Politics, tourism and wine: Deco-Pak ticks all the boxes

Deco-Pak’s new ‘Quintessentially British’ range of birdhouses and feeders feature four daring designs – a garden shed, a London Underground sign, a wine rack and a mini mockup of number 10 Downing Street.

Now available to view on Deco-Pak’s website, this new for 2018 range has already been nominated for best Garden & Outdoor product at Spring Fair (NEC, 4^th-8^th February). The new additions are expected to be popular with those looking for gifts, collectors of quirky garden designs and fans of the original range, which continues to grow in popularity.   For example, the Red Lion Inn was most recently featured in the Sun’s gardening pages at the end of January to mark National Nestbox Week (14^th – 21^st February).

On the subject of a possible boost for garden centre tourism, Deco-Pak Director Rod Slater said: “Our partnership with US wild birdcare designer Garden Bazaar gives us a unique insight into what visitors want to see and buy. With 41.7m tourists set to visit here next year, after a record year for UK regions and nations outside of London, we know our customers will be interested in a slice of the pie. These birdhouses and feeders will, of course, be available to all of our customers in Europe and further afield, where we expect them to do well thanks to the value of the pound and a recent surge in popularity of the UK as a holiday destination.”

Birdhouses and Feeders

10 Downing Street feeder

Watch birds protest to the ministers of birdfeed with this tourist favourite. Features include window frame detail, shingled roof and chain for hanging. RRP £29.99

London Underground Nestbox

Another distinctive British Handmade from FSC plywood with access hatch. RRP £16.99

Garden Shed Nestboxes

Includes miniature details such as a wheelbarrow, spade, fork, terracotta pot and plant. There is a 32mm hole to allow smaller desirable birds, such as tits and house sparrows – deterring larger, predatory birds. RRP £19.99

Wine bottle feeder

With sparkling wine sales up 76% in the last five years, Deco-Pak has latched onto another trend and devised a great way of reusing empty bottles. The product features two rings made of exterior grade plywood and is able to incorporate a wine bottle (purchased and drunk separately) that can be filled with any type of birdseed. Simply upturn and let gravity do the work as the contents are drip-fed as birds peck away at the bottom. RRP £19.99

For the full list of finalists click here: https://www.giftoftheyear.co.uk/article.aspx?a=100020

RSPB State of the UK’s birds 2017: https://www.bto.org/research-data-services/publications/state-uk-birds/2017/state-uk-birds-2017

VisitBritain forecasts for 2018: https://www.visitbritain.org/tourists-uk-forecast-spend-record-level-2018

A boom in UK wine sales: http://www.decanter.com/wine-news/uk-sparkling-wine-sales-grow-76-in-five-years-377784/

About Deco-Pak

Deco-Pak is a supplier of decorative aggregates, paving, growing media, birdhouses, insect hotels, water features and statuary, specialising in creating unique point of sale displays, contemporary heritage-style packaging and hands-on customer service. The family-run company distributes all over the UK from their base in West Yorkshire, serving independent garden centres and national retail chains alike.

Deco-Pak’s water feature stands are now in 50% more centres this year than in 2017

Brigg Garden Centre, the Lincolnshire flagship store of the British Garden Centres family, is one of a number of independents who have recently upgraded their natural water feature range through decorative landscaping supplier Deco-Pak.

Commenting on the 2018 season so far, Robin Bosworth, Group Operations Manager said: “It’s been a quiet spring for us all – but that just means you have to think ahead and get smarter with your offering. With that in mind, versatile merchandising solutions such as Deco-Pak’s water feature plinths are just what we need, and we are positive we’ll see an uplift in sales in the category going forward.”

Uptake in Deco-Pak’s new water feature displays has increased by over 50% since last year, due in part to ease of installation and flexibility. Deco-Pak Director Rod Slater explains why: “The difference with these displays is simple, they come ready to “plug and play”, and can take up as little room as a single pallet space. Each display can be easily moved, formatted and height adjusted, so whether you want a more linear display, a 360° showcase or just a single sample, the choice is yours and our team are always available to help advise.”

The Eastern Stone collection features five premium handcrafted sandstone water features and statuary, including a handcrafted 90cm Buddha head and a striking 95cm tulip planter.

How to lay Porcelain Paving

There are two commonly suggested or recommended methods of laying porcelain paving, but each has its pros and cons, not least of which is the skill level required to achieve a high standard of finish. While there are umpteen different terms used to describe each method, we’ll go with ‘Full Wet Bed’ and ‘Thin Bed Adhesive’.

A third method relies on using pedestals but, just for now, this is a technique that is much less popular in Britain and Ireland than it is in mainland Europe, and so it is not covered any further on this page.

Full Wet Bed:

Advocated by several major suppliers, this method relies on carefully placing the tiles onto a leveled-out bed of standard sand/cement mortar, prepared to a wet consistency (slump of 50mm or more – Slump Class S2 or higher).
The mortar bed needs to be a 6:1 or a stronger mix of grit sand with ordinary portland cement (OPC) – see Contractors’ Mix – minimum of 20mm thick, and should be placed over a prepared sub-base or base. Most contractors are using 25-40mm thickness to ensure a bed with sufficient depth to create a rigid layer capable of supporting both itself and the porcelain paving units, although some are using considerably thicker beds, as much as 100mm depth in some cases.

The inclusion of a sub-base (or base) is essential. For the Wet Bed method, a 100mm deep sub-base of Type 1 material (or similar) is typical, although in exceptional circumstances a rigid base, usually mass concrete, will be used. Omitting the sub-base (or base) and placing the mortar bed directly onto a sub-grade is highly likely to result in the whole pavement failing in the short-medium term.

As with the Thin Bed Adhesive method described below, a Bond Bridge primer applied to the underside of the tiles is essential.

Joint Spacers

Using joint spacers (either proprietary paving joint spacers, plastic spacers as used in the window fitting trade, or even pieces of 6mm plywood) will help maintain a regular joint width between the units and also minimise the risk of accidentally spalling any vulnerable edges.

The tricky bit of this method lies in consolidating the tiles down to the correct falls and levels. This requires the receiving bed to be fairly accurate, but sufficiently proud to accept the tiles and allow them to be tapped down. Accordingly, judging the ideal level of the receiving bed and then getting the right degree of rippling in its surface to accommodate the tile is not as simple as some guides would have you believe.

Tapping Down

And then there is the ‘tapping down’. Admittedly, the tiles are tough, probably much stronger than one might expect, but they cannot be hammered. They will withstand a reasonable clonking, but too much force, too heavy a blow will probably cause a breakage.
However, there has to be enough of a tapping down to ensure that a sufficient proportion of the tile base is in direct contact with the supporting bed, so an overly gentle tap or two probably isn’t enough to get the 70% contact we would regard as the minimum requirement. Too little clonking will leave the tile resting on ridges of mortar with voids between, and so the bed will not provide a full support.

Trial and error is the only way to learn just how much surcharge, how much rippling, and how much clonking is needed to get the tile down to the perfect level, with the correct falls. Obviously, as more and more tiles are laid, the bed preparation will become second nature, but for the first few tiles, it’s really important to take time to judge the bed and the amount of settling that is possible.

This is what makes the Wet Bed method tricky for those unfamiliar with porcelain paving and the use of mortars.

Thin Bed Adhesive:

This method is favoured by those with many years’ experience using porcelain paving in Europe and would be our preferred method of installation. It is being promoted by some suppliers as a better option for the occasional installer and/or DIYer. While the fixing of the tiles might be considered easier using this method, the necessary preparatory work is more exacting than that for Wet Bed installation.
In this method, the tiles are laid in the same manner that would be used for flooring tiles inside the house. They are affixed to a pre-installed base using a specialist tile adhesive, which should be an outdoor grade polymer-modified cement-based goo. The adhesive is spread over the rigid base using a notched spreader to give a bed of uniform depth, and the tile is then pressed down onto the adhesive and settled down to falls and levels.

As with the Wet Bed method described above, a Bond Bridge primer should be applied to the underside of the tiles prior to placement unless the adhesive manufacturer specifically states that no such primer is required when used with porcelain paving tiles. It may be necessary to check with the adhesive manufacturer’s technical department because the guidance given on/with the packaging may not have been updated since porcelain paving became popular.

Bed Thickness

The thickness of the bed is usually specified by the adhesive manufacturer. Some will be as little as 3mm, but most will be 6-10mm.
The bed thickness is critical to establishing the finished level of the base onto which the tiles will be laid. To ensure a high standard of finish, the tiles need to be laid to falls and levels over a bed of uniform (or fairly uniform) depth. It’s not good practice and will make the job that much more difficult, if the bed is, say 4mm deep at one end and 10mm deep at the other.

So, the key to getting an even, uniform bed is to have an even, uniform base on which to lay it. In nearly all cases this will be a rigid concrete base which can be placed immediately prior to laying the tiles or can be done hours, days, or even weeks in advance.

The concrete base need not be reinforced: a simple 75-100mm thick slab of mass concrete, C7.5 or stronger, can be poured and retained by formwork to ensure the finished levels, once the plastic concrete is tamped and floated off, are within a millimetre or two of the levels needed to accommodate the bed and tiles.

Obviously, this concreting is an additional skill. Erecting shuttering and/or formwork, then placing, compacting and finishing concrete is a separate task to laying tiles of flagstones, but it is generally regarded as being relatively simple and well within the capabilities of a competent general builder, landscaper or DIYer

Check out our range of Milano Porcelain Paving today! Or to find out more contact us on Twitter.

Deco-Pak – 2017 in Review

For leading decorative aggregate, paving and decorative nest box supplier Deco-Pak, 2017 meant stepping up a level and refining its existing offering to focus its relevance to its core retail customers.

As one of Deco-Pak’s new products appeared live on the BBC’s unprecedented coverage of GLEE this September, much had already been set in motion behind the scenes throughout the year as the family company began realigning its business strategy to focus more on traditional garden centres as its main avenue for sales.

At the beginning of the year, the Yorkshire based landscaping specialist began by visiting the consumer media in London, with Company Director Rod Slater presenting revolutionary porcelain paving and other new products to gardening writers at the Garden Press Event.  Deco-Pak’s new insect hotels, fresh from winning a highly commended award at Spring Fair were also a big hit with journalists at the HTA/GIMA backed event. 

The company’s close involvement with GIMA continued in 2017, with Marketing Director Craig Hall confirmed as a member of the council for a second consecutive year.  Raising money for Greenfingers and Perennial were the main recipients of Deco-Pak’s charitable donations in 2017, with company representatives also taking part in fundraising at the GCA conference, completing the Garden Re-Leaf walk and fielding a team for the Perennial ‘Play the Pitch’ charity football tournament which raised approximately £15,000.

New products

New premium decorative birdhouses were launched at GLEE, including additions to the Heritage Stone Co. range and more Italian cobbles and pebbles for the Milano range.  One Penny & Half Penny stepping stones were launched to great reception, boosted by their early appearance on BBC Breakfast.  Glee was also used to showcase all-new merchandising solutions, including garden vignettes – space-saving cutaways placed between palleted merchandisers which allow for easier and more effective cross-merchandising. The innovative new sample trays and micro sample bags are the ultimate solutions to control consumers splitting bags, whilst showcasing unique decorative aggregates.

2018

Deco-Pak’s plans for the coming year include investment in deliveries, an increased presence at GLEE, and expanding with new members of the creative and sales teams.  The company will continue to source 95% of its products from within the UK, introducing new products and POS whilst also introducing a brand new packaging technology.

 

A Guide to Insect Hotels in the Garden

Our Insect hotels range features six key pieces in various sizes and colours. The Tower was a Gift of the Year Finalist in 2017 and now one of our best -selling lines.

Many gardeners often think about taking care of birds that visit the garden but not an awful lot of thought is given to the insects that also inhabit the garden. Deco-Pak has researched the average garden and subsequently introduced several innovative lines to the Garden Bazaar Range.

A key visitor to the British garden is the humble bumble bee which we should all consider giving some support to when the busy Summer comes to an end. Although most bees have vacated the garden now, ivy bees may still be out there looking for the late-flowering English ivy collecting whatever nectar is available to them.

From late September / October, most bees will be looking for shelter to get them through the Winter which is where Insect Hotels become the garden centrepiece. Key components to the hotels are logs, bark, bamboo and fir cones in various shapes and sizes to allow easy entry for all. The hotel is also a great spot for garden spiders.

Benefits of Insect Hotels

Encouraging biodiversity is good for the ecological balance in the garden. Since our gardens are home to a vast range of living creatures, in some cases over 2,000 different species of invertebrates it is important to try and conserve this wildlife. Giving these Insects a home can help your garden to prosper and help the conservation of vital wildlife. Gardens can flourish as these insects’ hotels will house pollinating bees, attract ladybirds and lacewings, both of which are natural aphid & greenfly (garden pests) predators.

Where to place your Insect Hotel

Solitary bees like to be warm so having the hotel on a south-facing wall is another consideration to aid their inhabitancy. Therefore, the best position for insect hotels is in sunlight or light shade, preferably 1.5m off the ground.

Bugs & Bees	Where they go	When to expect	In the Hotel	Garden Benefits
Solitary Bees	Bamboo Tubes	Spring / Summer	Laying eggs	Pollinating flowers
Ladybirds	wood shavings	Winter	Hibernate	Eat aphids (garden pests)
Lacewings	Columns and tubes	Winter	Hide & Hibernate	Eat aphids & greenflies (garden pests)
Other Invertebrates	Acorns and other crevices	All year round	Shelter and Hibernate	Wildlife conservation

Some interesting facts to make you think

• 8 out of 10 wildflowers could disappear without insect pollination

• Solitary bees make up the largest percentage of the bee population, with 90% of bees being in the solitary category

• Over its lifetime, a ladybird may consume as many as 5,000 aphids

To view our full range of Insect Hotels click here!

Feeding our feathered friends in style

Feeding the birds has become somewhat of a national pastime in the British garden. 60% of British households are thought to put out food for birds throughout the year – all for various reasons. From avid all year- round birds-lovers to simply the compassionate Winter feeder.

Whatever the urge to feed our feathered friends it will aid survival throughout the long Winter months and gets them fighting fit for the breeding season.

Garden Bazaar have designed a selection of innovative but practical bird feeder solutions all of which are ideal gifts for young and old. The Design Your Own Feeder is a popular gift for younger children whilst the British Collection features some of our best- selling lines namely, the Post Box, Telephone Box and Police Box feeder (a favourite amongst avid Dr Who fans).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All the feeders are made of high-quality FSC wood and are easy to clean and replenish. Bird Feeders attract many birds to the same spot and it is recommended that you clean your bird feeders every month to avoid transmission of disease.

Whatever your reason for feeding our feathered friends do it in style!

To view our full range of bird feeders, click here!

Deco-Pak commit to garden centres as Penny drops on live TV

At this year’s Glee, decorative aggregates specialist Deco-Pak announced it would be refocusing its business strategy, with garden centre customers at the heart of this bold move.

In the wake of ending  a business partnership with a discount retailer, Deco-Pak has set out a strategy for the year ahead that is better reflective of its working ethos, and will see the market-leaders focus on core business, enhance its portfolio of products and continue to create POS best suited to the market.

National news coverage

The business strategy announcement wasn’t the only highlight for Deco-Pak as the company also made the national news. In an unprecedented one-off broadcast live from the first day of the show, Deco-Pak’s One Penny stepping stone became the star of BBC Breakfast’s news as Steph McGovern presented it to visitors waking for the first day of the show.

Exciting new products & brand new merchandising ideas

Launching new premium decorative birdhouses, heritage gravels and Italian cobbles and pebbles, Deco-Pak used Glee to showcase its new merchandising solutions, and unique quality of service.

Deco-Pak also demonstrated at Glee that they are continuing to push the boundaries of what is normally expected from landscaping staples such as gravel, bark, pebbles and compost.  Deco-Pak’s garden vignettes are space-saving cutaways placed between palleted merchandisers which allow for easier and more effective cross merchandising.  Products available on garden vignette stands include the Chelsea Garden Range which now includes top soil, bark and John Innes multipurpose compost.

The company also introduced a new way of creating easier add-on sales and cross-selling opportunities for weed control, with dispensers attached to pallets.  Accompanied by gravel sample trays and sample bags, the new arrangement helps to engage browsing customers whilst discouraging bags being opened.  New aggregates this year included Deco-Pak’s Heritage Stone Co. Pearl Grey, as well as Milano Silver Granite and Rose cobbles and pebbles.

Deco-Pak Director Rod Slater said: “In my previous life managing garden centres, I was always passionate about creating great looking sales areas inside and out, whilst also making sure retail space was as profitable as possible. By investing more in the Deco-Pak Retail Theatre concept and other creative merchandising, we are moving away from discount retail and aiming to appeal more to traditional garden centres – and from the comments we received at Glee, so far it’s been the right decision.”

Talking exclusively to Gardenforum, decorative aggregate and paving specialist Deco-Pak reveal the effort – and risk – of developing new products that are streets ahead of the rest of the market. We also explore the level of effort and risk that goes into launching successful new products in the landscaping sector, and how garden centres can exploit the advantage they have over online.

Craig Hall, Marketing Manager for Deco-Pak said: “The pressure to launch a truly innovative product is a risk that only the most forward looking companies can take with confidence. It must not only solve a myriad of consumers’ problems, but also provide a lucrative enough margin and unique point of difference for retailers to even consider it.”

Deco-Pak’s latest product, the Glee award winning wood effect porcelain paving ticks every box imaginable. It’s anti-slip, non-fading, algae-resistant, frost proof, and stands up to a tonne of weight. The price, at £60 RRP a square metre, provides a cutting-edge product that retailers can make premium margins on. Also, the merchandiser strives for originality, with a vertical and horizontal display that somehow fits into a 2m x 130cm long space but with enough room to allow shoppers to visualise the product and get touchy-feely with the rough-sawn timber effect anti-slip coating.

It’s even been featured in Grand Designs – as a must-have for those looking for paving solutions that are a state-of-the-art, longer lasting, maintenance free alternative to decking.

Deco-Pak’s versatile porcelain paving range is unlike anything seen before in the market!

Craig added: “Every time we put the product in front of anyone – they’re blown away by the look, feel and quality of the product. The challenge is of course how to convey that online. But products like this actually present a unique opportunity for retailers to capitalise on their point of difference. With customers seeking out items that are simply too heavy to buy online, this is a great chance to show that the latest cutting edge products aren’t just on the web – they’re in the garden centre.”

Find out more
Visit www.deco-pak.co.uk, connect via twitter @deco_pak, or call the customer service team to find your nearest stockist on 01422 204394.

 

 

Deco-Pak Play Pit Sand Handy pack – approx. 10kg – RRP £2.99

Brand new medium size, comes with easy to carry handle. An ideal starter pack for small spaces.

Deco-Pak Play Pit Sand Large – approx. 15kg – RRP £3.99

Large but manageable size, perfect for tipping manually. The cleanest, safest way to start your own sand pit in the garden.

Deco-Pak’s Play Pit Sand features helpful additional on-pack content – and now a new website – designed to help create the complete educational play experience.

With eye-catching, colourful packaging and illustrations, the new Play Pit Sand is the full package – featuring how to information, examples of learning and sensory activities as well as a link to the new website – www.playpitsand.co.uk – which goes into more detail.

The website, launched this month, is an evolution in Deco-Pak’s packaging, and signals a commitment to providing a consumer facing brand to assist retailers and their customers.

Deco-Pak’s Play Pit Sand is safe, non-toxic and fully tested for BSEN1177 impact absorption and BSEN71-3 chemical toxicity. Popular with schools in the North East, the sand is also being sought after by other regional school purchasing boards across the UK. The company is raising awareness and funds for Greenfingers charity through sales of the product, the popular garden industry charity that helps childrens hospices to create and enhance outdoor spaces for their patients and families.