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Bramblecrest scooped the Best Stand at SOLEX and received the trophy from Mark Osborne, chairman of LOFA, on the first day of the show.
The judges were particularly impressed with the open, easy to view stand. It was well co-ordinated, and the use of plants gave the stand a natural look.
The Supremo stand was judged the second best, and Beefeater came third.
Supremo picked up the Best New Product Award for its 'Fire-Pit table...
The judges - Chris McCormack, past chairman of LOFA, and Iain Wylie, chief executive of the GCA - were impressed with the design of the 'Fire-Pit' table.
"We liked the neat arrangement for disguising the gas bottle, and also the Resysta wood" said the judges.
The Best New Product Award was presented by Mark Osborne, chairman of LOFA.
Alexander Rose celebrate in style
This year's SOLEX sees Alexander Rose's largest ever product launch as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations. Through the its wood, weave and metal ranges there are dozens of new lines to suit every taste and budget.
This year's SOLEX sees Alexander Rose's largest ever product launch as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations. Through the its wood, weave and metal ranges there are dozens of new lines to suit every taste and budget.
The Sherwood range has been the talking point for many buyers, matching a traditional feel with stylish looks. Crafted from sturdy Acacia with a clever hand-finished texture, this extensive collection of furniture boasts true Alexander Rose quality at an affordable price.
Alexander Rose's comfortable Beach Lounge collection now has a range of dining options, with the same blend of comfort and practicality. Simply titled "Fresco", the powder-coated aluminium frames are matched with a range of tops either in Roble wood, durable HPL or with a slatted aluminium finish.
The award-winning Cordial collection has also been enhanced with the addition of a range of dining furniture. Boasting the same marine-grade rope for durability, table options are available in a wide range of sizes and styles.
Brought back as a one-off to celebrate their 25th birthday, the stunning Chorus bench has also proved a real talking point this year. The retro lines and intricate detail of the back of the bench demonstrate its quality, while the price has been kept exactly the same as it was when the bench was first launched!! A limited run of 500 benches has been made, and these are selling very fast!
With many other brand new designs across every range, the team at Alexander Rose are confident that their extensive collections of furniture at this year's Solex showcase the very best of outdoor living options for sitting, dining and relaxing.
Alexander Rose are additionally running a competition at Solex this year as part of their anniversary celebrations, which offers the chance to win one of 25 luxury spa weekends for two at the exclusive South Lodge Hotel in leafy Sussex. With a limited number of golden tickets available, the competition has proved popular with customers both old and new.
Visit Borge, Georgia and the team at stand 215 for more details on Alexander Rose's product offering for the 2019 season, and for the chance to win that luxury spa weekend for two!
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 At Katie Blake the designs are what the market wants. No fussy designer ideas, no quirky bits of furniture no silly statements just simple garden furniture that appeals to 90% of the population.
How many times do you take up valuable floor space with a special looking piece that your told sells well and end up showing it all season then having to clear it.
From Katie Blake you will get furniture that your customers want at the price they want and at a quality that normally comes with more expensive furniture. Katie Blake are very confident they have it right and that’s because they haven’t lost a customer since the beginning 6 years ago, indeed those early customers are now selling container loads something they never expected.
Having been in business since 1980 some 38 years, Glencrest Seatex the holding company have built a reputation with their Cushions and Parasols that makes them number one in that field. Always the principle has been quality at a sensible price and that follows through with Katie Blake.
Based in Essex they have their own fleet of lorries delivering all over the UK so from their 45,000sqft Warehouse they deliver Garden Furniture, Cushions, Parasols and Parasol Bases from stock.
The people at Glencrest are nice to deal with and you are more than welcome on our Stand at SOLEX and our showroom in Essex at any time. Glencrest will pay for your travel expenses to Essex just speak to either Steven Potter or Steven Wain to arrange a visit.
Sales Email: sales@glencrestseatex.co.uk
T: 0044(0)1702 527814
Web: www.katieblake.co.uk.
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Zest is a success at SOLEX 2018
Zest 4 Leisure created a buzz at SOLEX with the launch of its new range of products and with its unique ‘double decker’ stand...
Zest 4 Leisure created a buzz at SOLEX with the launch of its new range of products and with its unique ‘double decker’ stand.
The company’s brand new, high quality furniture proved to be a huge success once again at this year’s SOLEX event. Visitors were delighted with the company’s outdoor timber garden furniture for the 2019 season. There was a flood of interest in the new Noah’s Arbour and it was the product that particularly ‘wowed’ visitors to the two-tiered stand.
New Zest 4 Leisure products on show at this year’s SOLEX event included:
- Noah’s Arbour
- Noah’s Picnic Table
- Maisy Set comprising of two folding chairs and a folding table
- The Millie Bench
- The Poppy Round Table
- Miami 3 Seater Swing
- Christina Set complete with cushions
Zest 4 Leisure’s hero product for 2019 is the stunning Noah’s Arbour, so-called because its design is reminiscent of Noah’s Ark. A completely new concept to the market, it has a combined roof and floor and comes complete with a picnic table and two benches inside, offering ample space for six people to dine comfortably, come rain or shine!
The Maisy Set is Zest’s 4 Leisure’s answer to ‘easy’ outdoor seating. Comprising of two low folding chairs and a small folding table, this ‘bistro’ set is both stylish and portable. Not just for patios or the garden, the Maisy Set is portable and could easily be used in the park or at the beach.
Another big product for Zest 4 Leisure is the Christina Set, perfect for customers who frequently entertain al fresco, consisting of two benches, two chairs, a side table, and a large coffee table. Designed with angled backs to both chairs and benches for comfort and to create a naturally relaxed atmosphere, the set comes complete with deep green cushions to suit outdoor settings.
Finally, Zest 4 Leisure launched a larger Miami Swing Seat complete with wooden canopy. This Miami 3 Seater Swing Seat offers comfortable seating and can easily accommodate three people making it perfect for families with larger gardens.
From gazebos to dining sets, Zest 4 Leisure’s outdoor living furniture is always of a high quality, with a focus on comfort and style - bringing the indoors outdoors.
Alwyn Williams, Zest 4 Leisure’s Sales Manager, said: “We are delighted with the response to our new products and would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has visited our SOLEX stand over the last three days.
“Our aim is to constantly improve upon our successes with new concept products like our Noah’s Arbour, as well as responding to customer feedback with extensions of existing customer favourites and bestsellers.
“We are over the moon with the positive reaction we have received at SOLEX this year and we look forward to taking our 2019 product range to market.”
Next year, Zest 4 Leisure plans to cement its place as leaders in outdoor furniture manufacturing, by adding further high quality timber products to the company’s already successful range, based upon customer feedback and past successes.
To find out more about Zest 4 Leisure visit: www.zest4leisure.co.uk
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Norfolk Leisure LIFE brand showcased 30 different ranges
It's was family affair on the Norfolk Leisure stand as Debbie Waudby introduced her daughter Jasmine to her first SOLEX appearance. They're pictured on the new Nevada corner seating units and co-ordinating table from the company's popular LIFE brand, which showcased 30 ranges at the show...
It's was family affair on the Norfolk Leisure stand as Debbie Waudby introduced her daughter Jasmine to her first SOLEX appearance. They're pictured on the new Nevada corner seating units and co-ordinating table from the company's popular LIFE brand, which showcased 30 ranges at the show.
LIFE is an aspirational brand now well established in the UK market. All models features the all-weather cushions unique to the brand. This exceptional cushion retains its shape, colour and unique features for the whole life of the furniture and does not deteriorate.
Norfolk Leisure are one of the first companies to achieve LOFAssured certification, which included an exceptional result on the LIFE cushions when tested by FIRA.
Thirty different models from LIFE are on display at SOLEX, including the TIMBER range with an adjustable height aluminium and textilene table, the jaw dropping NEVADA.
Norfolk Leisure successfully trialled a clever shop-in-shop concept in 2018 and will be offering it to more centres following resulting growth in sales.
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What success looks like!
With nearly 30 years’ experience in the outdoor leisure industry, La Hacienda is committed to providing its customers with high quality products and excellent customer service. And the category champions of Outdoor Heating certainly impressed visitors of SOLEX at the NEC...
With nearly 30 years’ experience in the outdoor leisure industry, La Hacienda is committed to providing its customers with high quality products and excellent customer service. And the category champions of Outdoor Heating certainly impressed visitors of SOLEX at the NEC.
Visitors to the La Hacienda stand were the first to see some exciting new additions to their successful outdoor heating lines, including the impressive ‘Brava’ from their range of large, deep bowl firepits.
Substantial in size, the Brava features an eye-catching bold banded design, and is a must for any serious collection.
La Hacienda also extended its highly successful Oxidised firepit collection with the addition of the ‘Icarus’ which can be seen alongside their best-selling ‘Moho’ firepit.
The naturally oxidised cast iron bowl contrasts beautifully with the contemporary designed black stand. Simple, sturdy, yet aesthetic, the Icarus is a particular favourite with visitors.
“Following another stellar year for sales - our best yet - our team have upped their game even further. SOLEX is the perfect place for us to exhibit our new product offerings and demonstrate our continuous improvement to our market-leading range,” Simon Goodwin, Global Merchandise Manager said.
Showcasing the latest outdoor heating influences, La Hacienda’s expert sales team are on hand to talk to retailers and advise how they can make the most of the outdoor entertaining trend.
To learn more about La Hacienda’s new offerings and how they can help your business, visit www.lahacienda.co.uk. Enquiries can also be made by contacting the team on email: sales@lahacienda.co.uk or phone 01285 762 060.
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The revolutionary new Weather Shield fabric proved to be a massive attraction for visitors to the A. Mir and Co stand.
Experience the art of innovation and discover how ‘Weather Shield’ is set to revolutionise the world of outdoor furniture.
Here’s a brand new fabric that’s waterproof (not just resistant but genuinely waterPROOF), stainproof, UV-resistant and luxuriously soft to the touch.
Torrential rain? No problem, just shake it dry. Red wine or ketchup spills? No problem, just wipe it clean.
Try it for yourself on the A. Mir stand – and find out why, with years of experience in the outdoor furniture industry, the company are renowned as the market leaders.
Working closely with their customers, A. Mir create a wide range of unique designs.
There was a special area on the A. Mir stand where demonstrations of Weather Shield's amazing features were on display.
"We've been amazed by the interest from retailers," said director Abid Mir. "Visitors have been wowed by Weather Shield.
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The British-made B-bag has been an instant success for Extreme Lounging, and judging by the interest shown at SOLEX the company's new hammock could prove just as popular.
"This new product has been 18 months in the making but it has been worth the effort," said director Joe Shrimpton. "We had a really good response at SOLEX.
"We feel that this product has modernised the hammock. It can comfortably hold two people, and comes in a variety of colours."
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LeisureGrow's stand at SOLEX created lots of interest with visitors eager to see the company's stylish new ranges.
Now in its 20th year, LeisureGrow has grown as a business yet one thing remains the same – the company has managed to keep to the core values it had when it first started out...a promise to deliver:
- Carefully designed products
- No compromise on quality
- Customer service you can rely on 12 months a year
Visitors to the LeisureGrow stand were amazed at the innovation of materials on all the furniture sets as well as the variety of the ranges.
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The popular Jupiter 4 and 6-burner barbecues were still proving to be a big hit with visitors to the Outback stand.
Guaranteed to make an impact in any garden or patio setting, the Jupiter 4 burner Stainless Steel was developed for the 2017 market, and proved the value of research that told Outback the sleek, shiny design would appeal to up-market consumers.
Four stainless steel main burners, an infrared side sear burner, two porcelain-coated cast iron grills and an interchangeable multi-choice grill for the optional pizza stone, griddle and wok accessories are included.
The double-skin roasting hood and body come pre-assembled, and a cabinet, side table and metal base add ample storage space.
A warming rack, thermometer, heat gauge, easy to clean drip tray, flame tamers, tool rack and bottle opener make this a winning combination.
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Broadcaster and writer David Domoney, brand ambassador on the Hartman stand at SOLEX, demonstrated the company’s latest all-weather cushions, which have been rolled out across the company’s garden furniture ranges.
“It wasn’t that long ago that you couldn’t leave any garden furniture out all year round,” David (below) said, “Now you can even leave the cushions out in a downpour.”
Hartman Weatheready permeable cushions are made from a water-resistant fabric that allows water to bead and run off. In heavier persistent rain, water penetrates the sewing seams but flows through the permeable fabric and out through the mesh base beneath.
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 The stacking firepits proved to be hugely popular on the Woodlodge stand with a great level of interest from groups and independents.
"People love the display, commenting that it’s an easy way to add outdoor heating into garden centres without the need for too much space, big displays and a large amount of packaging," said sales manager Chris Brookman.
The price point of £99.99 for a 75cm cast firepit is also hugely competitive.
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A new gothic tunnel from Ascalon has proved a big hit with SOLEX garden centre visitors who want it for their Christmas displays.
Garden centres have been telling Ascalon’s MD Rhodri Stokes-Rhys (above left, with sales agent Mark Purkis) that the 2.4m by 4m gothic tunnel will make a perfect entrance for Christmas departments – and some have requested delivery by October for the start of the festive sales season. “We shall now be working on that challenge with our factory!” Rhodri told SOLEX SUN.
The powder-coated steel tunnel, which will carry a five-year warranty, is designed to sell at around £1,250.
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Hayes Garden World and Silverbirch Garden Centre won Gold Awards in GTN's Greatest Outdoor Leisure Sales Team Awards, presented at SOLEX 2018...
After all of the judges visits to meet nominated Outdoor Leisure Sales Teams here are the winners in each category:
The Greatest Outdoor Furniture Sales Team
- Bronze Award – Poplars Garden Centre
- Silver Award – Hillview Garden Centres
- Gold Award – Silverbirch Garden Centre
The Greatest BBQ & Outdoor Furniture Sales Team
- Bronze Award – Chessington Garden Centre
- Silver Award – Blue Diamond Garden Centres
- Gold Award – Hayes Garden World
Presenting the awards at a drinks reception, kindly provided by sponsors SOLEX, GTN's MD Trevor Pfeiffer said: "the judges have seen excellent examples of high quality retailing this year with plenty of effort going in to add on sales across the outdoor leisure sector that are increasing customer satisfaction and profitability."
"Where great teamwork is added to excellent retail standards that's when success is even greater," he added. "That's why our awards seek to find and celebrate the really great teams who are making a difference and setting new levels of performance that others can strive for."
You'll be able to read more about the winners and see pictures taken by the judges during their visits in future issues of Garden Trade News and the e-mail newsletter GTN Xtra.
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4Seasons Outdoor are ready for UK's changing tastes
While the UK market’s appetite for cutting-edge contemporary design lags behind the rest of Europe, there are signs that tastes might be changing – and new lines from SOLEX exhibitors 4Seasons Outdoor are ready for the transition…
While the UK market’s appetite for cutting-edge contemporary design lags behind the rest of Europe, there are signs that tastes might be changing – and new lines from SOLEX exhibitors 4Seasons Outdoor are ready for the transition…
 New dark charcoal Mila dining chairs, a knitted rope design on a metal frame, are accompanied buy a contrasting Global oval ceramic table – together, one of the most distinctive new sets in the show.The rope is colour-fast and easily wiped clean.
Elsewhere on the 4Seasons stand, you’ll find products that combine synthetic rattan weave with metal or wood, bridging the gap between the familiar and the more contemporary - all designed in-house.
Low-level platform lounge sets are already well established in the European market and 4Seasons believe the UK may be about to follow the trend.
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Visitors to the LifestyleGarden stand were wowed by the extensive ranges of outdoor furniture, particularly the Martinique and Ipanema collections.
Perfect for entertaining or everyday relaxation in the outdoors at home, the Martinique is an elegant addition to the range. A perfect blend of delicate rounded edges and deep comfortable cushions, the seating is relaxing and versatile. Rust-resistant frames and fully recyclable Petan.
For those times when you want some genuine relaxation without leaving your outdoor area, try the Ipanema. Teak, Aluminium, Olefin Rope and Duranite are used in combination across the range to stunningly sophisticated effect, resulting in a mixed media range that ticks all the boxes.
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Updated barbecues from Napoleon are designed to tap into the sales growth of mid-price units as consumers trade up from entry-level.
The brand’s Rogue models have been beefed up with larger hoods and finessed styling.
Napoleon’s UK sales manager Martin Sobey (pictured) believes the high-specification Rogue SE 425 at around £1,000 SRP is particularly competitive.
Premier Decorations have more than doubled the size of their Outdoor Living Company range, which has proved a sizeable success with garden centres following its launch at SOLEX last year.
Among additions for the new season are new flicker-flame and trickle-fountain battery-operated candles, many of which can now be operated with a remote control handset.
Among popular POS potions are carousel, pillar and pedestal units and a number of FSDUs.
There are many themes ranges, including a striking new collection in black and white designs (below).
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If you’re searching for a trend, then contemporary styling in aluminium garden furniture could be it.
On the Kettler stand, LOFA past chairman Paul Bevington believes the UK may follow European markets, where the clean lines and low maintenance requirements of the latest aluminium designs have become hugely popular with discriminating consumers. Kettler's Paros models are examples on the stand.
 Currently, synthetic rattan weave holds sway as the most popular style with British consumers, and Paul believes this is likely to continue. But he also predicts consumers of the future may aspire to something more in line European tastes. “We’re seeing how it goes,” he told SOLEX SUN.
Also new from Kettler are barbecue accessories and a stylish food preparation table and store cupboard in the Everdure from Heston Blumenthal range.
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The 'LOFAssured' initiative ensures that all cushions sold by members comply with current government fire safety regulations.
LOFA is raising awareness of fire safety standards/regulations for garden furniture cushions in this young campaign and, already, 23 members are certified with 15 in progress and soon to be completed.
A Mir & Co - www.a-mir.co.uk
Bramblecrest - www.bramblecrest.com
Cane Industries - www.caneindustries.co.uk
Culcita - www.culcita.ie
Daro – www.daro-cane.co.uk
Desser - www.desser.co.uk
Europa Leisure – www.europaleisure.co.uk
Extreme Lounging- www.extremelounging.com
Firmans Direct Ltd - firmansdirect.com
Glencrest Seatex Ltd – www.glencrestseatex.co.uk
Glendale Garden and Leisure – www.glendale-leisure.com
Hampson Agencies – www.jati-kebon.com
Hartman UK - www.hartmanuk.com
John Robertson Ltd - www.johnrobertson.ltd.uk
Kettler (GB) Limited – www.kettler.co.uk
Leisure Plan – www.leisureplan.co.uk
Lifestyle Garden - www.lifestylegarden.com
Maze Rattan -www.mazerattan.com
Munro Importers -pagodafurniture.co.uk
Norfolk Leisure Lifestyle Limited – www.norfolkleisure.com
Pacific Lifestyle Ltd - www.pacific-lifestyle.co.uk
Quest Leisure Products Ltd – www.questleisure.com
Supremo UK – www.supremouk.com
One of the conditions of LOFA membership is that members must adhere to a code of conduct, part of which is compliance with all current legislation; it is this culture of propriety that the retailer and customer buy into when they source product from LOFA members.
LOFAssured is a distinguishing factor setting LOFA products apart from other non-compliant suppliers. LOFA appointed FIRA (Furniture Industry Research Association) and entered into a Primary Authority Partnership with HertfordshireTrading Standards to aid the members in their quest for full compliance.
For further information on the Leisure and Outdoor Furniture Association, call 02392 258844 or visit www.lofa.co.uk and www.lofassured.co.uk.
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LOFA make £10,000 donation to Greenfingers Charity
Greenfingers Charity were presented with a cheque for £10,000 from LOFA on the first day of SOLEX. Linda Petrons, director of fundraising and communications, received the donation from Mark Osborne, chairman of LOFA...
Greenfingers Charity were presented with a cheque for £10,000 from LOFA on the first day of SOLEX.
Linda Petrons, director of fundraising and communications, received the donation from Mark Osborne, chairman of LOFA.
Linda said: "We're enormously grateful to LOFA for their continued support. We're delighted to receive this donation, which will help to ensure that a new woodland garden in East London will become a reality later in the year."
The mighty Atom from Barlow Tyrie...
Barlow Tyrie unveiled a small handful of new lines at SOLEX, whetting the appetite for a full roll-out of launches later in the season. James Tyrie is pictured with the new Atom design...
Barlow Tyrie unveiled a small handful of new lines at SOLEX, whetting the appetite for a full roll-out of launches later in the season. James Tyrie is pictured with the new Atom design.
James told SOLEX SUN that because the company makes most of its own products, it reaps the benefit of shorter manufacturing lead times, so many of 2019’s innovations are still under development, without compromising delivery schedules.
SOLEX visitors get an exclusive preview of the Atom range of table and chairs being introduced for the new season. The chairback not only represents the iconic atomic symbol but also enables an innovative means of attaching the back support cushion (see picture, right).
 Also new are a new Titan square pedestal table and bar stool in the Rustic Teak range (see left).
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Does the drift towards city living and the growing number of single-person households mean people have to sacrifice the pleasures of barbecuing? No, say BBQ specialists Cadac.
Compact barbecues like Cadac’s Citi Chef 40 are easily accommodated on the smallest patio or balcony – and don’t even need a large bottle of gas. They can supply a 500g gas canister with regulator valve that will do the job just as well, whether cooking for one or a small family.
Cadac’s Jeff Moore believes there is exciting potential for garden centres to promote the Citi Chef, which sells at retail for £170-£180, to this market sector, many of whom are also already loyal to the Cadac brand through purchases in the camping and caravanning category, where the company is a market leader.
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Outstanding collection from Tramontina
Whether it be barbecues, traditional Sunday lunch or any other gathering with family and friends the outstanding collection of steak knives, carving sets, and barbecue utensils from Tramontina will ensure the most memorable of times...
Whether it be barbecues, traditional Sunday lunch or any other gathering with family and friends the outstanding collection of steak knives, carving sets, and barbecue utensils from Tramontina will ensure the most memorable of times.
With high quality dishwasher safe polywood (real wood) handles, which uniquely come with a 5-year warranty, the Original Jumbo steak knife and fork epitomises the stylish good looks and high quality of the brand.
For further information:
TRAMONTINA UNITED KINGDOM LIMITED – Tel: +44 (0) 20 3176 4557 / +44 (0) 20 3176 4558
E: contactl@tramontinauk.com: www.tramontina.com
BBQ Ben – aka Ben Bartlett – was a big success on the Grillstream stand, serving up scrumptious food for visitors.
 On the menu were special Taco dishes (Tuesday), which were followed by Wagyu beef (Wednesday) and fish (Thursday), all cooked on a Grillstream BBQ.
Visitors didn't go hungry if they went on the Grillstream stand.
Instant sound for your garden
Lithe Audio - the innovative UK AV brand - is bringing 'instant' sound for your garden with a simple plug and play all-in-one Bluetooth rock speaker designed to fit discreetly into your surroundings while delivering exceptional sound quality...
Lithe Audio - the innovative UK AV brand - is bringing 'instant' sound for your garden with a simple plug and play all-in-one Bluetooth rock speaker designed to fit discreetly into your surroundings while delivering exceptional sound quality.
Unlike other garden speakers that require drilling and cabling from inside the house, and a separate amplifier, the Lithe Audio rock speaker has the amplifier built-in and Bluetooth built in, simply plug in to an outdoor socket - and play!
This unique rock speaker is perfect for entertaining outdoors and keen gardeners. And of course, it's fully waterproof - making it ideal for English Summers! Combining high quality, pin-sharp audio, this is the must have outdoor speaker solution for year-round audio. Just power up, connect your phone or tablet, stream off Spotify, You Tube or your personal playlists, and let the good times rock.
"We're excited to bring to the market an all-in-one, plug-and-play speaker that has the amplifier and Bluetooth contained in one weatherproof unit," says Amit Ravat, managing director for Lithe Audio.
"We've had a great response from garden centres at SOLEX - both from groups and independents.
"Our product is the perfect solution for outdoor entertaining - and with the exceptional sound quality, it will really make your summer parties and BBQs rock!"
Launch deals are available with full retail display units. Visit Lithe Audio on Stand 575 at Solex or for more details - www.litheaudio.com
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Kadai Firebowls by Wilstone returned to SOLEX for the fourth year running to showcase a variety of current best-selling products and a selection of new arrivals for 2019.
Visitors saw the existing Kadai firebowls, plus a new improved design featuring a heavy duty bottom, accompanied by a five-year warranty.
The show-stopping metre-wide Wilstone Kadai with Tripod Pulley System (pictured) will be making an appearance, perfect for cooking food that needs to be temperature controlled. The Tripod Pulley System is amongst the latest must have gadgets for live fire cooking, the hottest new trend on the barbecue scene.
New for 2018/19 is the Kadai Woodfired Pizza Oven, a fantastic one-of-a-kind cooking accessory that sits on top of the Kadai bowl to bring that wow factor to social events.
Take a look, too, at their gazebos and rose arches, both of which come with a 10 year warranty as well as the Decorative Diamond Plant Obelisk, which comes with a five-year warranty.
The company also took along new shields for the Kadais, garden plant sticks, recycled garden furniture and an extensive firebowl accessory range.
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Char-Broil showcased key products from its award-winning ranges, including the Kamander kamado-style grill, the Gas2Coal hybrid and its ‘TRU Infrared’ Professional BBQs.
Char-Broil is the leading family-based US brand that has been making and innovating barbecues since 1948, making 2018 the 70th Anniversary year for the brand. Char-Boil offers a broad range of high quality gas and charcoal grills and a comprehensive range of matching grill accessories, which will also be on show.
Char-Broil is an innovator in infrared cooking technology. Its industry-leading TRU-Infrared technology ensures an even distribution of heat every time, without any messy flare-ups – and locking in mouth-watering flavour with 50% juicier results.
Char-Broil also has the Dancook range as part of its portfolio. 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.
The Gas2Coal hybrid grill, puts to rest the debate over the perfect fuel. For many consumers, that smoky charcoal taste is a key ingredient for the perfect grilling experience, but it’s hard to beat the convenience of gas. As an innovation leader, Char-Broil has combined the best of both worlds in its new Gas2Coal grill.
In less than 60 seconds, grill masters can switch fuels – based on their mood or the type of meat – without ever having to compromise again. But Char-Broil didn’t stop there – to ensure the perfect performance of the Gas2Coal, the grilling surface has been designed to circulate air from top to bottom so that the charcoal burns in the same direction, ensuring much better use of radiant heat and greater energy efficiency.
W: charbroil.com
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Campingaz built on its presence in the barbecue and garden market at SOLEX as it showcased its highly-acclaimed ‘Master Series’ gas barbecue collection.
This impressive range includes the all-black editions and directly targets the more premium end of the market. Designed at the company’s headquarters in France and available in 3 and 4 burner versions, the Master Series range combines clever, user-friendly technologies with a striking and durable construction.
Developed for serious barbecue enthusiasts that demand the same cooking functionality and versatility outdoors as they do inside, the Master Series LXS four and three burner models have been created to offer the ultimate in cooking performance.
Among many accolades throughout 2018, the Master 4 Series LXS was crowned National BBQ Week’s ‘Best of the Best Barbecue’ due to the great performance and stylish looks.
Cooking for a group is made easy with its ingenious Culinary Modular Accessory system (accessories available separately). Roast with the specially designed poultry roaster, stir-fry on the non- stick steel wok, serve up a pizza from the pizza stone or whip up a paella. All accessories insert into the removable inner cast-iron grid ring for ultimate cooking flexibility to effortlessly create a diverse range of dishes.
For unrivalled cooking performance, the Master Series LXS features a premium, enamelled cast iron cooking surface that offers outstanding heat retention. The barbecue’s powerful stainless tube burners feature an impressive 10 year warranty.
Campingaz has teamed up with leading DIY, gardening and houseware provider DECCO to ensure availability across all channels throughout the UK during 2019.
W: campingaz.com
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Get into hot tubs say RotoSpa
RotoSpa, the UK’s only manufacturers of hot tubs, are proving increasingly popular with consumers in the outdoor living marketing. With online searches for ‘hot tubs’ increasing by almost a third from May 2017 to May 2018, the demand for an affordable luxury lifestyle continues to grow.
RotoSpa, the UK’s only manufacturers of hot tubs, are proving increasingly popular with consumers in the outdoor living marketing. With online searches for ‘hot tubs’ increasing by almost a third from May 2017 to May 2018, the demand for an affordable luxury lifestyle continues to grow.
Searches for ‘hard-shell hot tubs’ increased by 36% and in particular, searches for ‘RotoSpa’ increased by 10,000 searches from May 2017 to May 2018, suggesting that this is a niche the garden centres should be investigating for their outdoor living departments.
As the ‘staycation’ market also increases, consumers will be looking for products that will ensure they can ‘holiday’ in the comfort of their own home, for the same price.
RotoSpa, who made their first SOLEX appearance, are keen to establish a dialogue with garden centres and explore ways to increase footfall and online searches for their outlets.
Pictured: RotoSpa's sales director Jason Smith at SOLEX on one of the display stands.
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Jacqui and Myles Podmore greeted visitors to the Tripod Home stand where lots of interest was shown in Root Flower Dining set.
Tripod Home are specialists in unusual, rustic furniture and statuary imported from all over Asia. The company has imported a wide variety of items from Asia for more than 20 years, so you can be sure of the best quality products.
The range is eclectic and thought provoking offering something truly different.
Through constantly developing new products, either designing our own or sourcing from our suppliers, the range is constantly changing to keep it fresh and inspiring.
The imposing cart on the Tripod Home also caught visitors' attention.
See the picture gallery
Garden Trade News were at the NEC early on the Monday to capture all the action from the build-up to the three-day SOLEX. See the picture gallery below...
See you there next year
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"The exhibition looked fantastic and there was a buzz about the place," said organiser Phil Gibbs (pictured right). "We had a great show and all the feedback has been very positive."
