Insurance firms J. Smith Lanier and Flowers Agency merge, to consolidate Columbus offices

Sept. 16--Insurance firms J. Smith Lanier & Co. of West Point, Ga., and The Flowers Agency of Columbus have merged, with plans to consolidate their Columbus offices to Brookstone Centre office park by the middle of October.

The merger, effective Sept. 1, brings together one of the oldest insurance companies in the U.S., with J. Smith Lanier founded just after the Civil War, and the relatively young Flowers Agency, founded by Thomas Flowers in 1980. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Robert Culpepper, J. Smith Lanier senior executive vice president and managing director, in a statement, said the union between the two "enhances our excellent relationships with the insurance carriers, giving us additional strength to provide the best coverages, at the best price to meet our client's benefit needs."

Flowers expressed excitement about the merger involving his insurance firm, which serves individuals and corporate clients throughout the Columbus area.

"Both companies have a long tradition of excellence in customer service and we believe the combination will allow us to provide even greater value to our customers," he said in a statement.

The Flowers Agency will relocate its staff at 2221 Manchester Expressway to the existing J. Smith Lanier offices at 200 Brookstone Centre Parkway, Suite 118, Columbus.

J. Smith Lanier has a colorful history. The insurance and consulting firm dates to 1868 with the launch of a small banking and insurance business by brothers Ward Crocket Lanier and Lafayette Lanier. J. Smith Lanier, a telephone company executive, took the reins of the company around the Great Depression, with his daughter, Edith Lanier Wickham, helping run the company until selling it to J. Smith Lanier II in 1973.

The name of the company was changed from Lanier Insurance Agency to J. Smith Lanier & Co. in 1983.

J. Smith Lanier II ran the company until passing away in December 2013 at age 85. He was chairman emeritus at the time. The late Lanier was a prolific entrepreneur, helping launch a number of firms -- including ITC Holding Co. and Powertel, the cellular phone business bought out by T-Mobile's parent company.

His nephew, Gaines Lanier, became chief executive officer n 1999 and then chairman of the board in 2005.

The West Point-based company is employee owned with more than 600 employees and eight divisions, including 21 branch offices. It offers commercial and personal lines of insurance, with services including employee benefits, surety, aviation and risk control.

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