By popular demand: SOLEX retains its midweek dates
This year's show will be 10% bigger than 2015
SOLEX, the summer outdoor living exhibition, has retained its Tuesday-to-Thursday slot this year after buyers expressed a clear preference for a mid-week show. Research by the Leisure and Outdoor Furniture Association, (LOFA) revealed that last year’s switch of dates to mid-week was a hit with the trade...
SOLEX, the summer outdoor living exhibition, has retained its Tuesday-to-Thursday slot this year after buyers expressed a clear preference for a mid-week show.
Research by the Leisure and Outdoor Furniture Association, (LOFA) revealed that last year’s switch of dates to mid-week was a hit with the trade.
 “We realise that for many businesses Monday is an important post-weekend day and so, with the help of the NEC, we have responded to the needs of visitors to accommodate their wishes,” said the Leisure and Outdoor Furniture Association’s chairman Paul Bevington.
Once again, a spectacular New Product Showcase will welcome visitors to the show. Purpose-built and designed to provide visitors with a snapshot of what’s new and exciting at the biggest SOLEX to date, it is the ideal starting point the search for next season’s star products.
With more than 60 top suppliers signed- up, and more membership applications in the pipeline, this year’s premier outdoor trade show at the NEC Birmingham is already 10% bigger than last year.
“SOLEX 2016 will be bigger and better than ever, with more exhibitors, larger stands, and some exciting new features that will guarantee visitors maximum value,” said Paul Facey, director of SOLEX.
Now in its ninth year, SOLEX is an annual three-day trade event attracting national and international retail/contract purchasing directors and managers. It brings together all the leading manufacturers of garden products – furniture, barbecues, gazebos, parasols, outdoor lighting– and provides a showcase for new developments in design and manufacturing.
The Leisure and Outdoor Furniture Association (LOFA) was formed in 1967.
The association is engaged in a variety of activities in support of its members, who currently account for more than half of the garden furniture and barbecues sold in the UK.
Enquiries about SOLEX 2016 should be directed to the show organiser, Phil Gibbs, at the LOFA Offices on 02392 258844 or solex@lofa.com.
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Opening times for SOLEX
SOLEX is taking place at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, from 5-7 July 2016 and will occupy Hall 5. Opening times are as follows:
- Tuesday 5th July, 9am to 5:30pm
- Wednesday 6th July, 9am to 5:30pm
- Thursday 7th July, 9am to 5pm
There is free car parking at the NEC for SOLEX.
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The world’s oldest manufacturer of teak garden furniture has exhibited at every SOLEX since it started in 2008.
The company passed its 90th anniversary a few years back, and is now looking forward to celebrating its centenary in 2020. In the meantime, the focus is on developing new products, hoping to add to its tally of 18 awards for design excellence.
The award-winning in-house design team is led by Mark Tyrie but also likes to work with independent designers. Currently, they produce five major ranges designed by internationally-respected designers, each very different in style and approach, but each bringing valuable variation to the catalogue.
This year, Barlow Tyrie was chosen by the Royal Academy to complement their exhibition ‘Painting the Modern Garden: Monet to Matisse’, a hugely successful showing running that ran from January to April and attracted almost 400,000 visitors. Many of the individual ‘rooms’ making up the gallery space also contained teak garden furniture. This was an assortment of Barlow Tyrie Glenham teak seats and armchairs, and Balmoral teak tables - 29 pieces in all, and was designed to give visitors the opportunity to sit and reflect on the paintings as if in a real garden setting.
Of course, the company also manufactures outdoor furniture in stainless steel, powder-coated aluminium, and hand- woven synthetic fibre, with ranges often featuring a combination of materials; chairs with a stainless steel frame and teak seat and back, for example, or tables with a powder-coated aluminium frame and a teak top; a ceramic tabletop on an aluminium frame, or cord as on its teak Monterey chairs.
“Whichever materials we use, we make sure to source the best available, and to combine ergonomic design with manufacturing expertise,” they tell us. “Our aim is to make outdoor living as comfortable as it is stylish. In fact, to make sure that everything in the garden . . .is lovely!”
Barlow Tyrie (Stand 315). Information: 01376 557 600, www.teak.com
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Cadix, established in 1999, is a leading trade supplier of contemporary pots and planters for the home and garden.
“Our vision is to supply the complete garden concept,” they say. “In order to achieve this we have added a new range of furniture to our collections.
Available from early 2017, the full range will be previewed at SOLEX. Cadix Leisure are on stand 655.
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Norfolk Leisure goes from strength to strength
Norfolk Leisure has gone from strength to strength since last year’s SOLEX, with innovative new ranges and a move to new premises at the beginning of this year, enabling further improvement in customer service levels...
Norfolk Leisure has gone from strength to strength since last year’s SOLEX, with innovative new ranges and a move to new premises at the beginning of this year, enabling further improvement in customer service levels.
New collections for 2017 are being readied for launch at the show.
MD Nick Anderson believes the new LIFE collections are the most exciting Norfolk has shown for several years.
“It has taken a huge amount time and effort to put together the new products we will show,” he told SOLEX SUN.
“LIFE garden furniture is now a proven best seller with its unmatched design and unique features and this year’s new launches will not disappoint.”
Committed to staying ahead of seasonal trends in the garden furniture industry, Norfolk will launch a collection called “Handpicked”, an eclectic selection of ‘must have’ lines for 2017.
A new catalogue will be available and the company says it will display its distinctive ranges with all the flair its customers have come to expect at SOLEX.
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‘Colour your life’ is a success for Supremo
Supremo’s success with ‘Colour your life’, its innovative fabrics and parasols in pastel colours, placed it on the map as a supplier of something different, while keeping design and comfort to the forefront.
Supremo’s success with ‘Colour your life’, its innovative fabrics and parasols in pastel colours, placed it on the map as a supplier of something different, while keeping design and comfort to the forefront.
For 2017, there are fresh new ranges and a greater emphasis on ecological issues.
The new Resysta by Supremo Collection, uses a material that has been 10 years in the making and has all the good-looking attributes of wood without the inherent drawbacks.
Resysta is low maintenance, salt water resistant, weather resistant, frostproof, resistant to pest infestation and fungal decay and, importantly, no impact on tropical rainforests.
This material is made into high quality furniture that leads the way in design and durability, together with other products suitable for the garden.
Visitors to the stand will be among the first to see this new innovative new product and discuss it with the Supremo team.
Supremo (stand 520).
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Cadac, the South African barbecue company, has revamped the much admired BraaiMaxx and revised the retail price.
The award-winning BraaiMaxx is a revolution in outdoor cooking, with two independent cooking areas that allow interchangeable cooking surfaces to be used, two at a time.
Six Cadac modular drop-in cooking surfaces are included and each burner has a flame failure device.
Easy to use and simple to clean, the BraaiMaxx offers unparalleled flexibility and is the choice of many professionals.
Information www.cadac.uk.com
0333 2000 363 info@cadacuk.com
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Desser & Company was founded in 1919 and now in its 97th year, the fourth generation family-run business remains passionate about quality, service and style.
The aim is to provide elegant and contemporary cane furniture to suit living rooms, kitchens and conservatories, enhanced by a range of quality fabrics, including the innovative Aquaclean cloth.
Crafted to the highest standards, assembled in the UK and with all cushions made at its Manchester warehouse, Desser prides itself on furniture that is versatile, reliable and durable. Desser has also developed its own range of outdoor garden furniture with UK-made water-resistant cushions and attractive points of difference. Desser are on stand 420 and for further Information visit www.desser.co.uk or call 0161 832 2004.
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The award-winning Kadai fire bowl and barbecue in one has become something of an icon in the luxury outdoor living market across Europe.
Once used throughout India as ceremonial cooking bowls, the bowls were ‘discovered’ in 2004 by owner Christo and redesigned to release their potential, creating a stunning social centre piece in any garden.
The new Wilstone Kadai is handcrafted using thick steel to form a robust and versatile fire bowl barbecue.
With a new range of visual merchandising, dedicated stockist liaison managers and a team of Kadai Cooks ready to share with customers the joys of cooking over an open fire, Kadai Firebowls claim to be the best selling barbecue fire bowls on the market.
See Kadai on stand 250. Information www.kadai.com ; tel: 01694 771800, email info@wilstone.com
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Five Patioflame Tables launched by Napoleon Grills
New Patioflame Tables are launched this year by Napoleon Grills to complement its range of charcoal and gas barbecues. The five models provide a choice of styling; traditional, the Victorian, and modern, the Hamptons...
New Patioflame Tables are launched this year by Napoleon Grills to complement its range of charcoal and gas barbecues. The five models provide a choice of styling; traditional, the Victorian, and modern, the Hamptons.
The Victorian range offers three models; Rectangular (81cm x 127cm x 63.5cm), Square (106cm x 106cm x 63.5cm) and Round (Ø 106cm x 63.5cm) and all have a bronze finish, with a RRP of £699.99.
The Hamptons comprises Rectangular (81cm x 127cm x 63.5cm) and Square (106cm x 106cm x 63.5cm). Both models come in a contemporary grey finish and are priced at £649.99.
Made of aluminium, they all have a single stainless steel burner with electronic ignition. The flame height is adjustable for both warmth and ambience and a thermo couple valve shuts off the supply when the flame is extinguished. Other features include a protective lid and adjustable feet for uneven floors. Additionally the propane tank can be concealed inside the table base.
Martin Sobey, UK Sales Manager, said: “Wolf Steel has been producing stoves and heating appliances for over 30 years so it was a natural progression to expand its existing barbecue line to include outdoor heating. We hope this range will help extend the time that consumers can enjoy being outdoors, either grilling at the barbecue or socialising.”
For more information visit www.napoleongrills.co.uk or call 01676 522788.
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Zest 4 Leisure builds on growing reputation
Part of the multi award-winning P&A Group of Companies, with five generations of timber heritage and over 30 years’ experience in the industry, Zest 4 Leisure has spent the past decade building a reputation as an outdoor living specialist...
Part of the multi award-winning P&A Group of Companies, with five generations of timber heritage and over 30 years’ experience in the industry, Zest 4 Leisure has spent the past decade building a reputation as an outdoor living specialist.
The range has expanded and developed over the years, to include everything from outdoor benches and arbours to its most recent launches, a range of relaxed outdoor dining furniture.
The company sells its extensive and varied range of high quality, FSC-certified, bar-coded timber garden products through dedicated nationwide sales team, with no restrictions on the size of orders.
Point of sale and marketing support is offered, plus a comprehensive, full colour consumer brochure and a ten year consumer product guarantee against rot on furniture.
Zest 4 Leisure operates a 0% timber waste policy, all waste that cannot be re-usedused is chipped to fuel four 200 kilowatt biomass boilers at the factory in North Wales.
Zest 4 Leisure (stand 240). Information: 01352 752555, www.zest4leisure.co.uk
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Char-Broil T-22G gas barbecue takes centre stage
Char-Broil and Dancook (Stand 335) will be showcasing more than 12 new products. Centre stage will be the new-to-market Char-Broil T-22G gas barbecue, which has just received a Which? Best Buy...
Char-Broil and Dancook (Stand 335) will be showcasing more than 12 new products. Centre stage will be the new-to-market Char-Broil T-22G gas barbecue, which has just received a Which? Best Buy.
 Char-Broil, a family-based US company, has been making barbecues since 1948 and offers a brand portfolio of gas and charcoal grills plus the Big Easy SRG – an all-in-one smoker, roaster and grill – plus a comprehensive range of matching grill accessories.
The company is also an innovator in infrared cooking technology. Its industry-leading TRU-Infrared™ ensures an even distribution of heat every time, without flare-ups and locks in flavours.
Ian Railton, Char-Broil and Dancook’s European MD believes the Which? Best Buy proves that Char-Broil technology makes a real difference to the cooking and flavour of barbecued food. “Our Char-Broil and Dancook ranges for 2017 are set to be our strongest yet,” he said.
The Dancook range is founded on the Danish tradition of cooking outdoors. The simple, unique products are manufactured in solid materials in a stylish design.
For more information visit www.charbroil.co.uk or call 01993 705217.
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Fallen Fruits will unveil the latest additions to its popular Fancy Flames collection at SOLEX.
Incorporating everything from candles and tealights to chimineas and firepits, the collection brings together traditional and contemporary design influences to create a range of products and accessories united by a ‘living flames’ theme.
 Recent additions include a traditional heavy duty Dutch oven, rustic steel fire bowl – a bold centrepiece for a patio or barbecue area – and the innovative barbecue table, which can be transformed from grill to funky bar-style table.
MD Michael Hall says the collection will appeal to style-savvy consumers who just want to enjoy their outdoor space.
“The recent additions complement the existing range perfectly and provide great gift options for garden lovers, social butterflies and even keen campers.”
RRPs range from £2.99 for a set of small citronella garden torches to £599 for an extra large wood store.
Fallen Fruits are on stand 450. Information 01584 873377.
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Quality and value are the hallmarks of the Pagoda ranges of rattan, steel, aluminium and Textilene products that will be on display, along with the company’s new barbecues.
Utilising the buying expertise of its offices in Chinas, the company has been able to reduce its prices on the Toulouse rattan range, making it even more affordable while maintaining quality.
All products are inspected after initial production to ensure that they meet exacting standards, and again when production is completed, using in-house inspectors who check to accepted international AQL standards.
Pagoda @ Munro Importers (stand 445).
Universal Innovations to make SOLEX debut
Universal Innovations, a leading manufacturer of gas barbecues, Heat Focus patio heaters and indoor portable gas fires, will be exhibiting at SOLEX for the first time.
Universal Innovations, a leading manufacturer of gas barbecues, Heat Focus patio heaters and indoor portable gas fires, will be exhibiting at SOLEX for the first time.
The show will see the launch of its new X and XQ barbecue ranges for 2017.
The County Wicklow-based company has been designing and manufacturing high quality gas appliances for the past 20 years and strives to lead the field in design, innovation, quality and value.
Multiple show offers will be available for orders placed on the day.
Universal Innovations (stand 135). Information: (00) 353 12873797, www.uigroup.ie
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