Sheldon Baker08.06.10
Paul Flowerman is president and owner of P.L. Thomas (PLT), Morristown, NJ, an organization that internationally sources, markets and sells ingredients of plant origin to the food, nutraceutical and cosmeceutical industries. PLT specializes in dietary supplements whose benefits are supported by clinical results. Paul joined PLT in 1976 after completing his studies at Princeton and Harvard. He also has an MBA in marketing and international business from NYU. His international experience reaches beyond simply business; he devoted three years after college to teaching chemistry, physics, and mathematics in Peru (Proyecto Amistad—Project of Friendship) and Malaysia (Peace Corps). Much of PLT’s progress may be traced to the trusting and very well-informed relationships that PLT forms with its international partners. Mr. Flowerman views PLT’s international business activities as a platform to foster and improve mutual understanding among individuals from the many nationalities and cultures with which it interacts.
I recently spoke with Paul at an industry tradeshow in Secaucus, NJ.
Health E-Insights: Was there really a P.L. Thomas?
Mr. Flowerman: In 1944, Paul Greene and Lou Witkoff formed a general merchandise trading company known as P.L. Thomas, Inc. It was apparently beneficial in those days to have an ethnically neutral name. My father Marvin Flowerman, who had started his own business in 1948, combined his company into PLT in 1956.
Health E-Insights: How has PLT kept pace with the 21st Century dietary supplement marketplace?
Mr. Flowerman: Since joining PLT in 1976, I have participated in multiple major repositioning all directed toward finding the sweet spot in the ingredients business where we could evolve to best provide the economic utility needed by target clients. In recent times, we are more actively participating in the scientific validation of the ingredients we market. The addition of Dr. Vladimir Badmaev, MD, PhD, to our staff is a clear demonstration that we are walking the talk.
Health E-Insights: Tell us about Biosecur Antimicrobial, your new, natural organic product.
Mr. Flowerman: Biosecur is citrus extract based, but without grapefruit seed oil. It is a unique formulation that has demonstrated extraordinary microbial kill under a broad variety of conditions. We are working diligently to evaluate all aspects of this opportunity to be able to credibly present an alternative solution to the increasingly serious issue of microbial contamination in herbal raw materials, food, supplements and cosmetics.
Health E-Insights: You’re very much involved in the global community.
Mr. Flowerman: Before going into business, I taught physics and chemistry in Peru and Malaysia. I love languages and believe that PLT benefits from our staff's ability to usually communicate with our clients in the language in which they are most comfortable. I believe that the extraordinary advances in information transfer and communication do not obviate the importance of visiting with your international partners. For over 25 years, water tankers we purchased have been filling up at the Nile and selling water at nominal rates to Sudanese in remote villages who are able to remain in their villages during the interminable dry season, the period during which the gum acacias trees must be tapped and the gum acacia harvested. We collaborated with a wonderful British-based charity, SOS Sahel, who helped this project endure and make a difference.
Health E-Insights: As you travel so much, what’s your worst travel experience?
Mr. Flowerman: Twenty years ago, just a few hours after two days of masterfully navigating truly perilous roads in Bihar State, India, my driver-business partner-dear friend Arvind Tarway fell into a coma from what turned out to be fatal brain tumor. This fatal tragedy so far from home was devastating.
For more information and interview consideration, contact Sheldon Baker at sbaker@bakerdillon.com or visit his website at www.bakerdillon.com.
