SUPPLIER NEWS


Vitax appoints new area sales manager


L-R: National sales manager Mark Butler with Vitax’s new area


sales manager David Beech


Lakeland buying director moves on


Samm Swain has left Lakeland following nearly 10 years at


most


the housewares recently


as merchandising director. The retailer said: “Samm has left the business to


take on a new challenge in the form of an exciting independent new business opportunity.” Lakeland has appointed Steve Knights as an


chain; buying &


interim buying & merchandising director. Joining the business on August 12, Mr Knights “has ensured a smooth transition of the role and will provide strong leadership to the wider buying team prior to the recruitment of a permanent buying & merchandising director”.


Steve began his career initially in store management and then progressed to various buying roles for Halfords.


EP Barrus hires new area sales manager for garden division


Gardening specialist, Vitax, has announced appointment of a new area sales manager to cover customers across Avon, Wilts, Hants and Dorset following


the retirement of


Julian Goodhand earlier this year.


David Beech joins from Woodlodge Products, where he has spent the last five years leading a team of merchandisers, working with garden centres and retail outlets throughout the UK.


Starting his gardening career over 10 years ago with Stewarts Gardenlands, Mr Beech studied arboriculture before taking a


short break from the industry to become a fitness instructor, re-joining the profession five years ago.


Vitax has said Mr Beech will fit perfectly within the existing sales team and Mark Butler, national sales manager at Vitax, said: “David not only brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge, but also strong, key relationships which he has developed with multiple garden centres and retailers.


DIYWK-06SEP19-Benchmark_Layout 1 03/09/2019 14:26 Page 1


“David has already visited the majority of our customers to see how we can expand our existing product ranges as well as look for new opportunities.”


EP Barrus has extended its sales team with the appointment of Gary Bowness as area sales manager


covering


the North West and Midlands.


Mr Bowness brings over 15 years’ of sales experience, specifically in garden tools, gloves and accessories. Before joining Barrus, he previously represented several key brands within the industry. Barrus has a strong sales team working across the garden tool division in the UK and backed up with marketing, merchandising


and sales


support. The company continues to grow and expand following the additional warehouse space taken at the beginning of the year and the additional merchandisers to support our garden centre customers.


EP Barrus divisional sales manager Mark Hewett said: “We are thrilled to welcome another member of staff to Barrus and feel that Gary’s expertise is sure to make him a valued member of the team. Our


priority is


to continue to provide our customers with high levels of support and excellent service.”


T Vegtrug’s


On The Tools appoints former Jewson head of marketing


requirements


PEOPLE NEWS VEGTRUG


he new premises, which includes a warehouse and offices, has been custom built and fitted to suit for the


coming years, including the creation of a new video and photography studio. The site also incorporates a new product showroom, meeting room, and state-of-the-art video and conference centre. Vegtrug explained the decision to acquire the new site was made following continued expansion of the business and it believes the new premises will serve Vegtrug well as this growth continues. Vegtrug Limited was established


Online construction publisher, On The Tools, has appointed Clare Harding as head of


marketing, PR and Events for the new Electric House agency. Previously head of marketing for Jewson, she has been tasked with helping to launch the new agency, and supporting the business to grow.


Electric House will launch


in 2009 by founders Joe Denham and Paul Owen. Operating from a farm building and their dining


on October 1 and will combine the services of a social media and marketing agency model with an online media publisher.


Call to bookyour space BENCHMARK…..


THE GARDEN MARKET LEADER SUPPLEMENT provides valuable insight into the UK’s Leading Garden Market Operators, National Chains and Independent retailers, who indecently account for the largest part of the market, the supplement includes detailed analysis of the financial performance, sales densities, staff productivity, margins, stock turn and long term trends. There is simply no more effective way of reaching the industry’s top buyers and managers.


For further information or to book advertising space including online please contact Sallie Payne. Tel: 01622 699151 Email: spayne@datateam.co.uk


www.diyweek.net 8 DIY WEEK 06 SEPTEMBER 2019 06 FEBRUARY 2019 DIY WEEK 7


GROWTH W Garden planter manufacturer 26,000sq ft site in Colcheste Vegtrug HQ will be utilised a


Publication date: October


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