Bord Bia Amenity Horticulture Awards 2013

Last Friday 8th March Bord Bia held its annual National Amenity Horticulture Quality Awards tonight in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry, Dublin with 180 industry representatives in attendance. The Awards recognise and promote excellence across three key sectors of the industry while celebrating the industry’s dedication to achieving the highest standards of operation. This year Bord Bia awarded 36 garden centres; 4 ornamental growers and 14 landscape service providers, which have successfully achieved the standards as set out by its Quality Assurance Programmes.

Speaking at the event, Aidan Cotter, Chief Executive, Bord Bia stated, “An industry worth some €50 million annually, Ireland’s amenity horticulture sector has come through difficult times and today stands as a determined player in our sustainable economic future. The quality, high standards and dedication shown by this year’s winners displays the strength and determination of this industry in light of the great challenges it currently faces. The commitment to excellence of these award recipients inspires confidence in the future of the sector.”

The overall category winners on the night were:

Large Garden Centre of the Year.      Orchard Home and Garden, Cellbridge, Co. Kildare

Small Garden Centre of the Year.       Cois na hAbhann, Garden, Home & Lifestyle Centre, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford

Landscape Business of the Year.      SAP Landscapes, Maynooth, Co. Kildare

Ornamental Grower of the Year.        Annaveigh Plants, Cashel, Co. Tipperary

Mr. Cotter added “We have noted that Quality Award recipients pride themselves on delivering above and beyond consumer expectation. These companies are investing substantially in training, infrastructure and procedures to attain a Bord Bia Quality Award allowing consumers to benefit greatly from them.”

One of Ireland’s well known entrepreneurs, founder of O’Brien’s Irish Sandwich Bars and Camile Thai Kitchen Group, Brody Sweeney, also attended the event to share his insights into business and reinvention in a challenging environment.

Bord Bia Supports and Plans for 2013

Bord Bia’s Marketing Assistance Programme provided assistance worth over €140,000 to horticulture companies in 2012 enabling them to enhance their capabilities and pursue new opportunities. The Supplier Development Programme, designed to provide targeted training and mentoring in this industry, facilitated five participants in securing new business to a value exceeding €1.2 million.

Addressing the audience this evening, Carol Marks, Development and Marketing Specialist, Bord Bia said “The challenges of recent years have inspired the industry to work harder, to work together, and to learn. In doing so, we are shaping an industry ready to make the most of the opportunities that lie ahead. Bord Bia is committed to playing its part in this journey. For instance, the development of the Bord Bia Quality Mark for plants has been well received by both the production and retail sectors and will have a significant role to play in the future growth of the industry.”

In 2013, Bord Bia will continue to promote the “It’s Garden Time” campaign to encourage the general public to make the most of their gardens throughout the year. The campaign directs consumers to the Bord Bia website, www.bordbia.ie/itsgardentime, where a range of tips and advice is available. The GLAS trade show, supported by Bord Bia, will also return this year to provide an environment geared for business and networking and is attended by key buyers and decision makers in the retail sector. Finally, Bord Bia’s annual gardening and lifestyle show Bloom will return to the Phoenix Park, Dublin for its seventh year from Thursday, 30th May until Monday, 3rd June 2013. For more information, visit www.bloominthepark.com.

Award Winners

Landscape Quality Awards

Landscape Special Awards

Garden Centre Award Winners

Garden Centre Quality Awards – Special Awards

Click here to View Photos of the Event

Source: HortiTrends News Room