In This Issue
Cast aluminium range is a certain success for Culcita
If you haven't been yet don't miss the final day of SOLEX tomorrow
Prepared for take-off as Weber fly to the next level
Moroccan lantern inspires Diarmuid Gavin's first garden furniture design
Hi-Rise Garden is a 'tree house for grown-ups'
Bellagio UK take wraps off new Supremo branding
Norfolk Leisure win the Best Stand Award at SOLEX
Best Product at SOLEX goes to Bambrella gazebo
Vietnam opens up new horizons for LG Outdoor
Premier help retailers to 'create the look'
4 Seasons Outdoor among five SOLEX exhibitors to make finals of the Greatest Awards
Animalatronics make an impression for Besp-Oak
Solar crystal ball sales soar thanks to new POS
Take a whistle-stop tour with our SOLEX picture special
Rose Round 8 seater from Zest 4 Leisure is a winner
New furniture range inspired by Monterey Bay
'Cool' looking cool boxes from Garden Furniture Global
Swivel chair proves popular from Jigsaw
Urbano collection gets visitors talking on the Kettler stand
Cobb add gas to their portable cooking system
Chesapeake is an extensive new collection from Barlow Tyrie
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Cast aluminium range is a certain success for Culcita
The impressive-looking Culcita stand (430) has been very popular over the first two days of SOLEX with the Cast Aluminium range of outdoor furniture a particular favourite with visitors...


The impressive-looking Culcita stand has been very popular over the first two days of SOLEX with the Cast Aluminium range of outdoor furniture a particular favourite with visitors.

The durable cast aluminium ensures many long summers of enjoyment. The traditional designs fit well in any outdoor setting, and the brightly painted cast gives a garden that traditional garden party atmosphere.

The range includes a Bistro Set, lounger, 6 and 4 seater tables and chairs with luxurious cushions. The bright cushions contrast beautifully with the dark cast frames.



Culcita are very experienced in the manufacture and supply of cushions for the garden furniture industry. The fabrics are both fashionable and functional.

The extensive cushion ranges extend from basic seat pads to attractive designer cushions for quality garden furniture. 

Check out the whole Culcita range on stand 430.



If you haven't been yet don't miss the final day of SOLEX tomorrow

  • SOLEX takes place in Hall 5 of the NEC in Birmingham.
  • The exhibition is open for one more day – Wednesday 9am to 5pm.
  • There are large car parks at the NEC, and parking will be free



SOLEX
takes place in Hall 5 of the NEC in Birmingham.

The exhibition is open for one more day – Wednesday 9am to 5pm.

There are large car parks at the NEC, and parking will be free 

To register your place for SOLEX click here

For more infomration about SOLEX visit the exhibition website at www.lofa.co.uk/SOLEX

Prepared for take-off as Weber fly to the next level


Weber are embarking on an exciting journey in the UK as they aim to take the BBQ sector by storm. And they certainly wowed visitors to their stand – themed as a luxury airport lounge – where they invited retailers to get on board...



Weber are embarking on an exciting journey in the UK as they aim to take the BBQ sector by storm. And they certainly wowed visitors to their stand – themed as a luxury airport lounge – where they invited retailers to get on board.

Director of Sales Jo McDonald said: "It's a very exciting period for Weber and we are aiming to give the brand a different image.

"The company is investing heavily in the brand in the UK, and part of our strategy is to move our headquarters from Skipton to central London in September.

"Within the European barbecue market, the UK is seen as the gateway for growing the brand in the rest of Europe, therefore being based in the capital will give us the ideal infrastructure to reach out to key media, rub shoulders with like-minded global brands to grow the Weber brand presence – and in turn sales for our customers.

"We done a TV advertising regional test in the South and we've seen huge conversion rates so our customers can be sure there are exciting times ahead for the Weber brand. 

"We wanted to make a statement at SOLEX and I think our stand has had the desired effect."

Jo added that the Weber Grill Academy is also moving to London from its present home in Oxford.




Moroccan lantern inspires Diarmuid Gavin's first garden furniture design

Inspired by 'the mystery and elegance of a Moroccan lantern', the Cabana from Alexander Rose is Diarmuid Gavin's first step into outdoor living product design...


Inspired by 'the mystery and elegance of a Moroccan lantern', the Cabana from Alexander Rose is Diarmuid Gavin's first step into outdoor living product design.

The structure, consisting of four woven panels and a domed roof, offers shelter and privacy for small gatherings. Diarmuid said he had relished the opportunity to design a structure around a lantern design that had always appealed to him. "When I saw the 'diamond style' weave produced by Alexander Rose, I knew it was absolutely ideal for it," he added.

The Cabana has round step-over entrances on three sides and a solid wall with a shelf on the fourth. It is unashamedly upomarket, with an SRP of £5,950 for the single-skin version and £6,750 for the double-skin model.

Hi-Rise Garden is a 'tree house for grown-ups'









Alexander Rose are going up in the world...with their new Hi-Rise Garden concept...



Alexander Rose are going up in the world...with their new Hi-Rise Garden concept, a centrepiece on their SOLEX stand.

The Hi-Rise, a sheltered garden space with an 'upstairs' , is the brainchild of Alan Morley, Alexander Rose's head of design. "I realised after I'd finished it that what inspired the design was my childhood love of tree houses," he told SOLEX Sun. 

The design will appeal not only to the adventurous consumer searching for something on a whole new level but to those whose gardens are limited by a small footprint. "It means they can use vertical space to create a useful ouside seating area."  There is a a single-tier Lo-Rise, too. Both versions come with an eight-seater dining table. The parasol in the picture is an optional extra.


Bellagio UK take wraps off new Supremo branding
Bellagio stockists at SOLEX yesterday were introduced to a new name for the brand - Supremo Leisure... 



Above: Hannah relaxes in a three-seater sofa from Supremo's new Eton lounge dining range.

Bellagio stockists at SOLEX yesterday were introduced to a new name for the brand - Supremo Leisure.

The Telford-based company believe the new ID will them a distinctive image in the market and and add clarity for the consumer. In addition to popular ranges that will be familiar to buyes, there are new collections and new colours, with a a major emphasis on the lounge dining.

The trend  towards lounger dining – in effect, bringing indoor dining to the outdoor space without loss of convenience or comfort  – has been accelerating and Supremo is gearing up to take advantage of it. "We believe it's the future," a spokesman told SOLEX Sun, "and we're very excited about our new sets."

Prominent on the stand are the Eton resin weave lounge dining sets, with tables boasting an easy-clean glass stone inlay and weave in wintage white. Cushions can be ordered in a choice of colours.

New cushion colours were also unveiled for the contemporary Cannes aluminium range, which includes a hammock.



Above: MD Julian Windsor (left) and Steve Watson, who designed the new branding, drink a toast to Supremo.


Norfolk Leisure win the Best Stand Award at SOLEX


Norfolk Leisure have been awarded the Best Stand accolade at SOLEX with the judges saying: "It's a very well put together stand and a lot of effort went into it. There are lots of features to catch the eye."



Norfolk Leisure have been awarded the Best Stand accolade at SOLEX with the judges saying: "It's a very well put together stand and a lot of effort went into it. There are lots of features to catch the eye."

Debbie Waudby, from Norfolk Leisure, said: "The whole team worked so hard on the stand, I'm so proud of them. This exhibition is so important to us, so to win this award is fantastic for everyone."

Highly commended were Kadai and Landmann.

All the stands at the show were judged by Howard Barnett, Jonathan Hindle and Diarmuid Gavin (pictured below).



 
Best Product at SOLEX goes to Bambrella gazebo
The Bambrella Alize has been voted Best Product Award at this year's SOLEX.


The Bambrella Alize has been voted Best Product Award at this year's SOLEX.

The impressive Alize pavilion range is the ultimate luxury space for entertaining and relaxing alike. For those wanting more privacy you can close the drapes on four sides. 

The Alize is extremely robust and can be used as a permanent or temporary structure. The feet at the bottom of the postrs can be fixed to any surface using bolts, screw pegs or you can use the company's concrete filled bamboo bases.

The judges commented: "It's a great design and environmentally friendly."



Vietnam opens up new horizons for LG Outdoor







A new factory in Vietnam  is enabling LeisureGrow Group to create distinctive points of difference for its new LG Outdoor branding...



A new factory in Vietnam  is enabling LeisureGrow Group to create distinctive points of difference for its new LG Outdoor branding.

The company's production has been centred on China for many years but new technology in Vietnam is making it possible to produce a synthetic weave with probably the most authentic natural  rattan look on the market. "It means we can offer something genuinely different in addition to the products we produce in China," said group chairman Richard Grimmer.

The new 'natural' weave can be seen on a luxury LG Outdoor lounge dining set on the LeisureGrow stand.

The group's Grillstream barbecue brand goes from strength to strength and gains a new mid-price gas model that has been attracting plenty of interest at SOLEX yesterday and today.

Left: LeisureGrow's Richard Grimmer does a comfort test on a new LG Outdoor lounge dining set. Above: can't believe it's not rattan? LG's new Vietnam-sourced sythetic weave.
Premier help retailers to 'create the look'
Home and garden writers often encourage their readers to 'get the look' - and now retailers can do it with helpful tips from Premier Decorations...


Home and garden writers often encourage their readers to 'get the look' - and now retailers can do it with helpful tips from Premier Decorations.

Their stand includes displays designed to inspire stockists to create cameo display in-store, complete with a 'menu' listing all the items used to make it easier for consumers to re-create the look at home. 

Premier's current focus on  brand-building is also evident on the stand, with strong display of the  Barbecook, Char Griller, Joe's Barbecue Smoker and Sunday ranges, among others.
4 Seasons Outdoor among five SOLEX exhibitors to make finals of the Greatest Awards
Five SOLEX exhibitors were among the finalists in the Garden Centre Supplier of the Year category of GTN's Greatest Awards, presented last night...



Above: the 4 Seasons Outdoor team with their finalist's certificate from the Greatest Awards.

Five SOLEX exhibitors were among the finalists in the Garden Centre Supplier of the Year category of GTN's Greatest Awards, presented last night.

Garden centres across the UK nominated dozens of suppliers in the Supplier of the Year category, with Gardman winning the Gold Award. But 4 Seasons Outdoor, Daro, Weber, Kettler and Alexander Rose, all exhibiting at the show today, made it to the shortlist in what turned out to be a close contest when the votes were counted.

For full results of the Greatest Awards, organised by Garden Trade News to reward team excellence in garden centre retailing, watch out for a special edition of the GTN Xtra e-newsletter. To join the mailing list, send your email address to: trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk



Above: the 4 Seasons Outdoor team with their finalist's certificate from the Greatest Awards.
Animalatronics make an impression for Besp-Oak


Besp-Oak have been stopping SOLEX visitors in their tracks with their Animalatronics, a series of lifelike animals that move and make noises...



Besp-Oak have been stopping SOLEX visitors in their tracks with their Animalatronics, a series of lifelike animals that move and make noises.

The company are promoting the attractions as follows:

"Want to bring some magic to your store, amaze your customers and increase footfall?

"Enchant and excite your customers, young and old, with life-like movements and sounds.

"Fantastically unique attractions that are certain to generate custom for your store."

See the Animalatronics on stand 250.

Solar crystal ball sales soar thanks to new POS
The Solar Centre's popular post-mounted Aria solar crystal ball lights are setting sales records thanks to new POS presentation...


The Solar Centre's popular post-mounted Aria solar crystal ball lights are setting sales records thanks to new POS presentation.

The Aria is available in hanging and post versions - but the post version was slow to sell in its old boxed packaging.
"We talked to retailers and decided to do away with the box and display them in the new merchandiser - and since then they've been flying off the shelf," David told SOLEX Sun.

Margins are good, with single merchandiser deals at a unit price of £7 and an SRP of £19.99, but an SRP of £15.99 is achievable on bulk orders.

A new colour-changing version of the Aria is proving popular. 

Click here to see our full range of pictures

Solex 2014 Sunday 083.jpg

Take a whistle-stop tour with our picture special LIVE from SOLEX 2014


To register for your place at SOLEX click here

 
Rose Round 8 seater from Zest 4 Leisure is a winner
The Rose Round 8 seater from Zest 4 Leisure is a great product to enjoy a beautiful outdoor dining experience with the family and friends...



The Rose Round 8 seater from Zest 4 Leisure is a great product to enjoy a beautiful outdoor dining experience with the family and friends. 

Featuring four separate bench seats Rose Round Picnic Table will easily accommodate eight average adults. Manufactured from high quality pressure treated timber to stand the test of time, this picnic table comes with 10 years guarantee against rot.

The Katie  Round Picnic Table on the stand at Solex is a also great product to enjoy a beautiful outdoor picnic. Featuring four separate bench seats it will accommodate up to four adults or even eight children for a fun picnic. It has proved popular at the exhibition.

Zest 4 Leisure are on stand 450.

 
New furniture range inspired by Monterey Bay
Monterey Range is Barlow Tyrie’s interpretation of mid-century modern design, inspired by Monterey Bay on central California’s Pacific coast...


Monterey Range is Barlow Tyrie’s interpretation of mid-century modern design, inspired by Monterey Bay on central California’s Pacific coast.

This elegant armchair is built using quality materials and refined traditional construction methods. It’s reassuring to ‘know’ that our designer and craftsman have created a ‘true-classic’ in the making, with style and comfortable to match our Barlow Tyrie standard for outdoor leisure furniture.

Sculptured using a solid teak frame with braided cord for seat and back, combine to give a timeless appearance. The round braided cord is woven from Olefin (a key feature is it’s light fastness) and Textilene making it rugged with a soft hand, it repels water and UV inhibitors stop fading.

To complete the set of ‘traditional values’, plus the legendry properties of teak, we have our Monterey dining table; 3m long that seats 12 comfortably and combines an easy to clean ceramic table top with the traditional solid teak frame and legs.

This refined style of chair and table go together to create a truly impressive set of dining furniture.

Catch Barlow Tyrie on stand 215.


 
'Cool' looking cool boxes from Garden Furniture Global
How about this for a cool box? Yes, you can have a game of table football while your beer is cooling in a compartment beneath. And there are more great cool boxes on the Garden Furniture Global stand (245)...


How about this for a cool box? Yes, you can have a game of table football while your beer is cooling in a compartment beneath. And there are more great cool boxes on the Garden Furniture Global stand (245).

 
Swivel chair proves popular from Jigsaw
New LOFA members Jigsaw Furniture are having a great first SOLEX and their Swivel T42 chair and Andora Suite are both proving popular with visitors to the stand (550)...


New LOFA members Jigsaw Furniture are having a great first SOLEX and their Swivel T42 chair and Andora Suite are both proving popular with visitors to the stand (550).

"Our collections have been well received by retailers visiting our stand," said Ian Green.

"There has been lots of interest for the Swivel T42 chair, and the Andora Suite is popular because it's ideal for both outdoor and indoor use. The Andora is also very good value for money - in fact we've doubled our sales on the range this year."

Jigsaw Furniture are based in Middlesbrough and they supply both the commercial and retail markets.

 
Urbano collection gets visitors talking on the Kettler stand
The Swing-Let, a unique swinging tray on a stand from Kettler's Urbano collection, is demonstrated here by Paul Bevington... 

The Urbano collection includes Alto, a stylish, tall white mesh table with six stools that would look equally at home in a modern garden, on the patio or set against a city skyline on a roof terrace.

Urbano also features Happy, a bright stackable armchair that comes in a range of colours.

The Happy chair teams up with the Swing-Let, a unique swinging tray on a stand, helping the design-conscious consumer to stay refreshed whilst enjoying the summer sun. The Swing-Let is demonstrated here by Paul Bevington.

Kettler are on stand 505.

 
Cobb add gas to their portable cooking system
Visitors to SOLEX will be the first to see the new gas version of the Cobb barbecue cooking system...
Visitors to SOLEX will be the first to see the new gas version of the Cobb barbecue cooking system.

The award winning Cobb system - popular in its home territory of South Africa, where it is endorsed by the South African Heart Foundation, is a portable system ideal for campers, caravanners and beach picnickers but offers all the benefits of a full-sized barbecue. You can use it to roast, bake, smoke, fry and grill in a smart unit made largely of stainless steel.

Unveiled for ther first time in the UK at SOLEX  is the new gas model which joined its charcoal-fuelled siblings just this week.

 
Chesapeake is an extensive new collection from Barlow Tyrie
Barlow Tyrie have unveiled Chesapeake at SOLEX, an extensive new collection in solid teak, initially comprising an armchair, side chair, innovative swivel rocker complete with Sunbrella fabrick cushions and dining tables in two lengths – 2 metre and 2.8 metre.


Barlow Tyrie have unveiled Chesapeake at SOLEX, an extensive new collection in solid teak, initially comprising an armchair, side chair, innovative swivel rocker complete with Sunbrella fabrick cushions and dining tables in two lengths – 2 metre and 2.8 metre.

The range is being extended to include 113cm circular low dining tables, lounger and deep seating in the near future.

Its 'look' marries aspects of the traditional, such as rolled armrests on the chairs and rolled edges with curved sides to the dining table, with clean, crisp contemporary touches that include nylon glides on the bottom of tapered legs.

Barlow Tyrie are on stand 215.
 

SOLEX takes place in Hall 5 of the NEC in Birmingham.

The exhibition is open for three days – Monday and Tuesday, July 7-8, 9am to 5.30pm; and Wednesday, July 9, 9am to 5pm.

There are large car parks at the NEC, and parking will be free 

To register your place for SOLEX click here

For more infomration about SOLEX visit the exhibition website at www.lofa.co.uk/SOLEX

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