With just a week to go before Glee 2014 opens its doors, more than 500 exhibitors have now signed for the show, which will occupy at least 20 per cent more space than last year. Only four stands remained unsold as this issue of Glee Daily News was finalised.

New exhibitors confirming during the past few weeks include big-name lighting suppliers Philips and Easy Connect.

A three-year deal signed this week with the HTA, pledging the association’s continuing support, was taken as another signal that Glee, with its new look and new NEC location, is at the dawn of a new era long term

“The expertise that they, as an association, can bring to the show is invaluable and will help us to further develop Glee’s role as the key annual event for the garden industry,” said Glee’s event director Matthew Mein.  “Glee has gone through a number of changes ahead of the 2014 show, and having the HTA’s ongoing support has been vital in many aspects of this development. I believe having the HTA by our side for the next three years will enable us to further strengthen Glee’s long-term future as the unrivalled annual platform for the garden industry to meet, do business, share retailing best practice and address the key issues that are facing us all.”

HTA chief executive Carol Paris said Glee remained the foremost UK trade event for manufacturers and suppliers of garden goods and equipment. “As such we felt it was vital to ensure that the HTA and its members maintains a close working relationship with the show. I look forward to working with the team over the coming years, to build a bigger, brighter future for Glee and our members.”

Among the new initiatives this year is the keenly-anticipated Green Heart of Glee feature of nursery displays – many of them by HTA members – in the Atrium.

Mein said the re-booking levels for the 2015 were another cause for optimism – as are this year’s pre-registrations. Mein says the Garden Centre Association is strongly represented. Among the big name retailers registering to visit so far are:

Tesco

Senco

Travis Perkins

Homebase

Home Retail Group

The Range

Robert Dyas

Amazon

Jewsons

Selco

Next

Wilko

Waitrose

B&Q 

With catering and food sales continuing to offer major add-on profit opportunities for garden centres, Glee will be offering retailers extensive inspiration at a more prominent Food & Catering Zone this year...

Sponsored by Catering Design Group and Blue Cap Coffee (Lavazza), this area gives garden retailers an unrivalled opportunity to gather best practice examples, advice, contacts and products to help them initiate or improve their catering offering.

Now in its third year, the Food & Catering Zone will be bigger than ever, and will be a rich resource for retailers wanting to expand their catering facilities.  In addition to the wide range of catering services, confectionary, kitchen equipment, kitchenware and café/restaurant design consultancy specialists that have made their home in this dedicated area in recent years, retailers will also find additional inspiration within the newly introduced Farmers Market.  Home to artisan suppliers, the Farmers Market display with everything from locally sourced brands to specialist produce as well as food and drinks from an mix of catering innovators.

The Food & Catering Zone will also address key issues in its workshop programme.  Topics include seasonal events and marketing strategies to attract customers year-round, how garden centres can win the coffee shop ‘wars’, attracting younger customers to your on-site catering, supply chain efficiency and much more. Speakers will include Helen MacDonald, owner of Merryhatton Garden Centre; Iain Wylie, chief executive of The Garden Centre Association; Tracey Fletcher, owner of Kitchen Garden; Will Armitage, MD of Armitages Garden and Home; Helen Pyttlik, garden centre manager, Bicester Avenue Garden Centre; and John Williams, director of Blue Cap Coffee.

Key exhibitor brands to look out for include Cafeology, Belvoir Fruit Farms, GMS Expresso, Vision Commercial Kitchens, Bon Bon (Wholesale) Ltd, English Garden Tea, eXpresso Plus, Horti Catering Equipment, Moonshine Drinks, NBTY Europe, The Victorian Kitchen, Tudor Tea & Coffee and UCC Coffee.

Phillip Howard, MD of Catering Design Group, one of the area’s 2014 sponsors, said: “We’ll be bringing along our great team of experts across design, kitchen planning and project management to give visitors advice and answer any questions they may have. We’ll also be sharing an abundance of hints, tips, trends and insights to enable visitors to create a destination catering space.”

i2i’s Matthew Mein, Glee event manager said this year’s Food & Catering Zone was set to be the best yet.  “The area will not only be bigger and packed full of even more exhibitors than ever before, but with the guidance of our new sponsors and with the hugely valuable feedback of the recent Food & Catering Steering Group, we have been able to develop a programme that is as targeted and hard working as possible. I very much looking forward to seeing this area come to life.”

Johnsons Lawn Seed (hall 18, H26-K25) are promising Glee visitors two “hugely exciting innovations”.

The new products are unique to the company and to the garden retail industry, both representing a profit opportunity for retailers.

Full details are (as always) being kept under wraps until the doors open, but Guy Jenkins of Johnsons Lawn Seed has revealed some details about what you can expect to see from the company later this year.  He said: “We’re extremely excited about the products that we’ve added to our offering ahead of the 2015 season.  Last year we used Glee to showcase something different, and since then we’ve been collecting awards and accolades from a wide range of industry bodies.  This year we’ll be building on this positivity by launching two new products, both of which address common lawn complaints, and do so in the most innovative yet simple ways.”

One clue to the characteristic of one of the new products will be the presence of a Formula One racing car on the stand.  Those with a need for speed can jump into the car and race around the Monaco Grand Prix track via the inbuilt video game. The fastest lap each day will earn its driver a special prize.

In addition to the new products, Glee will also be used to showcase the company’s market leading lawn seed products.  From Luxury Lawn and Tuffgrass, to Quick Lawn and AnyTime, Johnsons Lawn Seeds offers a mix for every type of lawn.  The Adam Henson range of conservation and wild flower mixtures will also be available to view, as will the ever popular Grass Graffiti.

Jenkins added: “Our offering has been designed to make it even easier for retailers to maximise year-round sales.  Our lawn seed mixtures have been designed to meet the varying needs of the consumer – from shady lawns to seed that can be sown when temperatures are just +3°C, ideal for those hardy gardeners who want to get outside earlier in the season.  Each product is also supported by easily identifiable packaging, meaning consumers have absolute confidence that they have selected the right product for the job.  Complementary ranges such as the Adam Henson conservation mixes and Grass Graffiti, pull the entire portfolio together, opening up lawn seed products to gifting and outdoor leisure sales opportunities.”

To see the product innovations for yourself, join the company in Hall 18

Information about the company’s existing ranges can be found at www.johnsonslawnseed.com.

Glee sees the first joint exhibit – 150ft long – by Tildenet and Haxnicks since their parternship, announced in June (hall 20, stand L16).

The resulting comprehensive range of horticulture sundries promises a pipeline of new products, including a new-to-the market concept in garden structures from Tildenet which willwhich allow retailers to offer the option of an arch or a pergola (pictured above) in one very simple and easy POS unit 

The increasingly popular Mainframe simple modular system, another brand new to the Tildenet Group, will be on display, offering the ultimate in crop protection, flexibility. The unique and intriguing Haxnicks 'Sunbubble' (pictured below) offers a portable way of extending the growing season to complement their popular range of cloches and growing systems.

Tildenet MD Andrew Downey promises “a whole bowlful” of creative new design from Haxnicks and Tildenet to inspire gardeners. New-look packaging and display will also feature in next year’s active marketing programme,

The new packaging design, plus stylish, streamline new display systems and impactful new POS can be viewed on the stand

Look out for both Tildenet and Haxnicks in the New Product Awards.

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

Glee Daily News 2014 Media Rate Card

REMEMBER TO COLLECT YOUR FREE GLEE SHOW CATALOGUE AT THE ENTRANCES.

 Brushware and household cleaning product suppliers Charles Bentley & Son (hall 18, stand J53A) are to launch a premium range of garden tools and brushware at Glee. 

 The Masterclass range is the result of extensive research that showed garden enthusiasts wanted products to last and meet their demands. 

Produced using FSC certified wood with sealed timber stocks, the products are sustainable and long lasting. They feature a unique combination of natural and synthetic bristle fillings, as well as a unique double-locking bracket, ensuring extra durability and robustness.

Production in the UK ensuries control over quality.

Charles Bentley at Glee 2014. Stand 18J53A

Visitors to Glee will have the opportunity to enter a prize draw to win a full day’s design consultancy courtesy of Catering Design Group (hall 17,stand U26-V25).

Catering Design Group is one of the UK’s leading restaurant and commercial catering design companies, and the winner will enjoy a day with either a kitchen or interiors specialist, with a site survey, design layout and mood board included.

Catering Design Group’s principal Interior design consultant Abi Perry-Jones will be at Glee in the Food & Catering zone on September 14, sharing the latest design trends and giving advice on how to transform a café or restaurant space.

The following day, Red Mist managing director Mark Robson will be at the show offering advice on how to deliver a fresh, seasonal and local experience for customers.

Phillip Howard, managing director of Catering Deign Group said: “We’re delighted to be returning to Glee and will be bringing along our team of experts to give visitors advice and answer any questions they may have.”  

Visitors to the Forst Garden stand (hall 19, C10) will find extra value in a year that saw the manufacturer acquire M&M Timber and a win a POS accolade at the GIMA Awards.

There will be all-new summerhouses and additions to the contemporary sleeper bench collection launched to great acclaim last year. New log store and planter designs will also be on show for the first time.

Forest’s ‘Take Me to the Till’ merchandiser, which was judged ‘Best Point of Sale Material’  in the GIMA Awards, jhas been upgraded for 2015, allowing retailers to display summerhouses, arbours, pergolas, sheds and other garden timber products in a single attractive space saving merchandiser.

Forest have invested heavily in retail support services during the year and will demonstrate their greatly expanded library of digital assets.  How-to videos and other POS will be on the stand, to help retailers looking to educate their customers whilst reducing shop floor time.

Glee marks the first opportunity since the acquisition of M&M Timber to see how the incorporated company’s portfolio complements Forest’s existing ranges.  M&M Timber’s plant staging, merchandising, benches and tables will feature at the show, ensuring more choice and added value.

G Plants, suppliers of flower and vegetable seeds, bulbs, grass seed, and now garden ornaments and growing gifts, are gearing up for a busy Glee (hall 18, stand N11).

Additions to the Easy Gardening range, which covers seed discs and the popular Shake’n’Rake™ collection, include new seed blends that tap into the increasingly popular trend for attracting bees and butterflies to the garden.  In trials at Myerscough Horticultural College, Preston, the Wildlife’s Garden mixtures proved their ability to attract higher volumes of wildlife. A video screen on the stand will highlight the benefits.

G Plants are also to re-launch the Rooster organic fertiliser brand.  Additions will include Bulb Booster and Rooster Booster Mini-Crumb Lawn Fertiliser, as used by many top golf courses.

Glee will also see the launch of a new solar lighting collection called the ‘Secret Garden’, featuring fairies, birds and other woodland creations.

The bestselling Ultra Basket™ range will welcome two new seed varieties, whilst G Plants’ Bumper Packs will be re-launched in a new full-colour printed, reusable (PP) woven bag. Bumper Bags will now be available in Lily Oriental Mix, and Dahlia Collarette and Pompon Mix, ideal as Mother’s Day gifts.

There are four new varieties  of G Plants’ 6-in-1 seed multi-packs, bringing the total offering to 12 mixtures.  The additions include Easy Grow and Butterfly & Bee, whilst new vegetable seeds include Companion Planting and Patio Vegetables.

As exclusive UK distributors of the historic Italian seed brand Bavicchi, G Plants confirm that Glee will be the first opportunity to see the newly branded Bavicchi Italian Gourmet Vegetable, Pea and Bean seed packets, now available in a store-ready mixed display stand.

Information: 01254 202 897

Bowland Stone have broadened their aggregates range with a selection of horticultural products positioned as ‘Essentials’

They include sands and ballasts, aggregates, cementitious and pipe beddings designed to enable retailers to sell all the products the consumer needs to complete a garden feature. 

The horticultural range includes horticultural grade grit and sand, silver sand, bark and topsoil, all of which can be used to aerate general garden soil or for lining pots and containers to assist drainage. The products can be sold in bulk bags or large pacs, where the  SRP ranges from £3.99 to £4.49 per pack.

All Bowland’s products benefit from striking and helpful in-store displays.  Bold POS boards are colour coded to aid product selection.

Information: 0117 955 7530

www.bowlandstone.com.

The Garden Centre Association are taking a stand at Glee (hall 20, G38). GCA chairman Will Armitage (right) is hoping as many members as possible will drop by to catch up with fellow members.

“We are also looking forward to chatting to anyone who would like to find out more about the association and will have an information pack available for garden centres and suppliers interested in membership.”

Information: 0118 930 8918

La Hacienda (hall 17, stand V26) brought more than 135 new SKUs to market in 2013 and celebrate their 25th year in business this year with even more. They will also unveil an updated logo, refreshed packaging and a relaunched website.

Spearheading the Innovations will be the new Bakerstone Box, a product that has already achieved considerable success in the USA and Canada. Pizzeria quality pizza can be cooked in minutes using conductive, convective and radiant heat from a gas or charcoal grill.

Other new products include a colourful range of enamelled firepits, a traditional Mexican pizza oven, new decorative metal garden ornaments and additions to their range of mirrors and lanterns.

Visitors can also learn about a new use for a raw material that is allowing the company to manufacture firebowls weighing 50% less than similar looking stone or clay.

Glee will give retailers to see La Hacienda’s updated logo and packaging. Brand manager Jamie Cox says the idea is to keep things fresh without deviating too much from the trusted La Hacienda brand image. “We are at a stage where more and more people are finding out about us, noticing our point of difference in terms of craftsmanship and value for money, and with a new logo, website and packaging, we feel we can further reinforce these qualities,” he said.

There will be show-only deals for new and existing customers. Visitors are encouraged to ask on the stand sales for more information.

Nordic Garden Buildings (hall 20, C30-D31)have launched a range of three pagoda buildings, all making their debut at Glee.  They follow the 2013 success of buildings like the unique uPVC double glazed greenhouse and the award winning Melbourne Pavilion, which won the New Products ‘Retailers Choice Award’ at Glee 2013.

The pagodas – an octagonal panelled, ocatgonal open and square open – combine Scandinavian chic with low maintenance, value for money, and the appeal of flexible space. With a uPVC frame with internal steel reinforcement, the new buildings are much easier to maintain than traditional wood and aluminium.

Tested to the extremes of Scandinavian weather, Nordic’s garden buildings can withstand heavy snow loads and storm force winds and the polycarbonate roofs protect from strong sun.  Made in Wales, the pagodas are designed to be enjoyed all year round.

Retailers can secure exclusive territories within the Nordic Dealer Network, which benefits from dedicated account managers, online and offline direct marketing support, sales training and installation support as well as sales incentives

Information: 07717 710 062 or

justin@nordicgarden.co.uk

Following the 2013 launch of their colourful foldaway derivative, the VegTrug Poppy, Glee will see three new Poppy products. The Poppy two-tier and three-tier plus the Poppy greenhouse frame and covers make their debut (hall 17, stand Q30-R31).

They will be available in red, pale blue, lime green and purple as well as grey and black and build on the original Poppy concept of a felt liner in a foldable metal frame.

The VegTrug V-shaped design maximises cropping and ease of access. They are ideal for growing anything from herbs to strawberries to salads to root crops, including carrots. All Poppy products can be folded away out of season.

Retailers can also stock replacement felt liners for repeat sales opportunities, as well as the new Flower Poppy felt.

SRPs: two-tier £59.99, three-tier £89.99.

Veg Trug say the range has been extended because of the popularity of the original Poppy, which has a new SRP of £39.99.

Black Country Metal Works will take the wraps off their new fireside range at Glee.

They offer a  POS display that includes 56 items ranging from contemporary and traditional cast iron, brass and black iron in varying styles and designs to create a beautiful traditional feel or a more contemporary look.

For exclusivity, only 20 fireside collections are available. Each with a small footprint and high margin (approx. £3000), allowing stockists to differentiate their offer whileproviding high quality, value for money.

The fireside collection will be launched alongside Black Country Metal Works Retail Theatre 2015 range. Retail theatre is a current hot topic in the industry, so Black Country has worked closely with customers to develop ranges and displays that help garden centres to create their own retail theatre.

Meet the new team will be in hall 18, stand L60.

The Fireside collection is available for pre order at a trade price of £1,250.

Seed mat specialists BeeMat have announced two new ranges, both of which they will show at Glee (hall 19, stand H60).

EcoMat Companion Planting mats complement BeeMat’s existing pre-seeded, biodegradeable growing mats, which currently include BeeMat™, Butterfly Mat™ and Bird Mat. Using the proven companion planting approach, EcoMat features two salad varieties — Oriental and Mediterranean — and a vegetable mat, which includes carrots, sage and spring onions.  Each mat uses marigolds and other herbs as companion planting to deter aphid and slug damage.

Like the existing ranges, EcoMat range will be supported by informative point of sale.  Holding 108 mats and featuring a video screen, the display stand has already proved popular with UK retailers.  An additional counter display will be supplied free with orders of 36 mats or more, boosting the ranges’ gift and impulse purchase potential.

The unique new Living Tiles range offers ready-planted sedum trays for instant garden colour as edgings for paths or flower beds.  The product will appeal to architects, contractors, developers and garden designers as well as plant retailers.

BeeMat’s Nigel Clarke says more than 150 new independent garden centre customers have signed up since the launch at Glee 2013, in addition to new business from mail order, supermarkets and multiple retailers. “We are looking to build on this, and develop even more retailer relationships for 2015 and beyond,” he added.

The BeeMat was designed in response to the dramatic decline in the UK bee population. A pre-seeded, biodegradable growing mat that also controls weeds, BeeMat™ enables gardeners to bring bee-favourite wild flowers to pots, beds, troughs or allotments.

ButterflyMat and Bird Mat are designed to either attract or control insects and pests.

During trials BeeMat™ has been shown to improve plant establishment number by 90 per cent compared to direct seeded plots and to increase the number of flowers per plant by 40 per cent.

Information: beemat.com Or call 01476 530374

Swedish company Bergo Flooring (hasll 20, stand 30B) are to exhibit their new Eco Unique range of flooring at Glee.

 Made using recycled Polypropylene, the free draining, interlocking tiles can be recycled multiple times.

The tiles can be installed simply by using a rubber mallet – no glue or other fixings required – and come in a range of muted colours ideal for a garden setting.

Bergo Flooring will be exhibiting with distribution partners Tact Enviro Ltd at GLEE.

 Forestry wear specialists Cutter (hall 19, stand A69) are to exhibit a range of products at Glee.

Cutter will be exhibiting its range of high quality gloves - from chainsaw gloves to gardening gloves - and will introduce its new anti vibration glove. The latter features a thumb protection pad in addition to the usual palm and finger protection. As professional tree surgeons, Cutter developed the glove based on personal experiences.

Paul Masters, founder of Cutter said: “We found that when using strimmers and trimmers, there was a lot of pressure placed on the thumb and the ball of the hand. We ensured our gloves protect that area.” The result is “the only glove on the market that does this”.

American doormat company Entryways (Hall 17, stand V50) are to take on the European market and will use Glee to launch its campaign.

Two specific collections will be unveiled – The Handmade Collection and Sweet Home. Combining popular appeal and durability, the Handmade Collection mats are hand painted and hand woven from 100% coir. The Sweet Home collection mats feature non-slip backing with distinctive designs, also made from high quality coir.

Entryways already have customers in the UK and have tested the mats in a European market to determine which ones have the most widespread appeal.

“There is simply nothing comparable to our mats and we are very excited about launching in Europe,” says Entryways owner Eirini Kalafatides. “We see a mat as a canvas for a work of art created by both American and European artists.”

 Garden ornaments manufacturers Haddonstone (hall 20, stand E10) are to announce a number of new pallet deals at Glee.

 The company – with worldwide distributors and more than 100 garden centre stockists across the UK – will also display a selection from the standard range, featuring statues and fountains. The main feature will be the Dauphin Fountain – a fine, self-circulating wall fountain.

 Other highlights include the popular summer and autumn statues from the Seasons Collection, the bestselling Clarence urn, and birdbath designs such as the Baluster and Arcadian.

 With Haddonstone offering a variety of architectural designs such as balustrades, follies and pier caps, the products also appeal to professional designers and landscapers.

 A full colour catalogue will also be available from the exhibit.

Wildlife World (hall 18, stand L50), among the leaders in wildlife conservation products, are to launch an Urban/City range of bird boxes and feeders at the show.

The full range, designed to suit all urban environments, will be on display. Wildlife World managing director, Norman Sellers says: “This is a very exciting move for us and takes us into new territory.”

Wildlife World’s new educational products will also be on display, including the ‘Birdy Bites’ kit, designed to encourage children’s interest in bird life.

Also to be launched is a new bee and butterfly display, which allows retailers to create their own plant displays whilst promoting the Wildlife World range.

Cornwall-based children’s toy distributor Marbel (hall 18, stand N54) will showcase a variety of their brands’ new ranges.

Among them are wooden toy manufacturers BRIO and Hape, Japanese micro-sized block range Nanoblock and Australian accessory brand Pink Poppy. New products from Bullyland’s Disney Planes 2 and the latest playground craze OiDroids will also be on display.

Nanoblock are set to launch a Titanic ship with more than 1800 blocks – a sample of which will feature at the show – as well as a Christmas line with festive figures.

New to the Pink Poppy range for the coming season is a collection of ‘I Love London’ handbags and luggage along with new hair accessories, bracelets and bangle designs.

BRIO are launching a new wooden Rollercoaster Rail set, a Travel Ferry set and a Gantry Crane set.

Outdoor-focused charity The Conservation Volunteers – in partnership with Mind Candy – are to launch a range of branded Moshi Monster tools and seeds at Glee (Hall19, stand H77).

Moshi Monsters is the biggest online children’s game in the UK with more than 20 million members, and key to the game is planting and growing.

Highlights of the range include hands tools and wheelbarrows, as well as more than 20 varieties of seeds – allowing children to plant seeds all year round.

Aimed at children aged five to 10, prices range from £1.49 to £8.99. 

During the past 12 months Gardman has transformed into an agile business able to adapt quickly to the market and spot then respond to shifts in consumer behaviour.  The result is a business that is growing quickly, demonstrated by the uplift in key brand sales, which as a result of a rigorous development and marketing programme have increased by 40%. 

Stewart Hainsworth, chief executive of Gardman explained: “Our strategy is simple.  We have stayed true to our core values of providing retailers with the products consumers want at great prices. At the same time Gardman has invested to provide plenty of opportunities to trade consumers up to higher value, premium products within our core categories.  Our star performer has been the Cole & Bright brand, with its high quality range of solar lighting products, seeing an uplift of over 25%. Other new and developing brands such as The Ernest Charles Co. premium range of wild bird products and the hand forged Blacksmith range of hanging baskets and containers have also performed well. This is testament to the investment made in national marketing activities across targeted channels, backed with strong promotional offers.”

Gardman has also developed its Moulton Mill range of heritage-led, high quality, durable garden tools and launched The Garden & Home Co., an exciting new home style brand. 

The development of these premium brands has been led by research into consumer preferences and behaviours.  With these insights Gardman has been able to develop core category solutions that span from entry level options to high quality ranges.

The company has also taken a number of other significant steps in the past 12 months.

A new talented management team has been put in place, combining garden industry and FMCG expertise.  This, alongside a wealth of internal company knowledge has seen Gardman culturally evolve into a traditional business with fresh ideas. The wider Gardman team has been united in an open plan, modern and accessible facility close to the motorway network. This move has increased communication and so improved efficiency as well as customer service. 

Gardman has extended its strategic relationship with the British Trust for Ornithology and signed a new distribution agreement with the RSPB, the first of this type in the company’s history.  It’s focus, drive and creativity has also resulted in significant new contract wins; in particular the Choice Marketing Group, the largest independent buying group of garden centres who have signed a two year deal with Gardman for the provision of wild bird care, hanging garden and core gardening products.

Gardman at Glee 2014.  Stands 19E30-G31 and 20D50

Crest Garden, the new supplier set up by Nick Davies with backing from Westland Horticulture, makes its frormal debut at Glee, with new tools, watering equipment and propagation products.

Nick Davies says Crest is focussing on ranges with a real point of difference to make them stand out from the competition. “We are creating brands designed to add genuine value for money and grow business for our customers. Our investors have the power and expertise in the industry which will ensure that the brands are strongly marketed through advertising, PR and dynamic point of sale displays,” he added.

Three key categories will be unveiled at Glee. Kent &Stowe is a brand new range of top end crafted quality garden tools. Designed in the U.K. they are unashamedly traditional to reflect a British heritage and engender a sense of pride of ownerership. The range comprises digging, cutting and hand tools in stainless steel and carbon steel. The stainless steel range will be engraved with the Kent & Stowe name. The cutting tools are a premium range of secateurs, loppers, shears and pruning saws with tempered steel blades.

A brand new range of watering products is being marketed exclusively by Crest in the UK under their newly-created Flopro brand. Manufactured by one of Europe’s highest quality producers, it comprises hoses and fittings, an aluminium folding hose cart with fittings, four types of sprinkler, spray guns and a lance. The hoses come with either a 15 or 25 year guarantee depending on model. The two tone colourway has strong visual impact at point of sale.

Finally, Plantpak by Crest is a joint venture between Desch Plantpak and Crest Garden aimed at revitalising the grow your own retail propagation market (see separate story).

See the new Crest Garden ranges in hall 19, stand H23.

* An in-depth interview with Nick Davies appears in the September issue of Garden Trade News.

Smart Solar will re-launch as Smart Garden Products at Glee, with more than 350 new products to tempt the trade.

The ‘Smart Solar’ brand has been refreshed and is being retained for solar products. Another new brand, ‘Smart Garden’, is also being launched to reflect the company’s diversification into several new categories of garden products.

Designed to offer garden centres a broad product choice backed by an established provider, the 350 new products are part of a product development programme that will continue to unfold in the coming months.

Decorative garden structures and fencing suppliers Grange have launched a bin and garden store for concealing garden bins and recycling boxes in an attractive wooden ‘cupboard’ area.

It  would be equally effective for a number of other functions, including log storage or a secure home for bikes, garden tools and lawn mowers. It can be free-standing or supplied minus its back panel for location against an outside wall.

Made from pressure treated beech which will retain its colour for years without additional maintenance, it is shipped flat-packed, with an SRP of £219.

Grange marketing manager Richard Bennett says the product represents ethos for the future –  “well thought through product development with aesthetic and utilitarian appeal at a price that’s attractive and achievable for consumers”.

Grange offer an eight working day delivery service on most products.

The product will be on the Grange stand at Glee (hall 20, stand D04-E05).

Gro-Sure® Tomato Gro-Pack is just one of the new Westland Horticulture products which will be launched at Glee.

The Gro-Pack is ideal for first time growers who often only have a small patio or balcony. Designed for one plant, the extra deep design promotes strong roots for an abundance of tomatoes. Plus there’s 6 weeks feed included to help guarantee growing success.

Westland Horticulture, one of the leading horticultural firms in the UK, is renowned for creating unique and innovative gardening products, and 2014/15 will not disappoint!

Look out for the new range of Gro-Sure products, which include a compost ready to capitalise on the current trend for container gardening, easy tomato food and a new range of lawn seed.

Resolva will have exciting new offerings to launch, Seramis orchid technology will be coming to the UK and gardeners favourite Jack’s Magic will be launching a new garden fertiliser.

Plus, in the bird care sector, there’s new wooden products from Nature’s Feast, a great new event which Peckish will be launching and new bug boxes from the Nature’s Haven brand.

Keep reading your Glee Daily News over the coming days to find out more!

Panacea Products, a new UK-based enterprise to be launched at Glee this month, will offer retailers more than 600 products new to the UK in the patio and garden market.

Family-owned Panacea, founded in 1967, is one of the best-known and most successful gardening brands in the United States, specialising in high-quality, fashion forward metal products for garden centres.

“We believe the time is right and the UK market is ready for the beautiful and functional products we offer,” said Bernie Paniccia, creative director and son of the founder of the family firm. He says Panacea’s unique designs guarantee the brand will stand out in a highly competitive market place and generate good margins. “We are intensely focused on the retailer’s profitability,” Mr Paniccia added.

Panacea ranges embrace three key garden centre sectors:

Hanging baskets, and other metal and natural planters, liners and brackets

Patio lifestyle products, including plant stands and plant pot caddies

Trellis, fence, obelisks, plant supports and bird care

All products are made in the company’s own factories either in the US or the Far East, giving the company total control over quality and logistics. A number of products at Glee will be not have been seen in the UK before – for example, easy to install sectional fencing, made with triple toughcoated tubular steel with an interior galvanized layer for long life.

Mr Paniccia says Panacea’s products mesh with the contemporary trend towards using the garden for fun and entertainment. “We task ourselves how we can make a product more fun, more useful and more beautiful. It’s easy to make functionality - but we also try to make things that give pleasure in the garden.”

UK prices will be competitive in all categories.

Following its sponsorship of the Vital EarthThe Night Sky Garden which won a silver gilt medal at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show, Bord na Móna UK is launching its Chelsea Mix enriched all purpose compost. 

To date Chelsea Mix has been exclusively available to garden designers Harry and David Rich, the youngest ever team to create a full scale Chelsea show garden. It will now be marketed to consumers under the Vital Earth brand and will be formall unveiled formally at Glee.

The Deco-Pak stand (hall 20, stand G26/H27 & H30/H31) will be packed with activities to celebrate the company’s 10th anniversary – both as a business and as Glee exhibitors. The team will host a champagne and strawberry and cream reception on Monday the 15th (9.00am-12pm), with a special prize draw on-stand.

Several new products for 2015 will be on view, including new gravel designs and a new range of growing media. The Garden Bazaar collection of bird houses and feeders will new British-designed models.  New packaging for all products in the range will be showcased. Orders placed during the show will qualify for an exclusive Glee-only discount, including a reduction of £250 on standard carriage-paid charges.

Information: deco-pak.co.uk

Or call 01422 204394