Flowers Group

A Legacy of Innovation

Providing the Flavor of the Caribbean Underpinned by Caymanian Excellence

Few enterprises in the Caribbean have shaped the development of their community as profoundly as The Flowers Group. Founded in 1946 by the late Clarence “CL” Flowers, this Caymanian-owned and operated business has grown from humble beginnings into a diversified group that has touched nearly every aspect of life on the islands.

Nearly eighty years later, The Flowers Group remains proudly family run, now led by second and third generations. Today, Frank Flowers and his daughter Dara Flowers carry forward the legacy of integrity, innovation, and service established by CL.

“Our grandfather built this business on two simple principles,” Dara reflects. “You have to foresee a need and supply it before anyone else. And you have to be the best. Those values are still at the heart of everything we do today.”

From Jamaica to Cayman: The Early Years

The Flowers story begins with a thirteen-year-old boy leaving Jamaica to seek work in Grand Cayman. That boy, Clarence Levi Flowers, would go on to become one of the island’s most influential entrepreneurs. After volunteering in World War II with the Trinidad Royal Navy Reserves, where he hunted German submarines in the Caribbean, Clarence returned home determined to build a future.

With his savings, he purchased a Bedford truck and launched a small transport business. From ferrying cargo and passengers from seaplanes to trucking goods across districts, Clarence laid the foundation for what would become the Flowers Air Dispatch Services. His approach was grounded in hard work, honesty, and a willingness to diversify to meet community needs.

Building Blocks of Cayman’s Future

In the 1950s, Clarence proposed to his sweetheart, Jen Hinds. As a gesture of love, he vowed to build her “the toughest house on the rock.” At a time when most homes were made of wood and thatch, Clarence saw the potential of concrete blocks. He persuaded the government to let him use their hand-press block machine and painstakingly produced the blocks for his first home. The house stood strong against the elements, inspiring others to commission blocks of their own. Thus, Flowers Block was born, setting the stage for decades of leadership in building materials.

At the same time, Clarence saw another essential need — fresh water. Tourism on Seven Mile Beach could not progress without a reliable supply. Through Flowers Water Transport, Clarence began trucking rainwater and later partnered in establishing the Cayman Water Company, helping to pipe water to hotels and residences. In 1974, Flowers Bottled Water was officially launched, a business that remains an island staple today.

Growth Through the Decades

Each decade brought new milestones. In the 1960s, CL Flowers & Sons expanded block production with modern equipment, raising construction standards across Cayman to the highest in the Caribbean.

In the 1970s, Clarence joined fellow Caymanians in establishing Cayman National Bank and continued to invest in water infrastructure. By the 1980s, the family was acquiring property in George Town and laying the groundwork for Cricket Square, today the largest commercial office development in the Cayman Islands.

The 1990s marked diversification into new areas. Frank Flowers, recovering from a running injury, discovered swimming and founded the Flowers One Mile Sea Swim, an event that has since become one of the world’s top open-water swims and a celebrated local fundraiser. The family also introduced Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) to the region, reducing energy use in buildings and paving the way for modern, hurricane-resistant structures.

When Hurricane Ivan struck in 2004, Cricket Square became a community shelter, and Flowers’ water operations distributed clean drinking water free of charge. In the aftermath, block crews worked day and night to support the rebuilding effort. The Sea Swim, too, took on a renewed mission, channeling proceeds into hurricane relief and, later, into countless local charities.

By the 2010s, The Flowers Group had rebranded under its modern identity, acquired Air Agencies to expand aviation services, and continued to grow Cricket Square into a hub for business, dining, and fitness in the heart of George Town.

In 2021, the company celebrated its 75th anniversary with a renovated headquarters and a host of new projects — a proud testament to a legacy rooted in family values and community service.

Weathering Challenges with Resilience

In Cayman, resilience is not optional. From hurricanes to global crises, The Flowers Group has endured by preparing for the unexpected.

“We keep at least a three-month cushion of block inventory,” Frank explains. “That is why even after Hurricane Ivan or during the pandemic, we never stopped supplying customers. To this day, since 1946, we have never run out of blocks.”

During COVID-19, the group protected jobs by reassigning staff from aviation to other divisions, while Air Dispatch played a vital role in receiving cargo flights with test kits and relief supplies. “Every division experienced challenges differently,” Dara recalls. “But by staying adaptable, we kept serving Cayman when it mattered most.”

True to CL’s philosophy, the group continues to evolve. Recent renovations transformed the headquarters into a modern, interactive space with touchscreen showrooms, QR-coded product information, and advanced video conferencing. A dedicated training facility allows staff to demonstrate the latest building technologies.

The block and foam division continues to innovate with decorative foam products, ICF construction, and sustainable manufacturing practices. Recent land acquisitions provide room for additional factories, ensuring capacity for the next generation of building technologies.

“We are future-focused,” Dara says. “Our plan includes new products, expanded capacity, and continuous improvement in efficiency and sustainability.”

Community Impact: The Heart of the Business

The business that began with a house built for love has never lost its heart. For over three decades, the Flowers Sea Swim has combined sport, tourism, and philanthropy, raising millions of dollars for causes such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity, Feed Our Future, and the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre.

“When our family started the Sea Swim, it was about celebrating health and sport,” Frank recalls. “After Hurricane Ivan, it became about something more — giving back to those in need. Every year since, it has been an opportunity to support our community.”

The Group’s culture of philanthropy extends into every division, from donating building materials to supporting community projects and providing opportunities for Cayman’s youth.

A Culture of Integrity

With nearly 200 employees across its divisions, The Flowers Group is more than a company — it is a family. Dara emphasizes the importance of loyalty, both within the team and with customers.

“We trade in loyalty,” she says. “That means listening, responding, and valuing every customer, whether they buy one block or thousands. In a small country, your reputation is everything. You have to get it right every time — and if you don’t, your recovery has to be even better.”

Frank adds, “Complacency is the biggest downfall. You can never take customers for granted. Every single day, you have to earn their trust.”

Looking to the Next Chapter

As The Flowers Group approaches its 80th anniversary, its future rests on the same values that shaped its past: foresight, quality, and community spirit. With succession planning well underway, new generations of Flowers family members are stepping into leadership.

“We are proud of where we have come from, but even more excited about where we are going,” Dara concludes. “Cayman is our home, and our mission is to keep building it stronger, safer, and more sustainable for generations to come.”

From a young Jamaican boy with a dream to one of Cayman’s most respected enterprises, The Flowers Group remains a shining example of how vision, resilience, and heart can build not only businesses, but entire communities.

AT A GLANCE

WHO: Flowers Group

WHAT: Leading organization that provides for every aspect of island living with a Caribbean mind set and customer driven approach

WHERE: Cayman Islands, Caribbean

WEBSITE: flowersgroup.com

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