July 2011
Peat-free and composts and fertilisers manufacturer, Vital Earth, whose products are made from recycled garden waste, has collected two more industry accolades – runner up in the Garden Industry Manufacturers' Association (GIMA) Best of British and finalist in the same organisation's Supplier of the Year category.
Best of British reflects the presence of the union Jack flag on packaging, point of sale, literature and website developments and represents the company's local sourcing, environmental track record and commitment to carbon neutrality - plus the reassurance that British quality gives to customers. However, as well as recognising best in product development and marketing expertise, the GIMA awards also honour the Supplier of the Year, voted for by Garden Centre Association members, so a finalist result in this category is real recognition from the garden retail sector.
Commenting on the company's success, sales and marketing manager, Maryanne Stokes said, "Both results are brilliant news and represent the industry's recognition of our impact in the garden sector. To be a finalist in Supplier of the Year is particularly fantastic. We are probably only 1/50th of the size of many of the competitors and have only been in the retail market for around three years, so this is a remarkable achievement and a real tribute to the calibre of the Vital Earth sales team."
The GIMA awards, regarded by suppliers and retailers as the most prestigious in the industry, are judged by a panel of independent and influential judges drawn from the industry and representing top independent and multiple buyers and technical experts from the world of marketing and media. A glittering event in Manchester on July 14 with over 400 key industry people present was the perfect backdrop to announce the results.
February 2011
Ashbourne-based Vital Earth, whose organic peat free composts and natural fertilisers are made from recycled locally-sourced garden waste, has won the Association for Organics Recycling (AFOR) Jim Ballance Compost Marketing Award for the second time in three years. This latest success follows the launch of Vital Earth’s organic peat free growing media mixes into the professional grower and greenhouse sector. The company’s previous triumph in these awards was in 2009 in recognition of its launch into consumer gardening.
The win was announced at a gala dinner on February 10 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole, where AFOR rewards excellence and innovation across the composting industry. Vital Earth also scooped a runner up spot in the Local Authority Partnership Award.
Vital Earth’s commercial grower range is a highly technical product, for growing trees and shrubs as well as bedding plants for sale at retail. The source material is organic green and food waste collected in Derbyshire Dales, Derby, Staffordshire Moorlands, Shropshire and Stoke. The launch was timed to meet the needs of growers as more and more local authorities and commercial retailers specify organic peat free stock. It has led to additional opportunities to start working direct with local authority nurseries, supplying them compost made from their own green and food waste. This forms a ‘virtuous circle’ allowing local councils to go peat-free and hit the Government’s 2015 targets for going peat free.
Commenting on the win, Vital Earth managing director, Steve Harper said, “This is great news. It is recognition of the fact that we can produce a viable, high quality “professional” growing media allowing container/hardy nursery stock growers to switch to peat-free with confidence.”
Vital Earth now processes some 85,000 tonnes of green waste through its £12 million Ashbourne plant and its products are extensively endorsed by commercial growers as well as by consumer commentators like Which? Gardening,
The Association for Organics Recycling is the UK’s leading membership organisation for the composting and biological waste treatment industries. It is committed to the sustainable management of biodegradable resources and promotes the benefits of composting and other biological treatment techniques and the use of biologically treated materials for the enhancement of the environment, business and society.
November 2010
Vital Earth, the Ashbourne-based producer oforganic peat free composts and fertilisers made from locally sourced, recycled garden waste is the regional winner of The Green Award category in the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber Awards 2010. The category was sponsored by BASE.
The win means that Vital Earth will now go forward to compete in the national awards, where three company’s each stand to gain a £50,000 cash prize. The national awards will be announced at a Gala Dinner in London’s exclusive Hurlingham Club on November 25.
Neville Reyner, President of the British Chambers of Commerce said: “We’ve been delighted with the consistently high standard of confident companies out there that have been flying the flag for British business, despite the uncertain times we find ourselves in. These strong businesses have demonstrated that they are thriving - and they’re doing this through innovation, hard work and determination to succeed at the highest level.”
Vital Earth’s managing director, Steve Harper commented, “We are delighted to have won the Chamber’s Green Award as it demonstrates that Vital Earth is a business created entirely on an environmental premise. We have invested three years of research and seven years of development in creating a suitable in-vessel production method, using our own system control, that is totally sympathetic to the natural composting process. The team is thrilled that its accomplishments have been recognised in this way.”
Vital Earth takes organic garden waste and transforms it into saleable composts using patented technology at its site at Ashbourne, Derbyshire. It is pursuing a policy of carbon neutrality and looking to replicate its technological innovations nationwide, leading to considerably more positive impacts on the environment.
August 2010
Vital Earth, the Ashbourne-based manufacturer of environmentally-kind, organic peat free composts, made from locally sourced organic garden and food waste, is on track to represent the UK in the European Business Awards for the Environment. This follows news that the company is among the major winners in the Green Apple Awards – one of the few accredited feeder schemes into the international campaign. This is the third year running that Vital Earth has won a Green Apple Award.
Vital Earth will be presented with its Green Apple Award at the House of Commons later this year when the top winners go forward to represent their country at the Brussels event. They will also be invited to join the International Green Heroes, an elite group of environmental achievers who use their experience to help others – and the environment – around the world. The overall winner also receives a spa holiday for two at Aquacity, Slovakia, the world’s most environmentally-friendly resort.
The Green Apple Awards began in 1994 and attracted more than 500 nominations this year. They are organised by The Green Organisation, anindependent, non-political, non-activist, non-profit environment group dedicated to recognising, rewarding and promoting environmental best practice around the world.
Managing director, Steve Harper, commented, “It’s great news that the recycling of Ashbourne waste that would otherwise go to landfill has yet again been recognised nationally and internationally as an exemplar of environmental best practice. This is good for Vital Earth and good for the reputation of the whole town.”
July 2010
Vital Earth, the manufacturer of environmentally-kind, organic peat free composts, made from organic garden and food waste which would otherwise go to landfill, has triumphed at the Garden Industry Manufacturers’ Association (GIMA) Awards. The company won a GIMA Award for the Best Suppliers Information Website for its site, www.thegreenergardener.com, followed by a runner up award in the Best New Product category for its innovative Chicken Poo TM fertiliser.
The Vital earth website, www.thegreenergardener.com was described by TV gardener, Joe Swift of BBC Gardeners’ World, who presented the Awards as, “in the words of the judges, vibrant, personable and easy to use ….. this totally refreshing approach to consumer education about green issues….” Colourful, engaging and highly interactive, the site targets both established gardeners and younger enthusiasts taking up ‘grow your own’ for the first time and needing friendly advice from a green perspective. Created in house and tested for both content and style in consumer focus groups, the site includes advice, information on going peat-free, product and stockist updates, a gardening calendar, recipes, a club forum and an ‘ask the experts’ feature.
Chicken Poo TM, which was praised by the judges in the new product category, is an organic fertilizer, made form natural recycled chicken manure sourced entirely from British free range hens. Ideal for all kinds of vegetables, fruit, flowers, trees and shrubs, Chicken Poo TM comes in 7Kg tubs with an rrp of £7.99. The striking name and colourful ‘happy hens’ packaging is proving extremely motivating to consumers and the product is currently running at 1000% over budgeted sales
.
Marketing manager of Vital Earth, Maryanne Stokes commented, “This is a fantastic achievement on both counts and really shows the value of in house innovation and thorough testing with our consumers, both now standard practice at Vital Earth. I am really delighted for the whole team.”
May 2010
Vital Earth, the Ashbourne-based manufacturer of organic peat free composts made from recycled organic garden waste, has been named as one of two Highly Commended companies in the Recycling and Waste Management Business of the Year category of The National Recycling Awards.
Sponsored by Materials Recycling Weekly magazine, the National Recycling Awards took place on Thursday 15 July at London’s Hilton Hotel and they recognise the best recycling and waste management achievements in the UK in both the public and private sector. The Awards were presented by comedian, actor and writer, Hugh Dennis and over 575 people came together from a multitude of industries to acknowledge and celebrate best practice.
Vital Earth managing director Steve Harper commented, “Being highly commended in this category of The National Recycling Awards is an amazing achievement. Every year the standard of entries gets higher and higher and I’m delighted for all the team here at Ashbourne that Vital Earth has been recognised in this way.”
Vital Earth is now the largest producer of compost into the UK retail market and manufacturer of the largest range of organic peat free growing media in the UK.
May 2010
Organic, peat-free compost manufacturer, Vital Earth, whose well-established green credentials are based on a core range made from recycled garden waste, has won a silver award in the Chemicals and Fertilisers category at the Product of the Year Awards with its ‘Chicken Poo’ organic fertiliser. Made from natural recycled chicken manure, it is particularly innovative and contrasts with other products by being sourced exclusively from British free range hens. ‘Chicken Poo’, which was developed in house, has been tested in depth via consumer focus groups, whose views had a strong influence on its striking name and lively engaging presentation emphasising the natural ‘happy hens’ ingredients and British provenance.
The product is listed nationally in garden centres and in 350 Wilkinson’s stores and the quirky, colourful presentation, packaging and POS are proving extremely motivating to both established gardeners and younger enthusiasts taking up ‘grow your own’ for the first time.
Ideal as a fertiliser for all kinds of vegetables, fruit, flowers, trees and shrubs, Vital Earth organic Chicken Poo contains all the essential plant nutrients, all naturally derived. The product is supplied in tub form for easy use and storage and comes in a 7Kg size with an rrp of £7.99.
Commenting on the award, sales and marketing manager, Maryanne Stokes, “We’re thrilled to see that a product that was created by our own team, researched so well and enjoyed such a lot of consumer input, has come good in practice. We were very confident in the green credentials and the excellent presentation and we knew already the sales - and the sell-through - were fantastic, but an award like this shows that ‘Chicken Poo’ really is a winner.”
March 2010
James Trevette of Sidmouth Garden Centre is shown with Lucy Bailey, area sales manager at recycled, peat-free compost manufacturer, Vital Earth, discussing his prize - an Evoke3 radio - which he won as a result of a competition held on the company’s stand at GLEE.
The Evoke-3 portable stereo digital and FM Radio with EPG and recording is billed as the most advanced digital radio in the world according to Pure and James said that he was both shocked and thrilled to win it. Commenting on his success, he added, “This competition has also been a great excuse to talk to Vital Earth. They have some really good, environmentally-friendly products which are really topical at the moment.”
March 2010
Consumer ratings magazine, Which? Gardening has declared Vital Earth’s organic Multipurpose and organic Tub & Basket compost as Best Buys in its March report on container compost. This is the first time environmentally-friendly peat-free composts have outperformed all competitors. Organic Peat free compost manufacturer, Vital Earth, whose products are made from recycled organic garden waste, has over thirty compost products in its range including specialist blends like ericaceous compost for lime hating plants, the first such compost in a peat-free format.
Vital Earth Organic Multipurpose Compost has high levels of humates and nutrients which provide a reserve of water reducing the need to feed and encouraging sustained growth and with Vital Earth’s added nutrient blend, Multipurpose has a shelf life of more than 12 months. A 60 litre bag has an rrp of £5.99.
Vital Earth Organic Tub & Basket Compost is also completely organic, natural and peat-free. It is ideal for all kinds of hanging basket and container planting, both summer and winter, and will yield prolific blooms. It is packed in 60 litre bags and has an rrp of £5.99.
Marketing manager of Vital Earth, Maryanne Stokes commented, “This is such great news and a fantastic accolade for all concerned in ensuring that these products are so consistently top quality, and equally to the hard work of those who get them to market. It’s also a terrific endorsement of peat-free performance and the dedication of everyone involved in recycling green waste into effective, environmentally-friendly composts and fertilizers.”
March 2010
Vital Earth, producer of environmentally-friendly organic composts and fertilisers made from locally sourced, recycled organic garden waste has won both the Innovation in Technology Award and the Environmental Award in the Business Awards Derbyshire 2010. The first was sponsored and chosen by Rolls Royce of Derby and the second by Toyota UK. The accolades top a highly successful week in which two of the company’s organic compost products – Multipurpose and Tub & Basket - were voted Best Buys in the organic Container Compost category in Which? Gardening Magazine.
This is the first time that Vital Earth has entered the Derbyshire Business Awards, promoted by the Derby Evening Telegraph, and Vital Earth’s managing director, Steve Harper commented, “We are delighted to have won these awards as it demonstrates that Vital Earth is a business created entirely on an environmental premise. We have invested three years of research and seven years of development in creating a suitable in-vessel production method, using our own system control, that is totally sympathetic to the natural composting process. The team is bowled over that our accomplishments have been recognised in this way.”
Vital Earth takes organic garden waste and transforms it into saleable organic composts using patented technology at its site at Ashbourne, Derbyshire. It is pursuing a policy of carbon neutrality and looking to replicate its technological innovations nationwide, leading to considerably more positive impacts on the environment.
Febuary 2010
Organic, peat free compost manufacturer, Vital Earth, whose well-established green credentials are based on a core range made from recycled garden waste, has won best new retail product at the GAN show with its ‘Chicken Poo’ organic fertiliser. Made from natural recycled chicken manure, it contrasts with other products in this category by being sourced exclusively from British free range hens. The product has been rigorously tested for performance, but also tested in depth with consumers, whose views had a strong influence on its striking name and lively engaging presentation emphasising the natural ‘happy hens’ ingredients and British provenance.
The product is listed nationally in garden centres and in 350 Wilkinson’s stores. The quirky and colourful name, packaging and POS are extremely motivating to both established gardeners and younger enthusiasts taking up ‘grow your own’ for the first time.
Ideal as a fertiliser for all kinds of vegetables, fruit, flowers, trees and shrubs, Vital Earth Chicken Poo contains all the essential plant nutrients, all naturally derived. The product is supplied in tub form for easy use and storage and comes in a 7Kg size with an rrp of £7.99.
Commenting on the win, sales and marketing manager, Maryanne Stokes, “We’re thrilled to see that a product that researched so well and enjoyed such a lot of consumer input, has come good in practice. We were very confident in the green credentials and the excellent presentation and we knew already the sales - and the sell-through - were fantastic, but winning an award like this at a lovely show like GAN just puts the icing on the cake. Chicken Poo really is a winner.”
August 2009
Organic, peat free compost manufacturer, Vital Earth, whose well-established green credentials are based on a core range made from recycled garden waste, has been shortlisted in the Green Retail Initiative category of the 2009 edie Awards for Environmental Excellence. Also on the shortlist are Office Depot, Cadbury’s, Enact Energy Management (Tesco home insulation) and Faithful & Gould (Tesco Cheatham Hill).
Vital Earth, which describes itself as the only one-stop-shop for 100% natural, 100% organic, 100% peat free, 100% sustainable and 100% UK-sourced green growing media, set out the case for the green alternative in today’s garden retail and was able to demonstrate massive percentage growth since the launch of products like the first peat-free ericaceous compost and other formulations such as seed & cutting compost still only rarely found in a green, environmentally friendly format.
The final round of judging will take place on September 8 in London and the winners will be announced on November 12 at an awards ceremony held at the Hurlingham Club in Fulham.
Commenting on the shortlisting, managing director, Steve Harper, said, “We are delighted to be ranked alongside brands like Cadbury’s when it comes to retail performance in the green arena. This is great news for Vital Earth as a company and great news for garden retailers who stock Vital Earth products.”
July 2009
Maryanne Stokes wins Enterprising Business Woman of the Year Award
Maryanne Stokes, sales and marketing manager of organic peat free compost manufacturer, Vital Earth, whose products are all made from recycled garden waste, has won the Enterprising Business Woman of the Year in the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber’s Enterprising Women’s Excellence Awards.
The award was presented on July 3 at a ceremony at Eastwood Hall Conference Centre by Dawn Whitemore of the event sponsor, University of Derby Corporate. There were nine finalists at the event, which drew entries from a wide range of organisations, including businesses, social enterprises and charities.
Presenting the award, Dawn explained that Maryanne’s success was a result of her having taken Vital Earth’s retail business from 70K to 300K, opening over 200 new accounts including two major multiples in the process. To achieve this level of growth, she had to create a ‘one stop shop’ range of over 30 products, all with completely new packaging, point of sale and marketing support and recruit and train a sales force of five. Through PR, advertising and the winning of awards for the company, she has built the company’s garden retail reputation to a point where it is recognised as one of the star performers in the industry.
The Chamber’s head of events, Rachael Buxton, said: “We were very pleased with the strength and variety of entries which reflect the wide range of fields in which women are not only doing well but leading the way.”
Maryanne Stokes commented, “I’m delighted and actually quite overwhelmed to have won this. It’s a real honour to be recognised in this way, both for me personally and for Vital Earth as a company.”
Vital Earth manufactures an extensive range of high performance, environmentally-kind, organic, peat free composts, all made by recycling garden and food waste which would otherwise go to landfill. This virtuous circle process, which converts locally-sourced garden waste into valuable garden care products, is the ultimate in sustainable gardening.
29th June 2009
The Grocer Gold Awards recognise the best of the best in grocery retail for service, initiative and commitment. Held at The Dorchester, this event is the most hotly contested in the food and drink industry.
Launched in 2003, The Grocer wanted to break the mould by creating a different kind of scheme; one that would make a truly positive statement about the great work being done by the companies in this fast moving industry. With that in mind, the awards are focussed on key business areas such as innovation and customer satisfaction.
Many of the awards are based on exclusive research conducted by The Grocer and the remainder are based on the opinions of a panel of judges drawn from leading figures in the industry.
Visit the The Grocer Gold Awards here
25th June 2009
Over 360 stars of the garden industry hailed the best and brightest in the trade at the annual GIMA Awards, held in the splendid surroundings of its new venue, the Four Pillars Hotel, South Cerney in Gloucestershire.
With TV's fabulous Philippa Forrester hosting the evening guests saw leading suppliers in eighteen closely fought categories covering product and marketing carry off sought after GIMA Awards that will enhance the reputations of their products, their marketing and their businesses for years to come.
“This industry is good at working together and at times like this it is even more important that we do so, this evening is always a good time and an invaluable meeting point to set discussion going towards the future” said Jane Lawler GIMA President.
March 2009
Vital Earth recognised as ‘A Green Hero’
Peatorganicfree and 100% recycled organic composts manufacturer, Vital Earth, whose products are made from recycled garden waste, has been awarded a Green Heroes 2009 Wall Shield by The Green Organisation, a not-for-profit body that recognises environmental best practice around the world.
Presented to Vital Earth by Professor David Bellamy OBE at a ceremony on board the Royal Yacht Britannia, the Shield follows the Green Apple Award won in 2008 and recognises Vital Earth’s ‘Where Technology Combines with Nature’ initiative, which sums up the company’s business model. The judges commented on the creation of “a viable outlet for the thousands of tonnes of food and garden waste going to landfill each year. The £8 million development now generates a very high quality peat-free natural compost which is 100% recycled, locally sourced, and consistently high quality.”
Vital Earth’s managing director, Steve Harper said in response to the Award, “The Vital Earth range is now the most credible and comprehensive ‘green’ offer in the compost, growing media and fertilizers market. It covers all the obvious retail essentials and includes specialist products like Ericaceous Compost, tapping into consumer demand. It’s great to be recognized as a real contributor to green initiatives around the world.”
Vital Earth products are all 100% recycled, and made entirely from composted green materials and co-products of the forestry and food industries. Every pack bought represents a reduction in society’s landfill needs.
February 2009
Vital Earth wins Jim Ballance Marketing Award
Peat free and 100% recycled organic composts manufacturer, Vital Earth, whose products are made from recycled garden waste, has won the Association for Organics Recycling’s Jim Ballance Compost Marketing Award, following the launch of ten new products, the
re-branding and repackaging of its range and a substantial commitment to PR and advertising. The win was announced at a gala dinner on Tuesday 27 January at the National Motorcycle Museum, where The Association for Organics Recycling rewards excellence and innovation across the composting industry.
Vital Earth won the Jim Ballance Award as a result of expanding its range in garden retail, supported by a 2007 WRAP report, showing 28% of gardeners believed climate change affected their own garden and how even in 2005, 19% of gardeners were already choosing peat-free compost.
The relaunch involved major re-branding, adding ten new products, all with specialist high performance uses, repackaging the range with consumer-friendly colour coding and hints and tips on usage, developing new literature at point of sale, and communicating these initiatives to the garden trade through PR and advertising. The judges were particularly impressed with the responsive nature of Vital Earth’s relaunch, based on sound marketing research and perceived market needs; refinement of products, promotional activities and the demonstrable success of the campaign through increased growth in distribution outlets.
With its range now at over 30 products, Vital Earth is the ideal choice for 100% natural, 100% sustainable and 100% UK-sourced organic green growing media, with every pack bought representing a reduction in landfill and greater protection for peat bogs.
The Association for Organics Recycling is the UK’s leading membership organisation for the composting and biological waste treatment industries. It is committed to the sustainable management of biodegradable resources, promotes the benefits of composting and other biological treatment techniques and the use of biologically treated materials for the enhancement of the environment, business and society.
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Vital Earth Ltd.
Blenheim Road
Airfield Industrial Estate
Ashbourne
Derbyshire
DE6 1HA