The team at Woodlodge Products are celebrating this week after being presented with the GCA’s 2020 Associate of the Year Award
Members were asked to vote for the supplier, a GCA Associate member, which had done the most for their business and the industry through support, service and innovation last year.
Woodlodge Products’ Director, Michael Wooldridge says: “We are delighted to have been awarded the GCA Associate of the Year, which symbolises our commitment to providing a high level of personal service to all our customers. It is great to be recognised in this achievement!
“Despite the many challenges that the pandemic has brought us, last year was an amazing year, which took us all by surprise. The commitment and enthusiasm from everyone at Woodlodge meant that we pulled through and this award is testament to the continued hard work, passion and dedication of the team.
“2021 has brought new challenges with production stretched to meet the huge demand. We’ve implemented a stock allocation system, so that stock is distributed fairly to our garden centre customers nationwide. We would like to thank our customers for their ongoing support through what looks to be another extraordinary year.”
The GCA normally announces the winner of the Associate of the Year Award at its annual conference in January but was unable, understandably, to host the event this year.
Iain Wylie, Chief Executive of the GCA, explains: “It’s wonderful to once again be presenting this award to such a worthy winner. Woodlodge are consistently highly rated by our members, are very well respected in the sector and are worthy winners.
“We usually announce the recipient at our annual Conference in January, and they are presented with the Haskins Stewarts Cup, but, of course, this year we haven’t been able to hold it as normal. However, we still wanted to make this award and waited until it was safe to do so. Will Blake, GCA Executive Committee member, travelled to Woodlodge to make the presentation this week.
“The award idea was initiated originally by two well-known industry members Martin Stewart and Warren Haskins, who were lifelong friends, local business competitors and longstanding GCA members, as well as past Chairmen. They gave us the Cup to present, which is returned and given each year to the new winner. The winner also receives a glass plaque to keep.
“Five other companies have been recognised for their hard work in supporting garden centres too. We’re delighted to present ‘Highly Commended’ awards to Gisela Graham Ltd, Melcourt Industries Ltd, Smart Garden Products Ltd, The Farplants Group and Allensmore Nurseries Ltd.
“Members voted in record numbers and there were many popular choices, so this year, given the particularly difficult circumstances in which our Associate Members have been operating, we felt it was right to recognise them.
“We would like to extend our hearty congratulations to them and to thank them for their ongoing contribution to our industry.”
The GCA represents nearly 200 garden centres nationwide.
Through sharing information and its inspection programme the GCA helps members to achieve high standards in customer service, plant quality and reliability.
For further information, please call 01244 952170. Alternatively, please visit www.gca.org.uk, log on to www.facebook.com/pages/GardenCentreAssociation or follow the organisation on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GC_Association.
