NFU nominated UK grower, Bransford Webbs, have won Silver in the prestigious AIPH International Grower of the Year Awards in the Finished Plants and Trees category in Essen, Germany.
Bransford Webbs showcased the exceptional prowess of UK growers on an international platform against very strong competition in their category from the Netherlands, Belgium and China.
GOLD - Gui Zhou Miaofu Urban Horticulture Co.,Ltd – China
BRONZE - Boomkwekerij Ebben B.V. – The Netherlands
HONORARY AWARD - Boterdaele Erik bvba – Belgium
Bransford Nurseries was formed by John Tooby in 1961 as a pioneering producer of roses, trees and shrubs in pots. Focussing exclusively on the production and sale of ornamental plants to retailers the nursery became an important and respected supplier. In 1990 Hebe Rosie was launched, named after the founder’s granddaughter and being one of the first plants to be sold with a coloured pot, bespoke label and weather proof poster. The success of Hebe Rosie resulted in the business focussing on new plants and innovative marketing.
By 1993 the name of the business had been changed to Bransford Garden Plants and was one of the first nurseries to offer a year round promotional calendar of new and sort after plants with full point of sale material. An on-going research and development program dealing with plant finders, breeder’s agents and young plant suppliers was established resulting in frequent new plant introductions focused on impulse sales for garden retailers.
Since 1996 the business has been recognised as an Investor in People, an externally audited quality standard for the management and training of people. Investing in new and improved production facilities has been central to enabling the company to increase production and sales, reduce wastage and improve profitability. Propagation, potting, sub irrigated glasshouses and open roof tunnels are all areas that have been developed to enable the increased production of a broad range of shrubs, climbers, trees and herbaceous perennials.
Consistently good plant quality, innovative marketing and an exciting program of new plant introductions has helped the business to develop strong relationships with a range of independent garden centres, garden centre groups, DIY stores and super markets. Ensuring a broad customer mix in a changing market has enabled the business to effectively manage risk whilst profitably growing sales.