GIMA Awards 2014 ? And the winners are??

Last night?the garden retail industry came together to celebrate the annual GIMA Awards. A much anticipated event in the industry calendar, this year?s awards – held at the prestigious Celtic Manor Resort ? saw winners being crowned across 15 closely fought categories.

GIMA Director, Vicky Nuttall, comments on tonight?s event. ?I would like to be the first to extend my congratulations to all of the winners.? As always the calibre of entries were of the highest standard, and the judges all said that in many cases it was hard to choose just one winner.? I do believe however that those walking away with trophies tonight really are deserving of the accolade given to them.? They have all demonstrated exceptional qualities, from cutting edge design to inspirational retail support.

?My thanks also go to the panel of dedicated judges who gave up their time to take part in this year?s judging process.? Their expertise and knowledge has been invaluable, and we are grateful for their assistance.? Thanks must also be given to all of those companies that entered the awards, without them this event would not take place, so we are extremely grateful for their ongoing support.?

GIMA AWARDS 2014 ? THE WINNERS

GIMA Sword of Excellence

Winner: Burgon & Ball ? RHS Gardeners Gift Collection

What the judges said: A firm favourite amongst all the judges, the RHS Gardeners Gift Collection is awarded the 2014 GIMA Sword of Excellence because it effortlessly combines functionality with stunning design. A superb product range that the judges felt offered retailers an ongoing bestseller, thanks to its gift purchase potential.

Gardenex Export Achievement Award

Winner: Smart Solar

Finalists: Pet Revolution; STV International

What the judges said: In the last 12 months Smart Solar has been blazing a trail within the international market, and it was this dedication that appealed to the judges.? From achieving a major presence within the French garden market, to a new sales team including invaluable multi-lingual members, an ongoing presence at international trade shows and unrivalled commitment to Glee, Smart Solar has gone over and above with the results to prove its passion.

GCA Supplier of the Year

Winner: Taylors Bulbs

Finalists: Sutton Seeds; Briers

What the judges said: Judges were impressed by how Taylors Bulbs offered a complete service to customers.? Key highlights that helped them to stand out include small carriage paid orders, well packaged goods at competitive retails,?and good bespoke promotions.? The win can be easily summarised by this comment provided by a Taylors Bulb customer to the panel ?consistent year after year, always deliver the goods, and are a true pleasure to do business with?.

Garden Care

Winner: Popadome ? All-In-One Fruit & Vegetable Protection System

Finalists: Holiday Plant Saver ? Holiday Plant Saver; Doff Portland Ltd – Doff Crack & Crevice Ant Powder

What the judges said: Judges were impressed by the ease of assembly, high quality materials and potential long life span of the product, as well as the ?green? approach to a common problem.

Growing and Planting Equipment and Sundries

Winner: Hozelock ? Pico Reel

Finalists: Elho Ltd – Brussels Herbs Station; Forest Garden – Tall Wall Greenhouse

What the judges said: One judge summarised perfectly why the Pico Reel won by saying ?It?s the plug-in watering can of the future?!

Garden Tools, Machinery and Implements

Winner: Burgon & Ball – Japanese Razor Hoe – Left Handed and Long Handled

Finalists: Fiskars – SmartFit Hedge Shear & SmartFit Lopper; Burgon & Ball – RHS Stainless Steel Long Handled Bulb Planter

What the judges said: Alys Fowler, gardening columnist for the Guardian recently said about the Japanese Razor Hoe: “It’s so strong you can use it to do things it was never invented for, I am deeply in love with this tool”.? Her sentiments were echoed by the judges who were equally impressed by its ease of use, and quality of build.

Outdoor Leisure, Garden Structures and Features

Winner: Johnsons Lawn Seed ? Grass Graffiti

Finalists: Grange Fencing – Universal Work Potting Bench; Zest 4 Leisure – Worcester Arbour with Storage Box seat; Smart Solar – Metal Silhouette Globe Stake Lights

What the judges said: Praised for its uniqueness, the judged loved the ease of use and endless possibilities that Grass Graffiti provides ? from entertaining the kids during the summer holidays to marking out new flower bed borders.

Plants, Seeds and Bulbs

Winner: Westland Horticulture – Nature’s Haven – Easy Wildflowers

Finalists: Sutton Seeds – Suttons James Wong Indigo Rose Plant; Thompson & Morgan – Start-a-Garden Seed Range

What the judges said: Judges were impressed by the simplicity of Easy Wildflower.? Combining an all in one mix of wildflower seeds and granular compost, the fact that the product has also captured the attention of the national press helped it to stand out and take this year?s award.

Garden Landscaping

Winner: Kelkay ? Build Mate

Finalists:The Solar Centre – Edinburgh Solar Deck Lights; Kelkay ? Chunkies

What the judges said: Featuring 16 specialist products for garden and at-home construction projects, the judges were impressed by the simplicity of the concept, and also the efforts that have been put in place to strengthen the overall retail offering.

Garden Retail Related Products

Winner: Burgon & Ball ? RHS Gardeners Gift Collection

Finalists: Briers ? Jersey Triple Packs; Hozelock – AquaD?co Watering Globes; Burgon & Ball – Sophie Conran Gardeners Accessories

What the judges said: The judges remarked upon the stunning floral designs selected from the RHS Lindley Library.? Additionally, they also noted the strong gift and impulse buy potential that this range offers by combining functionality with style and beautiful design and packaging.

Pet Care, Aquatics and Wild Bird Care Products

Winner: Elho ? Corsica Bird Garden

Finalists: Gardman – Heavy Duty Ground Feeding Haven; Wildlife World – Igloo Hedgehog Home

What the judges said:? Combining bird houses with plants, the Corsica Bird Garden takes the award this year thanks to its ?self-selling, touchable packaging?.? The judges also felt that it represents an exciting ?up and coming? trend within the wild bird care market.

Best Point of Sale Material

Winner: Forest Garden ? Take Me To The Till

Finalists: Town & Country – Ditsy Gloves Clip Strip Promotion; Sutton Seeds – Suttons Chilli Fiesta POS

What the judges said: Summarised as ?silent sales aid for garden centres?, Forest Garden topped this category as the judges were impressed by the impactful stand, and simple three step process for purchasing products.

Best Consumer Product Packaging

Winner: Hozelock – Pico Reel

Finalists: Vitax ? new bottle packaging; Kelkay ? Build Mate packaging

What the judges said: The Pico Reel beat off stiff competition to win this category, and did so because the packaging has been specifically designed to allow consumers to hold and examine the product, whilst creating minimal card wastage. Key benefits are clearly illustrated on the reverse of the packaging, whilst the inclusion of hose reel attachments are also clearly stated.

Best Marketing Communication Award

Winner: The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company – Miracle-Gro’wers Learning Journey

Finalists: Westland Horticulture – Gro-Sure Planting Magic marketing campaign; Hozelock ?Wonderweeder marketing campaign

What the judges said: The judges were impressed by the campaigns fantastic commitment to engaging children and parents, and felt it was a brilliant start to developing a whole gardening curriculum.?

GIMA Awards 2014 – photography

Images from tonight?s event can be downloaded directly from GIMA?s official photographer. Please visit www.sburdenphoto.co.uk, and use the password GIMA14 to access the full image library.? Images can be downloaded directly for use in your review of the awards. Alternatively please use this link: http://1032.tifmember.com/v/r/C157665602/GIMA14