group and especially likes the challenges of sourcing new products, providing top notch service to all customers and making sure that Willow Group remains a family centered workplace and values based entity. He is happily married with five children.