Glencrest was founded in 1980 by Jack Whiteley and David Marren who started business with the name Leisure International.

Soon they were trading and needed to limit the company but Leisure International had already been registered so they bought Glencrest Ltd off the shelf.

After a few years they also registered the company Seatex ltd.

Jack and David fell out as most business partners do and David left going to work with a competitor. Jack carried on the company working from his back bedroom at home and today Glencrest has very impressive premises, fully racked out and complete with a 4,000ft showroom, is over 45,000 square feet in Leigh on Sea, Essex.

Their range of garden cushions, parasols and parasol bases is where they started and today most garden centres and retailers of outdoor products sell their cushions and Parasols.

"The reason our products are bestselling is the packaging where 4 colour cartons, reusable hanging display bags for the cushions means retailers don’t have to advise customers on their products the packaging says it all," said Jack.

Quality has always been their main priority and now Katie Blake Furniture is by far their largest side of the business, growing 40% this season  – they are expanding the range further.

Lots of new products will be on show at SOLEX.

Jack has now semi-retired acting as Chairman and CEO and the role of Managing Director is in the hands of Stephen Potter. Together with Steve Wain National Accounts Manager, they see another increase in turnover for 2019.

Steve Wain is always amazed with the volume of the Cushion and Parasol business, Steve says it is so important to Glencrest who as Market Leaders have to guess the expected sales a year in advance. Very difficult to get the stock holding right as very few customers place their orders early and we have to gaze into our crystal ball every year to decide what and how many to stock.

Everyone at Glencrest Seatex is excited about 2019 and they look forward to seeing you at SOLEX.