Lincolnshire garden products giant sold out of administration

Lincolnshire garden products supplier Gardman has been sold out of administration.

Westland has bought Gardman and says it’s ‘business as normal’ following its acquisition of one of Europe’s leading consumer garden product firms.

The deal includes all trading assets, stock, infrastructure and Gardman brands, which include Cole and Bright, Grow It, Moulton Mill and Gardman Wild bird care.

A statement from Westland said: “This acquisition will bring much needed stability for our customers and to the Gardman business. The immediate focus will be to work with all customers to provide as much continuity as possible and ensure a smooth transition over the coming weeks.

“The purchase of Gardman provides the opportunity to put a greater focus on core gardening by joining together the product strengths in Westland and Crest with those of Gardman. The growth of wildlife, the increased interest in the outdoor space and the opportunity to re-energise propagation and growing were factors in purchasing the business.”

Edward Conroy, managing director at Westland, said: “We have always believed that Gardman is an important part of the gardening landscape, and we are committed to maintaining this for the long term.

“Gardman is fundamentally a strong business with good products. Our focus is to work together with all customers to make the transition simple and clear to all. It is imperative that in the coming days we keep our lines of communication open with customers and stakeholders alike. Westland is focused on delivering a strong future for Gardman categories which can only thrive from being part of the Westland family. For now, it’s very much business as usual for all concerned.”