The Garden Industry Manufacturers' Association (GIMA) Awards took place last night at Celtic Manor, bringing together manufacturers, retailers and all the top industry names.
The event celebrated the great and the good of the garden industry, with 16 winners taking home prizes. GIMA director Vicky Nuttall said: "I would like to be the first to extend my congratulations to all of the winners. This year saw a record number of entries to the awards, making the judges work even harder as the calibre of product on offer was outstanding.
"However, with some real stand-out entries, and some tough deliberation, the judges were unanimous in their final decisions - all of which are highly deserving of their awards. My sincerest congratulations to all our winners. They have all demonstrated exceptional qualities, from cutting edge design to inspirational retail support."
This year, the GIMA judging panel was made up of Simon Bourne of Perrywood Garden Centre, Liz Brennan from Dobbies, Decco's Chris Gladwin, Caroline Linger from Wyevale, Scott McCabe from Polhill Garden Centre, Choice Marketing's Michelle de Lavis Trafford, Julian Winfield from Haskins and GCA Chair, Simon Wright of Stax Trade Centres, and finally Neil Pope, editor of Garden Trade News.
The winners of the GIMA Awards 2016 were:
GIMA Sword of Excellence: Smart Garden Products - Eureka! Solar Lightbulb
GCA Supplier of the Year: Taylors Bulbs
Gardenex Export Achievement Award: Hozelock - Hozelock Easy Drip Range
PetQuip Export Achievement Award: Symply Pet Products - Canagan Range of Cat & Dog Food
PRODUCT AWARDS
Garden Care: Neudorff UK - CleanLawn 20 kg
Growing, Planting Equipment and Sundries: Hozelock - Cloud Controller
Garden Tools, Machinery and Implements: Crest Garden: Kent & Stowe - Kent & Stowe Lawn Edge Trimmer
Outdoor Leisure: Zest 4 Leisure - Bahama Round Table and Two Stool Set
Plants, Seeds and Bulbs: Hawkesmill Nurseries - 'Herbs for....' collection
Garden Landscaping: Kelkay - Granite Cobble Mat Sets Quarter Circle
Garden Clothing & Gifts: Briers - Advanced Gloves
Pet Care, Aquatics and Wild Bird Care Products:
JOINT Winners: Gardman - Poppy Feeder Dish & Burgon & Ball - Creaturewares
Garden Lighting, Water Features & Ornamentation : Smart Garden Products - Eureka! Solar Lightbulb
Best Point of Sale Material: Crest Garden: Flopro - Flopro Gun Display Stand
Best Consumer Product Packaging: Hozelock - Hozelock Easy Drip Range
Best Marketing Communication Award: Ronseal - Ronseal Fencecare Campaign / Channel 4 Takeover
For more details and judges' comments, see the August 5 issue of DIY Week.