Scotts Invest in Future

The Scotts Company (UK) Ltd has announced a programme of development projects and new product introductions for the 2006 season that underlines its commitment to the UK professional ornamental horticulture business.

Growing media is at the top of the agenda for a planned package of investment, including: the installation at the Hatfield production plant of six raw materials bulk hoppers; two new additive hoppers; a second bulk bag hopper; filling systems and additional computer equipment.

Emphasis will also be focused on a development programme of diversifying into new raw materials to meet changing customer requirements. But this will be in addition to supporting the best selling Levington range, based on native sphagnum peats with exclusive research-based nutrient formulations.

2006 will also see pre-launch trials of a new dual coated controlled release fertilizer, the fourth generation of Osmocote products. The new product will give even greater control of nutrient release to follow both plant growth patterns and potting regimes.

The Peters water-soluble fertilizer range will also be updated during 2005/06. New Peters Professional and Excel products will be launched later this summer, providing the grower with greater choice, while simplifying the range and improving on the renowned quality of Peters feeds.

In addition to the planned investment, Scotts is underlining its strategy of only working with distributors who are fully committed to handling its branded growing media. From 1 January 2006 Avoncrop Ltd will no longer be a distributor of Scotts growing media. However the decision will not affect the sale of Scotts’ fertilizer or controls ranges that will continue to be available through Avoncrop.

Adrian Thirtle-Watts, Scotts Sales Manager Ornamental Horticulture, said: “The decision has been made in light of continued competition issues with Avoncrop’s own growing media business. We want to show greater encouragement to those distributors who have given us full support along their entire product range.”

“Our growing media business is very important to us and we need to work with distributors that are committed. Our grower customers must be able to obtain the technical back-up and information they require to make an informed choice regarding the growing media that best suits their needs. And our distributors are key in achieving this.”

The current Scotts distributors handling growing media, fertilizers and controls for the professional ornamental horticultural market are:

Avoncrop Limited, Bristol
Avoncrop Limited, Boston
Avoncrop Limited, Bracknell
Berrycroft Stores Limited – Professional, Cambridge
BHGS Limited, Evesham
Clydeside Trading Society Limited, Lanark
Dalgety Arable Limited, Canterbury
David Dumosch Limited, Jersey
East Riding Horticulture Limited, York
East Riding Horticulture Limited, Kirknewton
Fargro Limited, Littlehampton
Henry Alty Limited, Preston
JFC Monro, Hayle
LBS Horticulture, Colne
Monro South, Aylesford
Monro South, Goodwood
Monro South, Wisbech
National Agrochemical Distributors Limited, Lusk, Co. Dublin
Spread Garden Supplies Limited, Norwich
Stan Brouard Limited, Guernsey