Green-tech 25th anniversary supplement

In association with Cover.indd 6

16/05/2019 10:16

Inside Green-tech

Choose a winning supplier for your landscaping products Over 13,000 products to help protect, enhance and improve plants, trees and their environment

Rural Tree Planting

Urban Tree Planting

Maintenance Products

• Tree Shelters and Guards

• Tree Irrigation

• Grass Seed

• Bamboo Canes

• Root Protection

• Wildflower Seed

• Wooden Stakes

• ArborRaft Tree Planting System

• Lawn Edging

• Tree Belting and Blocks

• Tree Anchoring

• Fertilisers and Weedkillers

• Tree Anchoring

• Tree Grilles and Guards

• Soils and Growing Media

T: 01423 332100 E: sales@green-tech.co.uk www.green-tech.co.uk @Greentechltd

Advert template.indd 1

facebook.com/greentechuk

linkedin.com/company/green-tech-ltd www.green-tech.co.uk | 2

16/05/2019 16:46

INTERVIEW

Leading the way for Green-tech A conversation with Green-tech’s founders, chairman Richard Kay and managing director Rachel Kay, discussing the business’s growth, success and what comes next

S

ince 2014, the conversation around Green-tech has shifted from their impressive growth to their role as an essential supplier to the landscaping industry. Today, the company is one of the most trusted, reliable and important suppliers in the sector.

During this five-year period, the company has grown its revenue, profit, number of clients, continually updated its product offering and moved to a purpose-built business park – a site that utilises 10 acres of land. It has done all this whilst still comfortably delivering a first-class service and managing to support the landscape sector in many ways.

Green-tech’s new office and warehousing is a site to be proud of and is another achievement for Richard and Rachel Kay. Between them, they’ve developed Green-tech from its humble beginnings in a little van, a £5,000 overdraft and an office at Richard’s father’s farm.

The company now employs over 80 staff, offering over 13,000 products all from its state-of-the-art facility just outside of Boroughbridge on the A1(M) in North Yorkshire.

Creating a culture The Kays have led the company to a £16.5m turnover, and continue to outperform the market.

The pair are particularly focused on the company’s commitment to its staff, with heavy emphasis on training, development and rewarding and recognising its key performers.

“We now have seven directors that run their section of the business. As a business we’re very open, with regular staff update meetings and days or nights out.” www.green-tech.co.uk

Interview.indd 3

25th Anniversary / Green-tech

3

16/05/2019 15:19

INTERVIEW

Richard Richard achieved a National Diploma in Agriculture Marketing at Brackenhurst Campus in Nottinghamshire, a section of Nottingham Trent University. He left college in 1989 as a qualified agronomist and worked in the agriculture market. He joined Joseph Bentley’s of Hull as sales manager in their amenity department, before leaving there to set up Green-tech in 1994.

Rachel Rachel is a qualified accountant, first working in the public sector then the motor industry before joining a private accountancy practice, working with businesses of all sizes to provide accountancy services and business support.

4

Green-tech / 25th Anniversary

Interview.indd 4

www.green-tech.co.uk

16/05/2019 09:45

INTERVIEW

“We’ve recently installed a common room with a dart board, table tennis table, pool table and kitchen where staff can congregate and collaborate” This supports its recent launch of ‘Green-tech Cares’, a well- being initiative being rolled out to recognise and respond to staff that are in need of help or support.

The site now allows larger quantities of products to be stocked, having a positive effect on delivery times. The company can now get products dispatched faster and with a quicker turnaround.

As the premises were purpose built, it has allowed greater control and visibility of the stock. The new location means that there is a greater catchment for recruitment, leading to greater exposure to a wider audience. There are additional plans for the site to be expanded further to keep pace with the expected company growth, with two new warehouses due for completion this autumn.

Technology Green-tech has always had an eye on technology and focuses on exploring how technologies can be used both internally and externally to improve all aspects of the business.

Green-tech is venturing into a very exciting technology programme, which is expected to make the company a “smart business”. This will allow customers 24/7 access to products, ordering, distribution and invoicing.

This advanced system will link together its warehouse management system, accounting software and distribution department, a big undertaking that will allow all users to deal with their chosen supplier as and when they wish.

Commitment to the industry Green-tech aims to see the wider picture and is very happy to be supporting and promoting the industry. It is the headline sponsor of the BALI awards, a sponsor of the Pro Landscaper Business Awards and headline sponsor of the Pro Landscaper 30 Under 30: The Next Generation initiative.

Richard is also board director and deputy chair of BALI, and is in line to become chairman in September 2019, a position he says he is very honoured to hold. He will come into the role bringing his energy, networking skills and extensive business knowledge to the role, benefiting the industry on many fronts.

Green-tech works hard to market itself extremely well. Not only is it very active on social media, it appears at many industry trade shows and events, and has continually been involved with the trade press.

The future Moving on to the future of the business, the first thing on the Kay’s agenda is sticking to their mantra: “Supplying what you need, when you need it, first time, every time.”

The further development of their site is also on the horizon – Green-tech has received planning permission for phase two of the build. This will help the business to become even more capable, providing additional options and choices for it as well as its customers on its journey towards reaching £25m turnover.

www.green-tech.co.uk

Interview.indd 5

25th Anniversary / Green-tech

5

16/05/2019 09:47

25-YEAR TIMELINE

Green-tech 25-year timeline

I

n 1994, Green-tech was two people – Richard and Rachel Kay, working from their first home in North Yorkshire. Just two years later they had moved to a portacabin on Richard’s father’s farm. This quickly expanded to two portacabins, which housed the extended workforce of seven.

In 2001, Green-tech moved to its first ‘proper’ office in the small village of Nun Monkton. Here, it continued to grow as its staff numbers swelled to 40.

After 14 years, the company had outgrown the Nun Monkton office. Richard and Rachel took the brave step forward to purchase land and build their own business park. Green-tech moved into its purpose-built extensive offices and warehousing facilities just off the side of the A1 motorway in 2015, and it now employs in excess of 80 people. As it continues to expand, planning permission has been given for additional warehousing to provide even more space to build again.

The rise and success of Green-tech is indisputable. Like all businesses there have been ups and downs but it’s fair to say the ups have prevailed. Green-tech is one of the biggest names and personalities in the industry.

Its turnover has grown from £160K in 1994 to in excess of £16m today.

Green-tech started out in business selling 280 products and today supplies over 13,000 products, making it the largest supplier of landscaping products and consumables in the UK. The company has made many business acquisitions over the years and now has a portfolio of eight brands within its family.

Green-tech remains a family owned and managed business. But, in 2017, Richard and Rachel Kay approached their senior management team with a proposal to join a growth share scheme. The scheme allows the seven senior managers to accrue 49% shared ownership in the Green-tech business by 2022.

These managers have now been promoted to director roles and share the responsibility of deciding the strategic direction of the Green-tech business with Richard and Rachel.

o Nun M

nkton

2004 Green-tree Topsoil established in partnership with Yorkshire Water

2001 Green-tech becomes a limited company

office

2000 Green-tech moves to a larger site in Nun Monkton

Early G

1994 Green-tech’s journey begins

2005 Turnover hits £4.5m

First G

reen-t

e c h va

n

reen-t

e c h va

n

1995 1998

£160K turnover in Green-tech’s first year R icha

, 1996 r d Ka y

Turnover reaches £1m

1997 6

Green-tech / 25th Anniversary

Green-tech timeline.indd 6

Sales office is established

www.green-tech.co.uk

16/05/2019 09:41

2007

2019

Purchase of Tricor.

Green-tech diversifies into grit bins, planters and plant irrigation

hill Sw e e t

Pa r k s

ignag

Green-tech celebrates its 25th anniversary

e

xxxxx

2008 Turnover rises to £6m. Green-tree soil sites open

2019 team 2018

r a te fo Substross projec t r C s g Kin

2011 The gtSpecifier team is born. Greentech achieves ISO 9001 and 14001 accreditation

Management team acquires 49% of business.

Phase two of Rabbit Hill Business Park commences, on-site soil production site is operational and trade centre opens. Total employee count reaches 80

Green -te of direch board c tors 2010 Green-tech expands into the professional grower market

2017

Ra c h e bbit e a t Ra On sit iness Park s Hill Bu

2012

l and R

ichard

2016 Winner of Best Rural Business and APL Supplier Manufacturer of the Year. Richard Kay joins BALI board of directors

Turnover hits £9m and the team expands to a total of 42

2015

2014 20th anniversary celebrated. Land at Rabbit Hill Park is acquired and planning permission for new build is granted

Signa

2013 Green-tech re-launches John Chambers Wildflower Seed.

It also wins the prestigious BALI Affiliate Exceptional Service Award

Green

-tech’s

new lo

Green-tech timeline.indd 7

ge 201

5

Turnover exceeds £10m; 50+ staff.

Green-tech signs a three-year deal to be headline sponsor of the BALI Awards.

Green-tech move into the newly built Rabbit Hill Park and acquire Regency Feeds

rr y

BA L I

www.green-tech.co.uk

Rabbit Hill Country Store and Flexible Lining Products acquired.

Green-tech’s first apprentices help headcount reach 72. New contract signed to be headline sponsor of BALI Awards for three more years

Awa rd

s 201

3

25th Anniversary / Green-tech

7

16/05/2019 09:42

PRODUCTS

Green-tech Green-tech is the UK’s largest supplier to the industry. Its quality landscaping products range from ivy green screens and pond liners to tree anchoring kits and seed mixes

Pond Liners The Green-tech range includes PVC pond liners, Butyl, EPDM Synthetic Rubber Pond Liners, Box Welded Pond Liners and the ancillary products to assist with installation.

Our range of pond liners covers a variety of installation requirements and project budgets from cost effective PVC liners that are particularly pliable, disguising creases or overlaps to bespoke box welded liners that can be tailor-made to fit ponds that require planting shelves, have uneven bases or depths.

gtSedum Cassettes Designed specifically for extensive green roof installations, the gtSedum Cassettes can convert a roof into a lush sedum green roof simply and effectively. A minimum of eight types of sedum are incorporated into each individual cassette, providing year-round rooftop coverage. Sedum is an ideal choice for extensive green roofs as it requires minimal maintenance and is drought tolerant. It is a well-rooted, low growing plant making it ideal for harsh, open rooftop environments.

gtGreen screens gtGreen screens are fast-becoming the go-to product for urban greening projects as they are simple to install and highly effective.

Grown in the UK at Green-tech’s head office, the green screens have been designed for simple installation, reducing the time spent on site.

The screens are grown within an air-pot which aids full root development. The root structure can simply be placed in the ground without the laborious task of pot removal.

Roof garden substrates Green-tech’s own brand of Green-tree roof garden substrates has become synonymous with high-profile roof garden installations across the UK. Green-tree Intensive Roof Garden Substrate was incorporated into the Four Pancras Square roof garden project in Kings Cross, London.

Selected for its organic and fertile properties, the substrate was utilised in a containerised planting scheme. Because of its lightweight texture and water-holding capacity, the substrate ensures healthy plants can establish in harsh rooftop environments. Located to the north of the existing King’s Cross railway station, the 10-storey building is the final part of a cluster of nine office buildings south of Regent’s Canal, which will cover a total of two million square feet.

8

Green-tech / 25th Anniversary

Green-tech key brands.indd 8

www.green-tech.co.uk

16/05/2019 10:08

PRODUCTS

Tree anchoring kit Green-tech’s range of tree anchoring kits was developed in partnership with Anchor Systems (International) Ltd. Feedback and first-hand experience has given Green-tech unique insight into installer needs and pitfalls.

Anchor Systems addressed these to produce a robust and reliable range of anchoring systems that meets all end-user requirements. The tree anchoring kits are fully supported by technical drawings, method statements, installation videos and site visits to assist with initial installations.

ArborRaft Urban Tree Planting System The ArborRaft System and ArborRaft Soil creates a healthy growing space for trees in areas subject to vehicle loadings and trafficking.

Individual ArborRaft units are locked together to form a raft system that sits within the tree pit.

The system works by spreading the load of any vehicle movements around the tree’s rooting area. This eliminates soil compaction of the growing media within the pit, maintaining the ideal growing environment for the trees to establish and mature.

John Chambers Wildflower and Grass Seed The John Chambers brand has stamped its mark on the conservation and biodiversity sectors of the landscape market; offering advice, guidance and professional quality products. The range provides wildflower mixes modified to include more commonly found species, suiting a variety of growing conditions and encouraging biodiversity, along with grass seed mixes to suit all applications.

Rural tree planting Green-tech is the largest UK distributor of Tubex products and offers an array of tree-planting items. The range covers everyday essentials, such as tree belts, ties, stakes and canes to higher specification tree equipment, such as anchoring and irrigation systems, tree grilles, guards and root growth essentials.

GRB Plus GRB Plus is a tried and tested product for ground protection, ground reinforcement and stabilisation. One of Green-tech’s most popular products, GRB Plus is a plastic paver system specified on many major projects across the UK. Once ‘locked’ together, it provides excellent strength and protection while permitting the free flow of water to minimise drainage problems.

www.green-tech.co.uk

Green-tech key brands.indd 9

25th Anniversary / Green-tech

9

16/05/2019 10:10

KEY BRANDS

Green-tree The Green-tree brand of soils and growing media was established more than 15 years ago when Green-tech formulated its own process to manufacture British Standard soils and substrates

M

anufactured from natural by-products of the recycling industry, Green-tree’s range provides a rich and organic growing media for healthy plants and trees.

Its award-winning topsoil is compliant to BS 3882:2015 and has been specified on many high-profile projects, from public parks to sports pitches to rooftops.

The Green-tree brand of topsoil and substrates has been developed to meet the needs of the market and are fast becoming the range of choice for specifiers within the sector.

Having begun with a single site in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, Green-tree has recently joined forces with Freeland Horticulture to distribute its award-winning topsoil from their ten production sites across the country, taking the number of sites for distribution of Green-tree soils across the UK to 25.

Green-tree is recognised for the quality and consistency of its year-round supply of topsoil. The brand incudes Green-tree specialist soil mixes, subsoils, roof garden substrates, Amenity Tree Soil, ArborRaft Soil – which is popular for use in urban tree planting projects – and Rain Garden Filter Medium soil.

PROJECT

Topsoil for a secondary school sports pitch Two thousand tonnes of premium-grade Green-tree Topsoil, specially manufactured for high-quality sports pitch application, was used at a newly built secondary school in north-east England.

The Green-tree team pulled together a comprehensive schedule to ensure that the topsoil was manufactured using PAS100 green compost and selected sands. It was stockpiled in a quarantined area, ready for the pre-validation testing. Once the data came back as suitable and the soil was signed off, deliveries were organised to keep pace with the team placing and spreading the topsoil, ready for the drainage system and turf to be laid.

A Guide to Good Soils and Sustainable growing media cts for ground preparation produ . nment enviro the landscape

www.green-tree.co.uk

Topsoils Amenity Tree Soil Roof Garden Substrate Ornamental Barks Turfs Grass Seed Green-tree is a trading style

10

Green-tech / 25th Anniversary

Green-tech key brands.indd 10

of Green-tech Ltd.

www.green-tech.co.uk

16/05/2019 10:11

KEY BRANDS

gtSpecifier gtSpecifier is the specification arm of Greentech, focusing on technical specification and finding landscape solutions for landscape architects, contractors and garden designers

T Consulting on urban tree planting materials for Manchester traffic island

PROJECT

www.green-tech.co.uk

Green-tech key brands.indd 11

Salford City Council commissioned a new traffic island which was designed to stop vehicle access.

Green-tech’s specification team, gtSpecifier, was approached to advise and supply the ArborRaft Tree Planting system, Resibond and tree grilles.

The ArborRaft Tree Planting system combines nutrient-rich ArborRaft soil with exceptionally strong geocellular units. These units provide essential load bearing support and reduce soil compaction. The system creates a healthy growing space for trees.

Above ground, Green-tech Resi-Grilles were installed into the hard landscape. These are cast iron grilles with a recess of 50mm, filled with Greentech’s Resibond to give a practical, porous surface in a contemporary style.

he gtSpecifier department was established to meet the growing demand from landscape architects and contractors for assistance with the specification, estimating and drawing stages of their projects. gtSpecifier helps architects and contractors find the best solutions for their projects. The team looks at each project on a job-by-job basis and creates bespoke solutions. It also supports with pricing, a consideration critical for contractors and most landscape projects.

The hand-picked team has the product knowledge and technical expertise to offer suggestions and recommendations for designs and the know-how to piece together an installation. Team members are also involved in product development, and assessments before any Green-tech products are taken to market.

As an educational resource, gtSpecifier offers a CAD service for architects who need assistance with drawings. The team holds a library of drawings that can simply be inserted into the planned scheme. A number of CPD seminars which cover urban tree planting, the guide to good soils, tree and plant irrigation and ground reinforcement are also on offer.

25th Anniversary / Green-tech 11

16/05/2019 14:55

KEY BRANDS

John Chambers Wildflower Seed Founded by its innovative namesake, John Chambers has a 35-year history of supplying native British, hand-cleaned wildflower seed and mixes to rural and urban projects across the UK. The John Chambers Wildflower Seed brand has built a respected name in both rural and urban seed mix supply

PROJECT

New Scottish Wick Campus Over 300kg of John Chambers Wildflower Seed, including a specialist BREEAM species rich lawn mix, was supplied as part of a new £48m Wick Campus project. This is as part of the Scottish Government’s Scotland’s Schools for the Future programme.

As part of the soft landscaping, wildflower seeding was specified around the extensive 17,500m² grounds. This project was to replace the previous Wick High School and consolidated existing primary schools, a nursery, sports facilities, a community library and swimming pool into one integrated community facility. Stuart Simpson of landscape contractor Ashlea Landscapes Ltd says: “The establishment of the flowering lawn has been excellent, one of the best we have ever seen.”

12

Green-tech / 25th Anniversary

Green-tech key brands.indd 12

J

ohn Chambers was established more than 35 years ago as a supplier of native British wildflower seed. Green-tech purchased the business in 2013 and rebranded it as John Chambers Wildflower Seed, updating the business while retaining the founder’s traditional values.

It supplies native British produced wildflower seed and mixes for a wide range of projects across the UK and is considered one of the leading authorities on native wildflower seed. Their seed is sourced from long-established growers that are stringent in their collection processes.

Wildflower spaces have increased in importance over recent years in both rural and urban environments.

It’s not just wildflower lovers but landscapers, landscape architects, farmers and conservationists who recognise the added benefits of wildflowers.

The team at John Chambers is passionate about their role. Whether it’s a mix for a landscape project or a single species for a country garden, all wildflower seed is cleaned by hand – a labour-intensive process to achieve the highest quality standards. Seed cleaners only dispatch the best seed to ensure optimum growth and success regardless of the climate or soil quality.

They work with landscape architects and ecologists across the UK to create bespoke wildflower mixes that meet specific criteria. The team takes time to consider biodiversity, location, flowering periods and project aspirations before creating a suitable mix.

The range has been extended to include John Chambers wildflower matting as well as wildlife and insect habitats. The collection includes bird feeders, nesting boxes, bee, butterfly and insect biomes and a wide range of bat boxes. www.green-tech.co.uk

16/05/2019 10:12

KEY BRANDS

Flexible Lining Products (FLP) In 2017, Green-tech purchased Flexible Lining Products, an online distributor of pond and lake lining products, geotextiles and geomembranes, erosion control aids and ground reinforcement products.

A revamped FLP website has complimented Green-tech’s successful online offering and opened up new routes to market for the Green-tech team

PROJECT

F

LP - Flexible Lining Products - is the dedicated online distributor of Terram products. The Terram product range is synonymous with quality and widely used on construction sites across the UK. The range includes geosynthetics, geomembranes, geotextiles and geocells; all manufactured in the UK and offering product solutions in the areas of ground stabilisation and erosion control.

In addition to the Terram product range, FLP is the go-to, online resource for pond and lake excavation, natural swimming pools and reservoir builds. The team behind FLP offers great advice on the ideal solution for your project, assisting with product selection and specification down to recommended installers. They also help to encourage aquatic habitats and the social and personal benefits they can bring to landscapes.

Natural swimming pool in North Yorkshire FLP was asked to consult, specify and supply the products needed for a natural swimming pool in North Yorkshire. This means that no chemicals are required to disinfect the water – they use plants and biofilters to keep the water clean. Biofilters are designed to purify water using non-harmful bacteria and micro-organisms. The water then goes through a secondary filter to remove sediments or potentially risk-harbouring bacteria before being filtered back into the main swimming pool.

The heavy duty pond underlay is manufactured from a non-woven geotextile and provides exceptional puncture resistance from sharp stones and invasive debris. This was recommended and supplied, along with the robust EPDM synthetic rubber pond liner, which is resistant to UV degradation and ideal for larger projects.

www.green-tech.co.uk

Green-tech key brands.indd 13

Pond Liners Coir Products Groundcover

Terram BodPave® GrassProtecta®

25th Anniversary / Green-tech 13

16/05/2019 10:13

KEY BRANDS

Rabbit Hill Country Store and gt Trade Centre Located on the Rabbit Hill Business Park, Rabbit Hill Country Store is a haven for farmers, small-holders, garden enthusiasts and pet lovers. gt Trade Centre is the trade depot for local landscaper gardeners, contractors and estate managers

T

he country store has quickly become an integral part of the local community, selling all rural essentials from pet and gardening products to workwear and farm feeds.

The garden centre is a hive of activity. Staff work in partnership with many local organisations and schools, encouraging an interest in gardening amongst children and raising their understanding of the need for wildlife and biodiversity in the garden and community.

14

Green-tech / 25th Anniversary

Green-tech key brands.indd 14

The gt Trade Centre opened in October 2018 to enable local Green-tech customers the facility to collect their orders. It is situated at the front of the country store and managed by long-time Green-tech team member Frankie Helliwell, who has a wealth of experience and product knowledge. The gt Trade Centre has attracted considerable interest and been hugely successful.

Its doors are open to local landscape gardeners, landscape contractors and estate managers to access the vast Green-tech product range.

www.green-tech.co.uk

16/05/2019 14:51

AWARDS

25 years of awards 2006

2016

2018

Winner, Environmental Product of the Year

Winner, Best Rural Business

Winner, Supplier Category

Winner, Manufacturer – Supplier of the Year

2019

National Recycling Awards

2008 Winner, Green Apple

Green Apple Awards

2013 Principal Winner, Affiliate Exceptional Service

BALI National Landscape Awards

2014 Winner, Affiliate Exceptional Service

BALI National Landscape Awards

2015 Winner, Employer of the Year

BALI National Landscape Awards

Harrogate Business Awards

APL Awards

Winner, Affiliate Exceptional Service Winner, Employer Excellence

Pro Landscaper Business Awards 2017

Winner, Industry Partnership

Pro Landscaper Business Awards 2018

BALI National Landscape Awards Shortlisted, Family Business of the Year

Family Business United Awards

2017 Winner, Affiliate Exceptional Service

BALI National Landscape Awards Finalist, Employer of the Year Finalist, Best Large Company

Harrogate Business Awards

Finalist, Large Business of the Year

The Press Business Awards

www.green-tech.co.uk

Awards.indd 15

25th Anniversary / Green-tech 15

16/05/2019 14:57

KEY STAFF

Meet The Management Team Richard Kay Chairman How long have you worked at Green-tech?

25 years.

How would you describe Green-tech in three words?

Innovative, consistent, authentic.

What’s the best thing about your role?

The diversity of the working week.

If you weren’t in the horticulture industry, what would you be doing?

What is the one thingyou cannot leave the house without?

Doris, my Basset Hound.

Farming.

Rachel Kay Managing director How long have you worked at Green-tech?

25 years.

How would you describe Green-tech in three words?

Fast, fun and fair.

What’s the best thing about your role?

Getting to see individuals grow and develop.

What is the one thing you cannot leave the house without?

Kevin, the cute office pup.

If you weren’t in the horticulture industry, what would you be doing?

Raising and farming belted galloways.

Corin Clifford

HR and operations director How long have you worked at Green-tech?

11 years.

How would you describe Green-tech in three words?

Challenging, focused and unique.

What’s the best thing about your role?

No two days are ever the same.

If you weren’t in the horticulture industry, what would you be doing?

What is the one thing you cannot leave the house without?

Clothes!

I’d go back to organising events, festivals and live music, touring and security work.

Glenn Brown Warehouse director How long have you worked at Green-tech?

15 years.

How would you describe Green-tech in three words?

Entertaining, busy, different.

16

Green-tech / 25th Anniversary

Key Staff.indd 16

What’s the best thing about your role?

Every day is different.

If you weren’t in the horticulture industry, what would you be doing?

What is the one thing you cannot leave the house without?

My work boots.

Farming.

www.green-tech.co.uk

16/05/2019 15:10

KEY STAFF

Kate Humes Marketing director

What’s the best thing about your role?

How long have you worked at Green-tech?

Nearly 10 years.

The variety. As the company has grown and more acquisitions have been made, more markets have opened up to us, employing all elements of the marketing mix.

How would you describe Green-tech in three words?

What could you not leave the house without?

Ambitious, dynamic, straight-talking.

At the moment? Baby wipes,

nappies and a change of clothing for my 18-month-old would be absolutely essential.

If you weren’t in the horticulture industry, what would you be doing?

Definitely a food critic, travelling and eating at the best restaurants in the country.

Mark Wood

Business development director How long have you worked at Green-tech?

Seven years.

How would you describe Green-tech in three words?

Fun, fast and passionate.

What’s the best thing about your role?

Working as part of this team.

If you weren’t in the horticulture industry, what would you be doing?

What is the one thing you cannot leave the house without?

My watch.

Selling sports cars!

Richard Gill Sales director How long have you worked at Green-tech?

15 years.

How would you describe Green-tech in three words?

“Bang on it.”

What’s the best thing about your role?

Watching our team grow and progress within the company.

What is the one thing you cannot leave the house without?

A smile.

If you weren’t in the horticulture industry, what would you be doing?

Probably sales but just in a different industry.

Richard Wall Finance and IT director

How long have you worked at Green-tech?

Nearly five years.

How would you describe Green-tech in three words?

A great atmosphere.

What’s the best thing about your role?

Working with the entire business.

If you weren’t in the horticulture industry, what would you be doing?

What is the one thing you cannot leave the house without?

My wallet.

Counting beans in another industry.

Tom Parker

Purchasing and commercial director How long have you worked at Green-tech?

13 Years.

How would you describe Green-tech in three words?

Supplier of choice. www.green-tech.co.uk

Key Staff.indd 17

What’s the best thing about your role?

Variety. We buy and stock more than 7,000 product lines.

What is the one thing you cannot leave the house without?

Door key?

If you weren’t in the horticulture industry, what would you be doing?

Professional golfer? In the real world: chef or renovating property.

25th Anniversary / Green-tech 17

16/05/2019 15:10

TESTIMONIALS

Industry Endorsements “As usual, Green-tech were great. They supplied everything as specified, on time and to the correct location at the agreed rates. Everything was just to the high standard we expect, and our customer is very happy.”

Simon Marrington – new business and senior forest manager, Tilhill Forestry

“We were really pleased with the high level of service we received from Green-tech. We worked closely with them, and all stakeholders involved, to manage the supply chain requirements from start to finish. We were delighted with the quality of the product and the advice and service we received.

Our client is thrilled with their finished multi sports pitch.”

Paul Curry – director, Brambledown Landscape Services

“Congratulations on your 25th Anniversary!

Fantastic achievements from a progressive and forward-thinking business. Here’s to the next 25 years!”

Wayne Grilles – chief executive, BALI

“We’ve enjoyed over 15 years of trading with Green-tech. They have delivered consistently, on time and have always been both competitive and supportive. A real pleasure to work with, I would have absolutely no hesitation whatsoever in recommending Green-tech. Well done to all at Green-tech!”

Steve Warren-Brown – founder, YGS Landscapes Ltd

“We have worked with Green-tech for many years and they always provide us with great advice, prices and services. They are very flexible and always work hard to accommodate our requirements.”

Andy Ansell – operations director, Glendale

“We have used Green-tech for well over ten years and always find that they offer excellent products, competitive prices and a great service. They have an extensive stock holding, so can always deliver what we want, when we want. Our company would definitely recommend them.”

James Legge – director, Highland Landscape Design

“Our client is pleased with the end result. The trees are nicely established and looking good. Green-tech was great with the advice they offered me. Their pricing, delivery and service was all spot on and I’d highly recommend them.”

Jonathan Fearick – owner, Newbrook Gardening

“The establishment of the wildflower areas has been excellent, one of the best we have ever seen. It has been a pleasure to work on this project and we always turn immediately to Green-tech as our landscape supplier. They always supply what we need, when we need it, at the most competitive prices. We have used their seed on many other projects, always with outstanding results.”

Stuart Simpson – director, Ashlea Limited “We have worked with Greentech and their specification team gtSpecifier for a number of years, and particularly like using their Green-tree Roof Garden Intensive Substrate.

Their production process and haulage service are very professional and well organised. I have no hesitation in recommending this company and their product on any job.”

Tom Beck – commercial manager, Kingston Landscape Group

18

Green-tech / 25th Anniversary

Testimonials.indd 18

”Congratulations to Green-tech for 25 years of successful trading! As one of our key suppliers for almost 20 years, their knowledge and service has been crucial to our own success.”

Jody Matthews, estimating manager, NT Killingley Ltd

www.green-tech.co.uk

16/05/2019 10:39

CONTACT

Keeping in touch

Green-tech 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Green-tech recently launched five new websites that offer easier browsing of products, downloadable information, more videos, CAD and an overall improved online experience. Its investment has been rewarded by an increase in visitors to their websites with more people utilising the sites as a reference and estimating tool, and an increase in visitors viewing its websites on mobile devices.

They have recently introduced an online account hub for trade customers, where customers are provided with login details and can view their own price list and product basket through the website. This was trialled through 2018 by a number of trade customers with success and will continue to be rolled out to more customers throughout 2019.

In the UK, over the last 12 months Green-tech has dispatched over...

19,800 19,800 rolls rolls 33,600 33,600 pallets pallets 24,000 24,000 parcels parcels 4000 ranging from ranging 0.3mfrom 0.3m to 4.5m intolength 4.5m in length

of c

www.green-tech.co.uk Twitter: @greentechltd Facebook: greentechuk LinkedIn: green-tech-ltd Google+: Green-tech Ltd

www.johnchamberswildflowers.co.uk Twitter: @jcwildflowers Facebook: johnchamberswildflowerseed LinkedIn: john-chambers-wildflower-seed

19,80019,800 rolls rolls 33,60033,600 palletspallets 24,00024,000 parcelsparcels 4000 full 4000 loads full loads ranging from ranging 0.3m from 0.3m

to 4.5m in length www.gtspecifier.co.ukto 4.5m in length

19,800 rolls ranging from 0.3m to 4.5m in length

33,600 pallets

of compost, ofbark compost, bark 4000 full loads compost, bark and soils ofand soils

24,000 parcels

and soils

LinkedIn: gt-specifier Twitter: @gtSpecifier

www.green-tree.co.uk Twitter: @Greentreesoil

www.flexiblelining.co.uk Twitter: @Flexible_lining

www.terramdirect.co.uk

www.green-tech.co.uk

Meet the sales team.indd 19

Green-tech deliver around the world

25th Anniversary / Green-tech 19

16/05/2019 16:28

The Green-tech family of brands

ww

.gtsp

ecifie

.u r. c o

w

k

ww

.gre e

co n - t re e.

.u

k

ww

.gre

co en-tech.

.u

k

w

ww

e n c y fe e

co d s.

ww

.u

k

.

uk

re g

.ter

ramdir

co ec t.

flex

.c iblelining

ra

w.

w.

w.

o.

u

k

w

.uk

erswil

e

.co

rs

amb

w dflo

w

w

w

ch

w

jo w.

hn

.co

ww

.uk

w

bb

ithi

l l co u nt r ys

to

re

T: 01423 332100 E: sales@green-tech.co.uk www.green-tech.co.uk @Greentechltd

Advert template.indd 2

facebook.com/greentechuk

linkedin.com/company/green-tech-ltd

23/04/2019 09:15