Thank you to all growers and retailers who took the time to attend Nursery Trade Day and stop by our stand; we sensed visitor numbers were up on the previous year.
For our team, the planning and energy required to ensure new products are ready, the website and social channels are updated, and print marketing is completed make for a busy time. And it all culminates in just one day surrounded by industry peers. But it is absolutely worth it!
Events like Trade Day keep our finger on the pulse. It is a privilege to mix with our customers in one room and hear firsthand about the challenges and goals for the road ahead.
What you told us…
Growers still find it tough out there, but did seem optimistic for a decent Spring. The OCR cut was announced on the same day, so it made for some positive discussion and is welcome news for the economic recovery
We received excellent feedback on our new products, especially the Heat Mats for faster germination, propagation and growth. Nursery Carts were popular too, with a few orders taken on the day. Our LED Nursery Trolleys for stimulating plant growth were met with interest, but the Ebb & Flood Insert Trays in the trolley had you talking most. Yes, they are a cool product for efficiently watering plant roots.
Being able to see and touch our new 28T Tray was beneficial. Most of you had heard of it but seeing it in action on the Da Ros Transplanter with Dibbling Station was invaluable. Quite a few customers will ease it into their operations as they phase out their old 28T Thermoformed ones, which is a smart move for cost savings. Talk to us about transitioning into the new 28T Tray or embracing Nursery Automation – we can look at all options, including a suitable finance plan.
Sharing our in-house magazine Grow Smart proved to be a popular giveaway. Feedback was encouraging and it was great to see people leafing through it during the day. Our vision is to share interesting stories of Nursery Automation and Greenhouse innovation. Issue II is currently underway.
Conversations about Coir …
Coir as a sustainable and cost-effective growing medium continues to be met with enthusiasm. Trade Day was a good chance for growers to enquire about our free Coir Trials. A trial allows customers to compare the results of Coir against existing potting mixes. This risk-free approach lets you see firsthand Coir’s positive impact on plant health, growth rates, and overall crop yields.
Retailers swung by…
It was encouraging to see many retail customers throughout the day. We know it’s hard to leave the shop floor. Many of you talked about gearing up for a strong season of trading in Spring. We gave away plenty of The Gardener Gloves and Secateurs. The new Liquid Composter Tank was met with enthusiasm, particularly as today’s shopper is environmentally aware.
Good enquiry about the new steel Retail Display Units too, we look forward to seeing these units in your stores and working hard to increase sales.
What a fantastic day, made even better by a room full of people believing in the industry and the path ahead.
