Chairman Jonathan Halford, who led the buy-out, says the new management structure, backed by private equity investor Rutland Partners, which owns Pizza Hut, Bernard Matthews and Maplin, gives the company a stability it has not had since 2007.

Headline news at Glee will be the introduction of a stock availability guarantee, made possible by an extra £5 million secured from the new backers for the purchase of additional stock.

Buyers at Glee will see evidence of the huge strides Gardman has made since the launch of its brand development strategy two years ago. This centres on four categories – core gardening, garden living, wild bird care & wildlife, and pet – with footfall-building promotions and quality products that encourage consumers to trade up.

Halford intends to recruit a new CEO to replace Stewart Hainsworth, who left in the spring. This move will complete a management team that already includes, Jason Richardson and Lolly Lee (Sales), Tim Goff and Henry Corbett (Category), Rebecca Griffiths (Marketing), Scott Kilshaw (Supply Chain) and Mark Little (Finance). Several senior managers have invested in the new business.

To help future growth, Gardman will be on the look-out for complementary businesses. Halford says Rutland Partners has substantial funds available for appropriate acquisitions.

Gardman at Glee: hall 19, stand E31-G31.

Despite interest in the business from new investors, Thompson & Morgan CEO Bryan Magrath says its business as usual.

He commented: “It’s flattering to be considered an attractive target for investment but we remain focussed on our plans for the autumn season and won’t be distracted.”

It was announced this week that an improved performance and revitalised profitability have attracted a number of potential suitors towards the UK’s largest mail-order garden seed and plant company.

Current owner, Primary Capital, the growth company investor, has been approached by a number of interested parties and is now considering options for the future of the business.

Founded in 1855, turnover at Thompson & Morgan has more than doubled since the company was bought by Primary Capital. In recent years the company has consolidated its market leading position, with e-commerce revenue being over twice that of its nearest competitor. May 2015 alone saw 1.7 million visits to the award winning website, marking the best ever start to the spring season for the online specialists.

The improved performance of the past 12 months has been driven by a major focus on operational efficiency and exciting new product developments including the launch of Incredibloom® fertiliser, Incredicompost® and a new range of Van Meuwen branded seeds.

Thompson & Morgan has also made four key brand acquisitions in recent years (Van Meuwen, Rainbow Flowers & Gifts, The Vernon Geranium Nursery and Chempak Fertilisers) assisting in broadening the product and brand portfolio.

• Garden Products - static 0%
• Veg-2-Gro Products - up 29%
• Growing Media - up 34%
• All Items Index - up 12 %

Wyevale Garden Centres has appointed supply chain solutions provider RELEX, to streamline key parts of the business.

Wyevale began reviewing supply chain providers following substantial growth, and increased market position. RELEX, who won the business in competition with 10 other providers, will address key issues ranging from forecasting to promotions and stock replenishment.

Wyevale’s two product groups, general merchandise and horticultural products, include short-shelf life and rationed products. Both supply chains are managed manually and are highly pressurised environments, with many supplier constraints, rules and limited availability. Working with RELEX, Wyevale will begin to transition towards automating and improving these processes for higher sales and increased profitability.

Dan Zinner, trading director at Wyevale, said that with RELEX’s help, the company expected to see better forecasting, increased availability, reduced wastage and a more streamlined business process. . “The system will help us to better prepare for promotions and high demand periods such as Mother’s Day and Easter, ensuring we have the right product, at the right place, at the right time,” he added.

Mikko Kärkkäinen, group CEO at RELEX Solutions, said: “We understand the complexities companies like Wyevale Garden Centres face and have equipped them with the supply chain solution needed to enable operational efficiency, improved profitability and above all greater customer satisfaction.”

RELEX and WGC expect to go live with a pilot in September and fully roll out the system in the New Year.

Information: www.relexsolutions.com

The Norfolk based manufacturer of raw and natural meals for dogs and cats have seen significant growth and interest from the garden centre sector in the past 18 months and are looking forward to showcasing their award winning range to new buyers at the event.

Marketing Manager Emily Cannon comments: “We’ve seen a huge rise in sales over recent months from garden centre’s that have invested in specialist in-store pet sections.

"Our figures, and feedback from garden retailers we’ve already developed strong working relationships with, suggest that consumer interest in, and demand for, high quality natural pet foods is at an all-time high.

"It felt like the perfect time to exhibit at Glee, it’s still relatively new territory for us so we’re really looking forward to getting to understand the needs of buyers and garden retailers."

On show are Natures Menu’s new naturally nutritious Country Hunter pouches for dogs and cats which are grain free and made with ethically sourced human grade meats and wholesome ingredients, there are single protein dog pouches, made with 80% real meat and wholesome fruit and veg, and 96% real meat cat pouches.

They will also be showcasing their new freezer POS units which aim to impress. These units utilise space, educate through simple messaging and aim to impress customers as well as improve the natural feeding sector of your store.

Visitors to the Natures Menu stand 17P65 will be given the chance to enter a 'Win a freezer + stock competition worth over £1,000'.

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is calling on gardeners to help it learn more about a new insect that is attacking agapanthus plants.

The pest, which the RHS has named ‘agapanthus gall midge’, can cause deformity and discolouration of the flower buds of the plant, and in some cases cause the flower bud to fail to open. The severity can range from a couple of buds failing to the collapse of the entire flowerhead.

The tiny midge lays eggs that develop into maggots inside the individual flower buds or inside the closed flowerheads as they are developing. Infestation can be confirmed by the presence of small maggots, 1–3mm in length, which are a creamy yellow colour.

The RHS was the first organisation to detect the presence of agapanthus gall midge, in Surrey in 2014, through the RHS Gardening Advice service. This midge is established in other parts of southern England and is believed to have been present in the UK for at least two years.

A midge attacking Agapanthus has not previously been described in the UK or abroad, consequently, very little is known about the biology and life cycle of this insect.

RHS scientists anticipate that, by enlisting the help of gardeners, they can acquire more samples of affected agapanthus to help them learn more about how to combat the pest effectively.

The RHS is asking for samples of agapanthus flowerheads that may be affected by agapanthus gall midge to be sent to its science team in sealed containers. Photographs of suspect plants will also prove hugely valuable to the team leading the research into this midge.

RHS Entomologist Dr Hayley Jones says  the presence of agapanthus gall midge has been  confirmed at several locations across the country, so the need to learn more about the life cycle of the insect in order to combat its effects is increasing.

“We really hope that UK gardeners, who are often the first to spot new pests and diseases, join forces with us, Defra and international experts to increase our knowledge of this new and potentially destructive threat to agapanthus.”

Samples should be sent to: Entomology, RHS Garden Wisley, Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB. Images, with location information (particularly postcode) that will help the RHS map how widespread agapanthus gall midge is in the UK, can be sent to: advisory_entomology@rhs.org.uk

For more information, visit the RHS website: https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=901

One of the north of England’s leading garden centres, with operations in Todmorden and Rochdale, is celebrating its 70th anniversary this month.

Gordon Rigg Garden Centres currently employs a 190-strong team across the two centres and their adjoining restaurants as well as The Bottoms Mill Shop & Cotton Weavers Café in Walsden, Todmorden.  Last year the company’s turnover hit £10million. 

The business was founded by the late Gordon Rigg when he was just 26 years old.  He had worked for several vegetable and floristry firms in Halifax and in August 1945, the opportunity arose to take over a quarter-acre smallholding close to his home in Walsden.  However he had to raise £150, which was a fortune to Gordon in those days, to pay for two greenhouses and several cabins and sheds that occupied the site.  Gordon persuaded former employer Willie Shoesmith, who ran J W Shoesmiths Market Gardeners in Halifax, to lend him the money despite being sacked by the company a few weeks earlier for trade union activity!

Gordon grew and sold plants on the site and would cycle round the area selling them door to door.  He then opened a stall in Todmorden market which quickly grew into the town’s busiest greengrocers and florists. 

In 1965 Gordon acquired five acres of land next to the smallholding and gradually developed the site into more than 60,000 square feet of retail space selling everything from indoor and outdoor plants through to garden tools, pet care products, floristry and gifts.  The company acquired its second garden centre in 1988 on Rochdale’s Kingsway and opened Bottoms Mill Shop & Cotton Weavers Café in Walsden in 2002. Gordon passed away in 2004 and the company is now owned and managed by his son Peter Rigg, his wife Pauline and their children Anthony and Fiona.  It was recently voted the North of England’s best garden centre by Which? Magazine.

Peter explains: “After 70 years it’s fantastic that Gordon Rigg continues to thrive as a business and we are still very much a family run firm that is built on the same values that formed the company’s foundations back in 1945. 

 “The industry has changed hugely over the years with the introduction of modern packaging making plant buying much easier and more convenient.  The demise of garden greenhouses also means customers generally prefer to buy fully grown plants, complete with flowers, rather than nurturing and growing plants themselves.  However, our Walsden site still operates an extensive traditional nursery, where we grow tens of thousands of plants every year, which sets us apart from many of our competitors and means we can cater for all requirements.”

Peter adds: “Today customers come from all over the North of England and keen gardeners will travel from across the UK to visit us.  People are continually surprised by our vast product range and the size of our garden centres.  This is particularly true at Walsden which covers a huge floorplan and often people can spend up to half a day with us shopping and enjoying lunch in our café. 

The catering side of the business is continually growing and this was enhanced greatly when a highly successful bistro was opened at the Rochdale centre.  “

The business is currently investing heavily in its online presence.  “We’ve recently launched our fully redeveloped mobile friendly e-commerce site that we’re continually developing and this has the potential to become another big growth area for us over the next couple of years which is hugely exciting,” Peter said.   

Pictured (left to right): Anthony Rigg, Daniel Rigg, Peter Rigg, standee of Gordon Rigg, Pauline Rigg, Olivia Rigg, Jon Roberts and Fiona Roberts.

The Greatest Outdoor Living Categories

• The Greatest BBQ Sales Team of the Year
• The Greatest Garden Decoration and Lighting Sales Team of the Year
• The Greatest Inspiration for New Gardeners Team – Love The Plot You've Got Award
• The Greatest Outdoor Leisure Sales Team of the Year

The Greatest Garden Centre Team Awards Categories

• The Greatest Garden Care Retail Team of the Year
• The Greatest Garden Centre Customer Service Team of the Year
• The Greatest Garden Centre Training Team or Initiative of the Year, sponsored by MorePeople
• The Greatest Garden Centre Merchandising Team of the Year
• The Greatest Gardening Supplier of the Year
• The Greatest Garden Centre of the Year (Public Vote), sponsored by National Garden Gift Vouchers

As usual The Greatest Awards team of experts will be out and about meeting nominated teams, gathering information and taking photos of their work so that the Gold, Silver and Bronze Greatest Awards winners can be chosen.

Plus your team have the chance to become The Greatest Garden Centre Team of 2015 by involving your customers in the public voting later this summer.  The Greatest Garden Centre Teams, small, medium and large will be the teams that have the best relationships with their customers and generate the most votes (taking size of centre into account) and in the event of a tie, the centre with the most complimentary comments form their customers.  To take part in the public vote please e-mail trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or call The Greatest Awards on 01733 775700 to request an in store voting pack.

As this issue of GTN Xtra goes to press the expert judges are meeting to decide the winners of The Greatest Outdoor Living Retail Team Awards in advance of The National Plant Show.  Make sure your Garden Care and Garden Centre teams are nominated for visits later in August and September.

The Greatest Awards would like to thank sponsors, Elho, National Garden Gift Vouchers, MorePeople and The HTA plus the event organisers at The HTA Catering Conference, National Plant Show, GIMA Awards spoga+gafa and HTA Futures for agreeing to be presentation venues for The Greatest Awards ON TOUR 2015. 

Sponsorship opportunities are available for product and service suppliers seeking to gain the highest possible exposure between now and November this year.  Please contact mandy.atkin@tgcmc.co.uk for details.

The South West Growers Show will be staged on Wednesday 7 October at The Matford Centre in Exeter, Devon, the organisers announced this week.

The show, now in its 42^nd year, is aimed at growers and plant buyers ranging from garden centres and retail outlets to local authorities and the landscaping industry. It brings together key growers and suppliers of specialist horticultural equipment and services.

David Jackson, chairman of the show, said: “As a group of growers this is now our seventh year of running the show and we are really pleased that it continues to grow year on year. From the comments we have received from our exhibitors, we realise that these regional shows are becoming ever more important as a good, cost effective way to have face to face time with the customer especially here in the South West”. 

 “This year, we are pleased to be welcoming back Container Centralen with the trolley damage exchange service and also members of the International Plant Propagators Society European Region, who will be beginning their annual conference at the show”.

With more than 50 exhibitors already booked, the organisers are encouraging people to contact them as soon as possible to reserve their space.  Costs are £52.50 per sq. for space only or £73.50 for the shell scheme

The  committee comprises David Jackson (Jackson & Son), Mark Taylor (Kernock Park Plants),  Adam Powell and Andrew Spilsbury (Talaton Plants), Les Lane (XL Horticulture) and Samantha Wallis and Bill Finch (WeeTree Wholesale Nurseries).

David said the free-to-visit trade-only show provided the ideal venue to meet key growers and horticultural suppliers as well as sourcing the latest plant introductions and products. He said more than 90% of attendees purchased or placed orders.

Information www.swgs.co.uk or call 01404 821982.
Above: Melcourt won the Best New Product Award at the 2014 show.

Click here to read Issue 1 of the Glee Daily News 2015:  http://gleedailynews.newsweaver.com/Gleeedailynews/xd2n5gqg7ka

There will be more preview issues of The Glee Daily News this year, plus three "Live" from the show issues, and an Omnibus issue after Glee.

REMEMBER TO COLLECT YOUR FREE GLEE SHOW CATALOGUE AT THE ENTRANCES WHEN YOU VISIT GLEE

Plantarea Manager | Buckinghamshire | Independent (ref:BP7573) 

Location: Buckinghamshire
Salary: £18,000 to £22,000
Date: 10 Aug
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent

Plantarea Manager 

The Business 

I am working with a beautiful independent garden centre based in the heart of Buckinghamshire. Situated in an affluent area the centre is established as a local brand name and has a well established horticultural offering. 

The Role 

This role will take the lead and be responsible for the plant range on the site. You will have full buying and merchandising responsibility for the department. Man management will be a keen skill and driving your small team in peak periods will allow you to get the most of this plant area. 

The Person 

I am seeking a passionate and enthusiastic horticulturalist who has a real panache for retailing plants.

You will be driven to sell and will know how to create sales through effective ranging around seasonality and creative and unique merchandising. 

Please submit your CV in the first instance, or to discuss further contact Brad Peck at MorePeople on 01780 480530

Commercial Amenity | Landscape Sales Estimator (ref:DS7574) 

Location: Lincolnshire
Salary: Competitive rates of pay depending on skills and experience
Date: 05 Aug
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent

Commercial Sales Estimator 

The Business 

Due to continued growth this family run wholesale nursery business is looking to recruit an experienced Full-time Sales Estimator to join their small, yet busy commercial team. This important role needs the estimator to focus on customer service and work closely with Landscapers, Amenity Contractors and designers. 

The Role 

The Sales Estimator will be responsible for generating accurate estimations quotations / tenders, following up tender documents and closely liaising with the client base.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Analyse tender documentation and prepare costs for the client
• Adhering to tight deadlines
• Understand client requirements and discuss cost estimates with the ability to offer alternatives for the benefit of both client and employer
• Assisting the Commercial Sales Manager with duties
• Identifying and introducing potential new clients
• Assist the Sales Team with Technical Enquiries. 

Location:Near Lincoln 

Salary: Competitive rates of pay depending on skills and experience 

Weekly Hours: Full time position approx. 39 hrs. per week. (Summer and Winter hours slightly differ) Monday - Friday 

The Person 

Qualifications: Good all-round knowledge of Microsoft packages is essential. Time management, task prioritisation and organisational skills are required as well as being able to work under pressure and on your own. Knowledge of Horticulture is essential, and being able to understand drawings and Specifications would be beneficial. 

Please submit your CV in the first instance or to discuss further contact Dianne Saunders at MorePeople on 07929013910

Plant Area Manager | Warwickshire | Large Destination Site (ref:BP7555) 

Location: Warwickshire
Salary: £26,000 to £28,000
Date: 29 Jul
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent

Plant Area Manager 

The Company 

This client is a well-established and forward thinking industry name. A large garden centre group that has focussed on improving retail practices and standards to be the best in the industry. They look for the best people from the retail and the horticulture sectors and train them through their in house training programmes to develop strong teams throughout their centres. 

The Role 

The centre is a large destination centre that, as part of a big group, is well known for its location and appeal. The role will be responsible for one of the largest departments in the centre. The planteria manager looks after the day to day maintenance of the plant stock as well as motivating their team to provide the highest standard of customer service. The role will also have duty management responsibility across the entire centre. 

The Person 

The successful candidate will have a broad knowledge of horticulture and garden retailing, possess good commercial acumen, be capable of analysing and interpreting business data, able to demonstrate effective leadership qualities and be capable of motivating and managing a team. Experience in a similar role previously is essential to success as this is a role with a great deal of management responsibility. 

Please submit your CV in the first instance or to discuss further contact Brad Peck at MorePeople on 01780 480530

Office Based Amenity Sales Person (ref:DS7569) 

Location: Nottinghamshire
Salary: £25,000 to £30,000
Date: 05 Aug
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent

Office Based Amenity Sales Person 

The Business 

Our client is a well-established family run Amenity Wholesale Nursery and Cash and Carry who are looking for an office based Sales Account Manager to join their Nottinghamshire based sales team. 

Reporting To: The Sales Manager 

They will be responsible For: Sales/Customer Contacts 

The Role 

• The Overall Aim is to maintain, sell and develop the company's products to the selected customer base.
• To produce estimates in an accurate, timely and efficient manner. 

Tasks:

• Establish and maintain contacts throughout the year with existing customers and initiate new customer contacts.
• Sell the Company's products to actual and prospective customers, and develop new markets.
• Ensure that the Sales Manager is aware of developments and pricing levels within the industry.
• Ensure that the Sales Manager is aware of forthcoming and current tenders within the industry.
• Ensure that incoming customers' orders are processed and acknowledge within the target timescales.
• Assist in the preparation of the Stock Availability List.
• Learn and stay abreast of changes in the computerised stock control and order processing system and have the ability to input sales orders onto the system.
• Liaise regularly with the Buyer to ensure that correct, current prices are applied to estimates.
• Produce estimates in an accurate, timely and efficient manner.
• Ensure that all estimates are correctly authorised before they are returned to the prospective customer.
• Attend and conduct promotional activities as designated by the Sales Manager.
• Undertake other duties as may be determined from time to time by the Directors. 

The Person 

The Ideal candidate will have:

• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
• Have a proven aptitude for sales
• Excellent plant knowledge
• Good IT skills
• Enthusiasm and drive to help build sales and forge excellent customer relations 

Please submit your CV in the first instance or to discuss further contact Dianne Saunders at MorePeople on 07929013910

Gardman said yesterday that their garden centre channel sales director, Steve Harper, had left the business by mutual agreement.

In a statement, the company said: ”It is with regret that Steve Harper's appointment as CGI Sales Director at Gardman has not worked out within the business. The company has no plans to re-recruit for this position and instead, responsibilities of the role will now fall to other senior members of Gardman's much experienced and talented team.”

• STV International Bug Bat rises into the top 10 at No 9.
• The highest climber is Westland Organic Chicken Manure Pellets, jumping 31 places to No 18.
• Growth Technology is the highest re-entry with Orchid Pot Clear.
• Woodlodge Square Tree Stake is the highest new entry.

• Simon Jack, business and economics presenter for Radio 4’s Today Programme
• Dennis Reid, from Retail Performance Specialists
• Echo Lu, Managing Director of Homebase
• David Domoney, TV gardener and broadcaster
• Chris Collins, landscaper and former Blue Peter gardener
• Simon Davies, Group Marketing Director for Hozelock
• Barry Page, CEO for Town & Country

• Romanesco Cauliflower jumped 26 places to top spot, and also took the highest climber prize.
• There were four Taylor Autumn Planting Seed Potato varieties in the Top 10. They were Charlotte, Maris Peer, Duke of York and Aaron Pilot.
• The highest re-entry was Thompson & Morgan Broad Bean Aquadulce Claudia at No 22.
• Another re-entry was Quantil Radish at No 25.

The organisers of Glee have released the shortlist for their inaugural Glee Buyers Power List on Friday last week.

The list aims to recognise individual buyers and buying teams who have gone above and beyond to make a difference within the garden retail industry this year.

The shortlist contains the top nominations in each of the five categories, representing the leading 50-plus buyers and buying teams across the country. The industry can now cast their votes for their top three buyers or teams in each category. Individual category winners and a ‘winner of winners’ will be announced during a special Buyers Power List ceremony at Glee on Tuesday 15 September.

Voting closes on 28 August. To vote, log on using this link. Voting is open to everyone in the industry.

The Shortlist

Best Online Garden Retail Buying Team

• Achica
• Amazon
• Crocus
• Greenfingers.com
• Halls Garden Centre/gardensite.co.uk
• Ideal World
• Primrose
• QVC
• Shop Direct  
• Ocado

Best Multiple Garden Centre Buying Team

• Blue Diamond
• British Garden Centres
• Dobbies
• Hillier Nurseries & Garden Centres
• Hillview Garden Centre
• Klondyke
• Notcutts
• Otter Nurseries
• SCATS Country Stores
• Squires GC
• Thompsons Plant and Garden Centre
• Wyevale Garden Centres

Best Independent Garden Retail Buying Team

• Avant Garden Centre
• Ayletts Nurseries
• Barton Grange
• Bents
• Burford Garden Centre 
• Capital Gardens
• Chessington Garden Centre
• Frosts
• Garsons
• Haskins
• Perrywood GC
• Polhill Garden Centre
• Scotsdales
• Summer Hill Garden Centre
• Webbs

Best DIY/Builder Merchant Buying Team

• B&Q
• Homebase
• Jewson
• Ridgeons
• Stax Trade Centres
• Wickes 

Best ‘Other’ Garden Retailer Buyer Team

• Aldi
• Argos
• Home Bargains (T J Morris)
• House of Fraser
• John Lewis
• Lakeland
• M&S
• Morrisons
• Next
• Robert Dyas
• The Range
• Waitrose

Glee event director Matthew Mein said: “The response from the whole industry has been fantastic, with nominations coming in thick and fast. The shortlist showcases the hard work and commitment that each retail buyer or team has undertaken in the last 12 months, and we’re so pleased to be able to provide a platform on which this dedication can be celebrated and rewarded.”

• Scotts Levington Multipurpose + John Innes (56 litres) retains the No 1 spot for another week.
• GroWise Multipurpose with John Innes (56 litres) is the highest climber, jumping 25 places to No 7.
• Scotts Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Compost (56 litres) is the highest re-entry at No 21.

Glee 2015 is nearly sold out, with limited space available this is your last opportunity to book space at this year’s event.  With over 7,000 visitors expected, this is the best platform to showcase your products or services to the garden industry!

Contact Matthew Mein, Glee Event Director on +44 (0) 203 033 2160 or by e-mail: matthew.mein@i2ieventsgroup.com to book your stand today.

Every week GTN receives and analyses epos data from a number of UK garden centres to produce the GTN Bestsellers charts and weekly bestsellers sales tips.

The full charts which provide useful insight into product sales peaks, new trends and new link sales opportunities are published in the weekly GTN Xtra printed newsletter.

As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2013 as well as 2014 to allow your teams to see variations over a three year period.

Access is by subscription only.  For £145.00 per year you and your team can have access to the most up-to-date gardening sales analysis that has already helped many UK garden centres increase their sales.  To subscribe call 01733 775700, e-mail karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or buy on-line using this link.

Highlights of the GTN Garden Products Bestsellers chart for last week are here

Highlights of the GTN Veg-2-Gro Products Bestsellers chart for last week are here

Highlights of the GTN Growing Media Bestsellers chart for last week are here

WARNING the GTN Bestsellers Charts seriously improve the business of our subscribers.  Invest 15 minutes each week in improving your sales using the GTN Bestsellers charts and your turnover and customer satisfaction will improve too.