In This Issue
Highest week for plant sales - but not quite a record overall - GTN Bestsellers update
Record sales on record breaking Bank Holiday - updated with figures from Dobbies
Bids start coming in for Bunnings/Homebase
Smart gardening with Lechuza
Cherry Lane acquires David's Nurseries in Worcester, as revealed by GTN Xtra
Blue Diamond staff get naked for pictures on social media
Carol Paris launches new garden centre group Somerton
Can we make up 11% in May?
Introducing new HTA Board members
Phoenix Natural Gas supports Hillmount kids club
Garden centres add support to The National Rose Festival
Strikes Stokesley partially reopens after devastating fire
10 years of leading greenhouse manufacture from Vitavia
Wyevale provides plants for BALI’s stand at Malvern
Durstons’ Dan takes up a position on GIMA Council
RHS licensing partners help bring new project to life
Zest 4 Leisure trio celebrate marathon success
Places available at GCA Plant Area Forum at Ball Colegrave
Deputy Centre / Planterea Manager
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Decco appoints Andrew Ballantine as new Chief Operating Officer
Garden product sales down for 11th consecutive week
Plenty of potential for veg plant sales
Roller coaster ride for growing media
Cold weather is a boost for Wild Bird Care sales
Date confirmed for GIMA Buyer Connect
Book your place at the table at the HTA Catering Conference – 5-6 June 2018
Beth Chatto Symposium honours 95th birthday
The best of last week's
Home & Garden group of centres to be split up
Average April means May Bank Holiday weather is crucial
QD Group buys David’s Nurseries to make Cherry Lane No 12
Wesfarmers seeks fast-track exit from the UK
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to GTN Bestsellers
Situations Vacant
Deputy Centre / Planterea Manager

Hillview Garden Centres have a vacancy for Deputy Centre / Plantarea Manager at Scotland Nurseries Garden Store...

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10 years of leading greenhouse manufacture from Vitavia

We spoke to Tony Hutchinson, Managing Director of Vitavia Garden Products Ltd, to find out how he feels about celebrating Vitavia’s 10th Anniversary in 2018.

 

This year Vitavia celebrates its 10th Anniversary. What thoughts and emotions come to mind when you think about that?

It’s quite a milestone and I’m very happy that over the last 10 years Vitavia has become  a major supplier to both the UK and European greenhouse markets.  Sons Robbie & John and daughter Andrea have all joined Gay & I in the family business and I feel we are in good shape to take on the future challenges of the changing trading environment.

 

What made you start Vitavia?  Where did you draw inspiration in order to start and build this business?

When the offer came to start the UK company and join our European partners in the Vitavia business, it was an opportunity not to be missed. It was an exciting time, starting a business and working for ourselves, but we drew confidence from OPJ in Denmark and EPH in Germany who were already well established in their own markets and also that we had a dedicated supplier in the part owned factory in Qingdao, China.

 

What were your visions in 2008 and how have you met them or even surpassed them?

I had already worked in the greenhouse industry for a number of years, mostly in export markets, so the UK was a new area for me. We have worked hard over the last ten years to become a significant supplier to both the UK and other European markets.

 

In what different ways have you grown Vitavia over the past 10 years?

The trading environment has changed dramatically over the last ten years, with the emergence of the internet and web retailing. Over 90% of our business now involves home deliveries and our logistics team has had to adapt accordingly. Our marketing strategies have also had to adapt to the arrival of Google and google ads, facebook & twitter.

 

What do you see as the biggest accomplishments since your start in 2008?

I guess just making it to our 10th Anniversary is commendable these days and having Robbie, John & Andrea join Gay & I in this growing business.

 

The full interview can be found by clicking here

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