Smart Garden Products Ltd increased sales by 35% to £14.6m in 2014 (£10.8m in 2013) while a loss of £645k was made, compared with a profit of £244k the year before.

The directors say the loss is in line with the business plan adopted following the acquisition of a majority stake by Paris Natar in 2013.

“We are building a substantial business that necessitates a short term loss of profitability while we invest in the required team and infrastructure, including a new Head Office in Abingdon and Distribution Hub in Corby. This year (2015) will see another giant leap in sales coupled with further planned losses. We now have the required platform to deliver profitable sales growth in 2016 and beyond,” said MD Jonathan Stobart.

Paris Natar added: “The past 2 ½ years have been exciting and rewarding in equal measure as we have transformed the business into a major garden industry supplier. Our team and our customers have all been amazing which has helped us to make the journey an incredibly smooth one. We are looking forward to 2016, full of optimism and determination to be the best at what we do.”