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HortiTrends Weekly Comment & News Digest 27th Oct
- 26 October 2011
Just back from a new landscape show in the UK called Creating Landscapes. It was in the intimate setting of Capel Manor College in London and was born from the UK Landscape Juice Network which connects people working in the trade from across the UK. A lot of hard work was put into the event and in the end the good weather over the 2 days, with rain to come went against it, as knowing the landscape sector well myself, they decided to get the outstanding work done while the sun shined. The attendance was not as high as expected but exhibitors were certainly happy with the quality of the visitor as against the quantity and there is an appetite to develop the show further by the organisers, visitors and exhibitors, I believe. The Headline sponsor was Marshalls PLC.
I did an extensive interview with Chris Harrop the group marketing director at Marshall's, a leading paving manufacturer. Chris was recognised as one of the Top Five Ethical Influencers as early as 2007. It is interesting that the company has remained healthy throughout the downturn. Pre-tax profits jumped 51% to £12.2m on sales up 9% to £177min the first 6 months of 2011. A long time ago they took a deep look at the social, environmental and community impacts that their business was having and make sure now, that their business practises remain profitable while remaining loyal to the principles of Social Marketing. They also have put a huge emphasis on their network of installers and are quick to remove any rouge type traders from their register, if they do not meet the stringent standards that have been set by Marshalls. The other side of the coin is that they offer a huge range of support services to installers who follow the company mantra of 'Creating Better Landscapes'. Full interview article to follow.
A customer also took me to the Dutch Nursery Garden Centre outside London which is on a road that has about 10 garden centres in close proximity to each other and is a well known destination for garden shoppers on that side of London. They all seemed busy. You can buy gardening products, eat good food and in the case of the Dutch Nursery you can dance the night away at one of the many successful nighttime events they run. Its an idea that some may find strange but the events pay for themselves and make a profit. You never know what the customers might buy with a few glasses of wine in them! Great place for the lady plant lovers, to take the tight fisted husbands (may or may not include me when it comes to plants). They also offer coach tours along with an array of other gardening related services. Its a family company with roles divided to take account of each family members talents and it works well. Find out more here http://www.dutchnurserygardencentre.co.uk.
I will be at International HortiFair Week from Monday to Thursday and am always sure of bumping into Pat Fitzgerald who remains one of Ireland's most hard working and successful exporters of amenity plants which is why he is always on the road. If you are visiting be sure to see Pat and the new technology kids on the block CleanGrow.
Thank you,
Joseph (Editor at HortiTrends)
