Vitax Limited, one of the UK’s leading garden and horticulture manufacturers, has extended its organic product range by purchasing Organico Limited for an undisclosed sum.
Based in Somerset, Organico is best-known for manufacturing the popular 6x, 100% natural fertiliser and pellets as well as the Groworganic brand widely used on allotments and by growers.
A favourite amongst gardeners who prefer sustainable and organic gardening methods, the acquisition of Organico forms part of Vitax’s strategy to introduce more natural products into its existing portfolio.
Produced in the UK for over 40 years, 6x is a traditional chicken fertiliser and billed as ‘The best thing on Earth’. It contains no peat or chemicals, is odourless and oven heated to over 200o resulting in a weed and pathogen free fertiliser. Once composted, one bag of 6x is equivalent to six sacks of farm manure.
Although Vitax purchased the complete share capital of the business it will continue to work with Roger Cumisky and his team as it grows the business.
Paul Gooding, managing director at Vitax, says: “6x is the premier natural fertiliser brand in the UK and it will play a large part in our plans for 2015 and beyond.
“It is very rare that an opportunity arises to purchase such an established and well-regarded brand which has such growth potential. The 6x brand is already a market-leader so we have no plans to re-brand it or bring it into one of our existing ranges. We will however be utilising the reach of our sales team to make it more universally available at Garden Centres throughout the UK and overseas.
“Following the purchase of Slug Gone in 2012 we have been on the lookout for complementary organic products whilst also developing our own. The launch of the biodegradable range in 2013 further consolidated our commitment to developing more sustainable and organic products.
“Although it is a very simple concept, 6x has been imitated but never been equalled. We are delighted it is now part of Vitax’s portfolio.”
6x will continue to be manufactured in Somerset where it purchases the bulk of it chicken waste, sourced from farms within a 50 mile radius.
This commitment to the local economy was just one consideration in its sale to Vitax as Roger Cumisky, managing director at Organico, explains: “For the past 40 years we have been developing a range of products which are not only sustainable and organic but utilises waste from local farmers, so it was important we kept that continuity and investment in the surrounding communities.
“Over the years we have been approached by many buyers but Vitax echoed our values and has a great heritage behind it. It is well-known for its range of products and we wanted to ensure the business continued to grow with a manufacturer which understood our vision.
“As a family-owned business, we know the 6x brand and Groworganic name will continue to flourish under Vitax and we are excited to be still part of it.”
The 6x range will still be available through garden centres and mail order.
W: www.vitax.co.uk / www.6-x.co.uk
T: 01530 510060
E: marketing@vitax.co.uk
