Smart Solar celebrates its 10th Anniversary

Smart Solar, who also acquired the exclusive distribution rights for Haxnicks ‘love to grow' products in 2012, is celebrating its 10^th anniversary in 2013. Smart Solar manufactures and distributes solar powered lighting and water features to garden centres, retailers and mail order companies across the UK, Europe and the USA.

Founded and still led by Jonathan Stobart, Smart Solar has established a reputation for innovative products with technical excellence. Jonathan says, ”Our expertise in solar technology combined with product development has brought us huge success over the last decade."

Smart Solar employs 20 people in the UK at their Oxfordshire base, including a large product design department. Jonathan concludes, “To have grown to the size that we are is testament to the whole team, some of whom have been with me since the very beginning. We have a number of celebrations planned for 2013, after all, 10 years is quite an achievement!”

Haxnicks presents trophy at Garden Retail Awards

Haxnicks sponsored the Retail Outlet Under £3m Turnover Award at the Garden Retail Awards 2012 which was won by Sidmouth Garden Centre, who received their trophy from Smart Solar’s sales director Paul Knott. The Garden Retail Awards were held on Wednesday 7th November at London's Grosvenor House in Park Lane.

Last year was very strong for Sidmouth Garden Centre, but with the weather making things harder in 2012, this year the focus has been on service and margins through reducing expenditure without affecting service.

Smart Solar, which has recently acquired the distribution rights for Haxnicks ‘Love to grow’ product range was keen to support the Garden Retail Awards to demonstrate its commitment to the garden centre industry. 

Paul commented, “It was an honour to present the Haxnicks Retail Outlet Under £3m Turnover Award to Sidmouth Garden Centre in front of 350 industry guests. Haxnicks and Smart Solar both enjoy leading roles in this industry and it was great to share the evening with so many colleagues and friends.”