With a busy calendar of events, membership numbers continuing to rise, and collaboration with the HTA forging ahead, 2018 is already proving to be a bumper year for GIMA. Its members also have a busy year ahead as we tease out the latest news from several large and small suppliers.
GIMA Upcoming Events
Garden Press Event London Business Design Centre, Islington 28th February
GIMA AGM & Day Confernce 12th April, Ettington Chase Hotel, Stratford-Upon-Avon)
Featuring the following guest speakers:
Tony Blake, Chairman/Founder of Choice Marketing, Martin Breddy, Managing Director of Squires Garden Centres, Glynn Jones, Deputy Agent for The Bank of England Midlands Agency and from Moneycorp, Senior Account Manager, John Sawyer.
Member news
Garden Pride Marketing is already celebrating the start of 2018 with a record number of pre-season orders for its pot care range – including a brand-new pot caddy design. Handmade in the UK from Danish and Swedish Redwood, and treated with linseed oil containing anti-fungicidal wax and UV repellent, the caddy comes in a range of sizes and finishes, either round or square.
Green Digit, has gone from strength to strength since winning the GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund in 2016, and has been trading well since the Brexit announcement, with 65-75% of its 100% UK-manufactured stock now exported to Europe. The Newcastle based start-up will continue to build publicity for its SeedCell and SingleCell products in 2018, aiming specifically at a younger demographic; particularly those looking to sow something for the first time and passionate about the current issue of single use plastics.
Evergreen Horticulture is introducing an Aquatic Compost in a 20-litre bag this year, to cater for what the company has seen as limited availability within the industry. Evergreen Aquatic Compost has a carefully developed aquatic planting media recommended for planting or repotting all marginal, floating and submerged aquatic plants, promoting growth and increasing flower production.
Hozelock’s helpful mascot – a bee called Bizzi – is heading up the ‘Plant a Pot for Bizzi’ consumer campaign – encouraging gardeners to plant more bee-friendly plants to halt and hopefully reverse the decline in Britain’s bee population.
Bathgate Horticulture has had a great start for 2018 – awarded a ‘’Which? Best Buy’’ for its Champions Blend All Purpose Compost – which is ideal for use in pots, planters and hanging baskets.
Woodlodge has added brand new, innovative planters to its ranges for 2018. Heritage Garden, Vintage, Rustic Garden and the lightweight Feather Range have expanded following increased popularity and include new contemporary designs and finishes. Woodlodge is also proud to announce a new venture to help promote awareness of and raise money for Greenfingers Charity and Marie Curie in 2018. For every pot sold, a small percentage will be donated to each charity.
For further information please contact the GIMA Press Office on (01959) 564947 or info@gima.org.uk
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About GIMA
The Garden Industry Manufacturer’s Association (GIMA) is a membership organisation of around 150 members representing the majority share of suppliers and manufacturers operating within the UK gardening industry.
Formed in 1999, its goal is to promote the commercial, trading and industrial interests of UK and EU based companies supplying the UK garden industry.
Run by a small team of dedicated professionals, and governed by a council of members, GIMA is funded by membership subscriptions and services.
The range of services and support provided for members is extensive, offering something for all members, regardless of their size or heritage