“After dealing with several past and current challenges, we are delighted to receive nine awards at the Virtual HTA Awards, as it shows that our hard work pays off,” says Mike Norris, Commercial Director at Newey, a supplier to the retail and wholesale market. Newey specializes in ornamentals production, with its wholesale division supplying young plants including perennial plugs and liners. In this article, Norris comments on why their plants are so successful, as well as overcoming the challenges of COVID-19, labor issues and Brexit. 
Four of Newey’s HTA Award winners. Above left to right: Delosperma Wheels of Wonder Hot Red; Hydrangea Little Spooky. Below left to right: SunSparkler Sedum Dream Dazzler; Jasminum Starry Starry Night.
“Cold weather influences our demand”
While they have been successful at the Virtual HTA Awards, where they won nine awards, Newey has had to deal with several severe challenges over the last years. “Like any other horticulture company, the start of the COVID-19 period was very challenging for us. Especially last year when everything started, we had all our products in the ground, but access to the market was restricted. Yet with the dedication and knowledge of our staff we were able to navigate through the season. Demand for our products have turned around and this year, we see a significant increase in demand with very strong sales. The last two weeks, however, have slightly interrupted the demand, as we have had unseasonably cold and rainy weather in the UK, and the demand for garden plants has significantly reduced.”
Labor and Brexit as additional challenges
As labor is a big challenge in horticulture, Newey is closely working together with Pro-Force, a UK labor company. “The availability of labor is a big challenge, so Pro-Force works hard to satisfy our demands for labor. It will remain a challenging aspect for our company however, and it is a key factor to consider when making our future decisions.” In addition, Brexit has posed another challenge, as it has made their export and import of flowers more difficult. “Export is a small percentage of what we do, but since Brexit we have noticed that it has become more difficult to export to the Republic of Ireland. In addition, there have been changes in biosecurity legislation, which have been affecting our imports since Brexit. There is now a new level of administration and paperwork that is required for our suppliers to ship to us, which is a new challenge that we have to face.”
“Winning nine HTA Awards is thanks to our partnerships”
Newey recently won nine awards at the Virtual HTA Awards, and Norris says that they are especially pleased by the success of Hydrangea ‘’Little Spooky’’ with it picking up a Gold + Best in the Shrubs & Climbers category.
Hydrangea Little Spooky
Norris explains why he thinks their plants were so successful at the awards. “We are proud of our network partners, with whom we have longstanding relationships, and we have created valuable long term relationships with Vitroflora , Plantipp, Dümmen Orange, Tesselaar and other breeder representatives. I think our focus on close cooperation is one of the key factors towards our successful plants. In addition, we have a successful track record of launching new products to the market, so we have a consistent performance, and we are confident with the products we launch, as we have a dedicated and experienced team to help us achieve this.”
How does Newey work?
Newey is part of the Greosn Group, which is active in multiple sectors of the market. Greosn acts as the parent company to Newey, Varfell Farms and Proforce. Varfell Farms is one of the largest daffodil growers in the UK while Pro-Force is also one of the largest suppliers of season labor to UK Horticulture and Agribusiness companies. Newey as a whole is active in many areas in the market. They have multiple growing locations including a JV operation in Lisbon and Desafio Jasmin LDA, and they operate over 200 acres of ornamental production in the UK. The wholesale division supplies growers with young plants and perennial plugs and liners. “As a group we are passionate about plants and our aim is to brighten up people’s homes and gardens.”
For more information:
Newey
Mike Norris
[email protected]
www.newey.com
Mike Norris, Newey: